Tokyo - The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd., announced that Yokohama HAMATITE (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (YHHC), a key production and sales location of windshield sealants for passenger cars in China, and Yokohama Hoses & Coupling (Hangzhou) Co., Ltd. (YHCC), assembly and sales location of hydraulic hoses for construction machinery in China, had achieved "complete zero emissions"*1 - that is, no waste subject to direct landfill disposal. In September 2010, Yokohama Rubber conducted on-site investigations of all contractors commissioned to dispose of waste from the plants, confirming achievement of "complete zero emissions." This was the first such achievement at a key overseas location other than for tire production.

YHHC and YHCC began efforts toward "zero emissions"*2 - landfill disposal less than 1% of total waste - in October 2008. They first worked on classification (seiri) and proper storage (seiton) of waste - known as "2S" activities: classifying waste from production into six kinds and waste from offices into seven. They then endeavored to measure all waste and record it. In addition, they established a centralized waste storage place on their shared premises, and divided all waste according to kind. They have strived to improve accuracy in managing amounts of waste generated and its disposal through proper storage and record keeping. In January 2009, they began regular "2S patrols" to ensure classification and proper storage of waste. The entirety of the two companies, with the participation of each of their employees, has worked to achieve the goal, including by erecting signboards to promote waste separation and energy conservation, and posting environmental pledges by individual employees. Continuing their research on new recycling/disposal methods, they will work next on achieving "100% waste recycling."*3

Under a basic policy of asserting world-class strengths in technologies for protecting the environment, as stated in its "Medium-Range Management Plan: Grand Design 100 (GD100)," the Yokohama Rubber Group has endorsed the concept of "top-level environmental friendliness in production." A priority issue in that declaration is the reduction of waste emissions at domestic and overseas production sites. Domestically, all eight of Yokohama's own production sites have maintained "complete zero emissions" since March 2006, and had achieved 100% recycling of industrial waste by the end of FY2009.

All overseas production sites aim at achieving "complete zero emissions" by the end of FY2011. Along with Yokohama Tire Philippines Inc. and Hangzhou Yokohama Tire Co., Ltd., key production and sales locations for passenger car tires in the Philippines and China, respectively, having met that goal, the Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) Co., Ltd., a key production and sales location for passenger-car, truck and bus tires in Thailand, has achieved "zero emissions."

*1: No waste is subject to direct landfill disposal.
*2: Less than 1% of the total waste volume is subject to direct landfill disposal.
*3: No waste generated in the course of business activities is subject to final disposal (= landfill disposal + incineration without effective utilization).