The Environment
Effluent and waste
KPI
Responsible Departments
Our position and Targets
Review of FY 2022 Activities
Introduction of Initiatives
Future challenges
KPI
Move the screen to the left or right to see the table information
| Item | FY 2021 results | FY 2022 results |
|---|---|---|
| Waste Disposal | 51,884 ton | 48,865 ton |
| Achievement of total zero-emissions |
Landfill rate 1.63% Percentage of bases achieving target 84.40% |
Landfill rate 1.93% Percentage of bases achieving target 82.93% |
| Water quality and total wastewater emissions by type of discharge | Surface water 4,838,000 m3 Groundwater 0.0 m3 Sewerage 1,226,000 m3 Others 398,000 m3 |
Surface water 4,763,000 m3 Groundwater 0.0 m3 Sewerage 1,170,000 m3 Others 364,000 m3 |
| Total number of serious leaks and amount of wastewater leaked | None | None |
| Number of incidents of non-compliance with water quality/quantity permits, standards and regulations | None | None |
| Total quantity of hazardous waste transported, imported or processed, and percentage of waste that was transported internationally | NA | NA |
| Waterways and connected habitats affected by wastewater discharge — locations, size, conservation status, and value of biodiversity | NA | NA |
Responsible Departments
Each business location
Our position and Targets
Why is “Effluents and Waste” a critical issue to be addressed?
Explanation of the reason and background
We believe that minimizing the impact of our business activities in Japan and overseas on the environment will lead to sustainable operations. Accordingly, we believe that it is important for effluents and waste to be minimized as much as possible in a form with a low environmental impact.
Vision (attainment goal) / target
Mid-term targets are set for water use in Japan and overseas.
Based on these targets, and after confirming water risks and the status of wastewater, we will improve recycled water use and ultimately aim for a closed system.
We will work to achieve a reduction of 1% in waste materials per unit of waste, and aim for the attainment and maintenance of 100% recycling*1. We will then aim to achieve total zero-emissions*2 at all our production bases.
Specially managed industrial wastes such as PCB, asbestos, chlorofluorocarbons, and mercury, etc., will be appropriately processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
Based on these targets, and after confirming water risks and the status of wastewater, we will improve recycled water use and ultimately aim for a closed system.
We will work to achieve a reduction of 1% in waste materials per unit of waste, and aim for the attainment and maintenance of 100% recycling*1. We will then aim to achieve total zero-emissions*2 at all our production bases.
Specially managed industrial wastes such as PCB, asbestos, chlorofluorocarbons, and mercury, etc., will be appropriately processed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.
- 1 100% recycling: Achieve zero final disposal (= direct landfilled amount + incineration disposal amount resulting in ineffective use)
- 2 Total zero-emissions: Make the direct landfilled amount zero.
Measures for vision achievement
- We will introduce water recycling facilities, increase recycled water use, and reduce the volume of water discharge.
- Even in the case of business locations that are legally entitled to have waste disposed of in landfill sites, we will look for and select industrial waste disposal contractors that do not conduct landfilling, and contract with them to undertake recycling processing.
- The processing of PCB-containing devices will be conducted within the deadline specified by law.
Review of FY 2022 Activities
At overseas production bases in areas with high water risks (Thailand and India), closed systems have been introduced at the time of plant construction, and there is minimal water uptake and no water discharge.
The table below shows the volume of water discharged.
The table below shows the volume of water discharged.
Overseas production increased, but the effluent discharge amounted to 6,298 thousand m3 (down 2.63% from the previous year). Effluent in Japan decreased 2.3% from the previous year, as leakage countermeasures also continued.
Non-compliance with water quality/quantity permits, standards, and regulations
Move the screen to the left or right to see the table information
| FY 2021 | FY 2022 | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of non-compliance incidents | 0 | 0 |
| Penalties (financials and/or operational) | None | None |
| Fines | None | None |
| Guidance/Enforcement orders | None | None |
Waste volume of domestic and overseas groups
Despite the increase in production volume, the total waste volume (amount processed) for the entire domestic and overseas group in FY2022 was 48,865 tons, a 5.8% reduction from the previous year, as a result of efforts to improve production efficiency and quality.
We have been working to achieve complete zero emissions at all production sites in Japan and overseas through recycling.
In 2020, 677 tons (1.40%) and 857 tons (1.63%) were landfilled in FY2021.
In FY2022, there was an increase in production, which resulted in an increase to 927 tons (1.93%).
We will continue our efforts to achieve complete zero emissions and recycling treatment.
We have been working to achieve complete zero emissions at all production sites in Japan and overseas through recycling.
In 2020, 677 tons (1.40%) and 857 tons (1.63%) were landfilled in FY2021.
In FY2022, there was an increase in production, which resulted in an increase to 927 tons (1.93%).
We will continue our efforts to achieve complete zero emissions and recycling treatment.
PCB Waste Storage and Management
We properly store and dispose of used PCB-containing equipment in accordance with laws and regulations. 10.5 tons of PCB-containing equipment was disposed of in FY2022.
In 2023, we will continue to properly dispose of PCB-containing equipment in use.
In 2023, we will continue to properly dispose of PCB-containing equipment in use.
Hazardous Waste Disposal Flow
Introduction of Initiatives
At the Onomichi Plant, we have improved and strengthened water filtration capabilities, worked to stabilize water quality, and succeeded in significantly improving the period of possible repeated use.
Amount of waste material generated at production bases in Japan
The amount of waste generated in FY2022 was 13,569 tons, down 5.7% from the previous year, and the basic unit of waste generated (per net sales) also improved by 2.8% from the previous year.
This was due to improved yield amid increased production volume. On the other hand, the lower basic unit is due to disposal costs remaining high.
This was due to improved yield amid increased production volume. On the other hand, the lower basic unit is due to disposal costs remaining high.
The processing flow for waste materials at production bases in Japan during fiscal year 2022 was as follows.
1) Excluding general industrial waste
2) Consumer paper manufacturing waste, tree planting material, various consumer waste
2) Consumer paper manufacturing waste, tree planting material, various consumer waste
In order to prevent improper disposal such as illegal dumping, local audits of all our processing contractors are conducted every year. In fiscal 2022, although under COVID-19, we conducted 100 audits in Japan, including Group companies, and 100 audits at overseas factories to confirm that waste was properly disposed of.
Future challenges
- Selection of overseas production bases of industrial waste disposal contractors that don’t conduct landfilling
- Development of low-water-use facilities, and review of and investment in closed systems
- Formulation of disposal plans for devices that are currently in use which contain low concentrations of PCB
- Consider increasing the effective recycling value by increasing the ratio of valuables from industrial waste
