Environmental Report 2018

Zero Emissions

The JAE Group makes effective use of resources by reducing general waste and consuming less paper, while promoting recycling and the sale of valuable resources through the exhaustive sorting of waste, such as scrap plastic and metal.

Zero Emissions Activities

After launching its zero emissions efforts in fiscal 2000, JAE achieved a recycling rate of 99% in fiscal 2004. This level reached a high point of 99.8% in fiscal 2014. As a result, the goal was raised to over 99.5% in fiscal 2015 and to over 99.9% in fiscal 2017.

 We sought to sell valuable waste such as plastic and metal waste and worked to reduce costs for waste treatment. The sale of valuable waste contributes to resource saving and the reduction of CO2 over the life cycle of products. The Group aims to achieve even higher rates of sales.

Note: The JAE Group defines zero emissions as achieving a recycling rate of 99.5% or higher for waste defined by local ordinances, excluding waste that is disposed of by incineration and simple landfills.
 
Change in Waste Treatment
(Note: Valuable resources are not included in the fiscal 1999 and 2000 figures.)

Efforts for Proper Disposal of Waste Materials

The JAE Group is implementing proper disposal of waste materials in accordance with Japan's Waste Management Law. The Group verifies the appropriateness of subcontractors that handle all types of industrial waste, general waste, and valuable resources at the time of contract signing and thereafter by periodically checking their licenses and performing on-site inspections.
 In fiscal 2017, we created a check list to clarify items to be checked and points to be changed for disposal contractors and to enhance communication with them. 

Main Activities in Fiscal 2017

The main efforts to reduce wastes are shown below.
  • Promotion of waste material recycling (JAE)
    We are reviewing the details on disposal of each type of waste with a view to advancing our disposal technology while working to improve recycling quality and reduce disposal costs.
    We are pursuing value-added recycling, such as removing metal from complex waste, by prioritizing efforts on waste that is discharged in large quantities due to increased mass production.
     
  • Promoting the recovery of valuable waste plastics (JAE, HAE, YAE)
    The JAE Group is striving to improve the sales rate of waste plastics by thoroughly sorting them during recovery, promoting reuse within the company, liaising with recycling firms, and other measures.
     
  • Promoting the recovery of valuable waste metals (HAE, YAE, SAE)
    Exhaustive efforts to sort and recover waste metals contribute to efficient resource utilization and are helping to improve the rate of wastes which were sold.
     
  • Recycling cleaning fluids (YAE)
    To promote the recycling of cleaning fluids, the company completely separated the recovery of waste oil and waste fluids and redefined them as saleable substances, rather than waste, reducing waste to zero.
     
  • Reducing waste by lowering process defects (HAE, YAE, SAE)
    The company is cutting waste by reducing the rate of defects, setting targets for the process defect rate and so on. The defect rate was reduced in line with the target by improving quality and workability through measures such as upgrading tools and procedures, reinforcing component target value management, and enhancing the skills of workers. This resulted in commensurate waste reductions.
    The company will continue its efforts toward eradicating defects and promoting manufacturing that is environmentally friendly.