Resource Recycling
Reduction of Waste
- Objectives
- Continue checking the status of waste treatment and the self-check of waste management at each office based on the Industrial Waste Management and Waste Management Regulations to ensure the appropriate waste disposal
Establishment of Rules regarding Waste Disposal
To ensure compliance with the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, we established a Groupwide system for managing waste, selected a general manager of Groupwide waste, and assigned waste management officers and waste management representatives at respective offices (15 offices) to enable systemized waste management. In addition, we established the Industrial Waste Management and Waste Management Regulations and related procedures to manage waste appropriately.
Groupwide System for Managing Waste (Conceptual Diagram)
Waste Materials and Recycling
To reduce the amount of waste generated, we promote appropriate recycling*1 and implement recycling-oriented initiatives such as outsourcing to waste disposal companies. We also make efforts to minimize the volume and weight of containers and packaging. As a result, we reduced the amount of waste generated in fiscal 2018 by 864 tons year on year for a total of 4,564 tons, with emissions per unit of sales down 10%. The rate of final landfill disposal amount*2 was 0.2% and we will continue striving to reduce waste.
- *1. Includes thermal recycling
- *2. Proportion of final landfill disposal amount relative to total waste generated
Scope of calculation: Entire Taisho Pharmaceutical Group
Waste Emissions and Recycling Rate
| Fiscal year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Waste generated (tons) | 5,378 | 6,277 | 5,743 | 5,428 | 4,564 |
| Recycling rate (%) | 99.7 | 99.8 | 99.8 | 99.8 | 99.8 |
| Final landfill disposal amount (tons) | – | – | – | – | 10.6 |
| Rate of final landfill disposal amount (%) | – | – | – | – | 0.2 |
Consumption of Raw Materials and Other Materials / Purchased Volume of Copier Paper
| Fiscal year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raw material consumption (1,000 tons) | 15.8 | 16.3 | 17.4 | 17.3 | 14.9 |
| Consumption of other materials* (1,000 tons) | 75.0 | 68.6 | 67.8 | 65.7 | 59.5 |
| Purchased volume of copier paper (tons) | 130.1 | 112.5 | 118.3 | 109.1 | 102.7 |
- * Four materials subject to the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law
Environmental Consideration in Containers and Packaging
Environment-Friendly Design
After a product is used, the container and packaging become waste and are therefore a burden on the environment. To reduce this load, we examine the viability of designing products with lower environmental load.
Compliance with Containers and Packaging Recycling Law
We fulfill our duties as a business operator by outsourcing product recycling to the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association. Total outsourcing expenses associated with product recycling in fiscal 2018 was ¥123.72 million for glass bottles, paper containers and packaging, plastic containers and packaging, and PET bottles. A breakdown of these outsourcing expenses for each material can be found on the website of the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association.
Outsourcing Expenses for Product Recycling in Fiscal 2018
| Container type | Glass bottles |
|---|---|
| Paper containers and packaging | |
| Plastic containers and packaging | |
| PET bottles | |
| Outsourcing expenses (after settlement) | ¥123.72 million |
Total Weight of Specified Containers and Packaging
| Fiscal year | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total weight of specified containers and packaging (1,000 tons) | 75.0 | 68.6 | 67.8 | 65.7 | 59.5 |
Containers and Packaging Emissions, Recycled Amount and Recycling Rate (Fiscal 2018)
| Glass bottles | Paper | Plastic | PET bottles | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions (tons) | 52,682.2 | 1,174.1 | 1,643.9 | 4.9 | 55,505.1 |
| Amount recycled (tons) | 16,299.9 | 32.1 | 348.0 | 2.3 | 16,682.2 |
| Recycling rate | 30.9% | 2.7% | 21.2% | 46.3% | 30.1% |
Management of Water Resources
Effective Use of Water Resources
Taisho Pharmaceutical uses water as a raw material for energy drinks as well as for cooling, heating and cleaning equipment. Water is also required when people take medication. Since water is an essential resource for our business activities, Taisho Pharmaceutical has positioned sustainable use of water resources as a critical activity.
Water consumption in fiscal 2018 was 707,000 m3, a decrease of 8.1% compared with the previous fiscal year, and the rate of internal recycling of water such as in coolants was 2.1%.
Initiatives for Water Recycling
Taisho Pharmaceutical is working proactively to use recycled water as an alternative water source in the face of concerns over the shortage of available water due to global warming and the impact on ecosystems due to the development of new water resources. By doing so, we are contributing to the realization of a sustainable recycling-oriented society.
As an example, wastewater from the Hanyu Factory in northern Saitama Prefecture undergoes biological treatment, coagulation/sedimentation and filtration before the organic matter is removed and it is discharged into an urban regulating pond. This water is then reused for agriculture in surrounding areas via rivers. A portion of the water is collected at the Hanyu Factory and treated before it is used as cooling water in production facilities and for watering plants and trees.
In addition, cooling water and cleaning water are reused at other factories, and rainwater is used for watering plants and trees at Head Office and branch offices.
Water Consumption (by Type)
| Fiscal year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water consumption (10,000 m3)* | 82.5 | 84.0 | 83.0 | 76.9 | 70.7 |
| Tap water | 27.0 | 25.8 | 25.8 | 23.7 | 22.4 |
| Industrial water | 2.0 | 2.2 | 1.8 | 1.3 | 1.9 |
| Groundwater | 53.1 | 55.6 | 54.9 | 51.4 | 46.1 |
| Greywater (rainwater) | 0.40 | 0.43 | 0.46 | 0.51 | 0.32 |
- * Scope of calculation: Sales and back offices, Hanyu Factory, Okayama Factory, Omiya Factory (including Research Center)
Total Wastewater (Whole Company)
| Fiscal year | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wastewater consumption (10,000 m3) | 47.8 | 56.0 | 54.5 | 51.2 | 45.4 |
| Public water area | 5.3 | 5.0 | 5.1 | 4.2 | 4.0 |
| Sewer | 42.5 | 51.0 | 49.4 | 47.0 | 41.4 |
Response to Water Risk
Taisho Pharmaceutical’s production facilities (Omiya Factory, Hanyu Factory, Okayama Factory) and Research Center each evaluate risk based on the results of assessments obtained using the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas* of the World Resources Institute (WRI).
At locations where there is a risk of flooding, measures have been taken to prevent leakage from underground tanks and other equipment. In addition, we have confirmed that stresses on groundwater are low at sites using this kind of water.
- * Tool for assessing regional water risks