Formation of a Recycling-Oriented Society

Reducing Waste

Since October 2003 at the Fukusaki Factory we have been maintaining a 99% or higher rate of resource recovery to qualify as "zero waste emissions". In FY2019, this was achieved at all Mandom business sites in Japan. An example of recycling is the pelletizing* of plastics. We also strive to reduce waste generation by improving production processes.
To encourage waste reduction and recycling at our head office building, we conduct annual environmental awareness seminars relating to such topics as environmental problems, and rules for proper waste classification and disposal for new employees and individuals who have transferred to the head office building. In addition, we encourage thorough use of waste sorting and shredders , as the city of Osaka passed a law in 2013 requiring 100% of paper to be recycled.

* Pelletizing: reducing industrial plastics to pellets 3 to 5mm in diameter.
Pellets
Garbage sorting cart

In addition, in order to deepen our knowledge of the transition to a recycling-based society and to strengthen our efforts for a sustainable global environment, we participated in the MEGURU BOX Project, a demonstration experiment to collect used plastic, which was implemented from July 2021 by the Kyushu Circular Economy Partnership (secretariat companies: AMITA HOLDINGS CO., LTD. and NEC Solutions Innovator, Ltd.) to optimize resource cycle in Kyusyu region and create business contributing to a sustainable society.

Efficient Water Use

We deeply recognize that water is an essential element of our business activities and is also one of the most precious resources on earth. Therefore, we pay particular attention to the use of water in our business activities and actively promote the reuse of water in accordance with the Environmental Policies to save water resources and achieve a circular economy.
Our business sites do not use ground water. Our production sites do not have a high water risk and minimize the impact of potential natural disasters on water resources. We have also set a Group-wide target regarding water resources and monitor its achievement.

Target
To reduce water withdrawal (per unit of production volume) at our three production sites by at least 3% compared to FY2021 by FY2027

Water-saving efforts at the Fukusaki Factory

Manufacturing tanks

At the Fukusaki Factory, we are working to reduce water use by regularly calling upon each department to save water, and reviewing methods of cleaning production equipment, piping and other facilities. We have also introduced a chiller* to reduce the use of industrial water.
At the head office building we use water-saving equipment that controls water flow and low-flush toilets to reduce water use.

Chiller: Equipment for maintaining the temperature of many types of industrial equipment by controlling and circulating the temperature of water and heating medium fluid. For the most part it is used in many cases for refrigeration.

Waste Resource Recovery Initiatives

At the Fukusaki Factory, we conduct improvement activities every year with an awareness of waste resource recovery within the factory. As an example of these improvement activities, packaging paper used as raw material for nonwoven fabric deliveries, which used to be treated as waste, is now collected by an intermediate processing contractor and recycled as recycled paper. In addition, nitrile gloves, which were collected by a contractor after being sorted and collected post-use within the factory, are recycled as raw materials for roadbed materials and sand cushioning. We are committed to further improvements and initiatives toward a recycling-oriented society.

Example of packaging paper initiative

Nonwoven fabrics (raw materials) packed with packaging paper upon delivery
Nonwoven fabrics with packaging paper removed
After storing all the removed packaging paper, it is collected by an intermediate processing contractor (Collection results for FY2022: 11.9 t)

Example of nitrile glove initiative

Nitrile gloves used at production sites
Dedicated collection boxes are set up onsite for sorting and collecting after use
After storing all sorted and collected nitrile gloves, they are collected by a contractor involved in the initiative (Nitrile glove collection results for FY2022: 2.2 t)