Consumables
Teijin Raises Bar on Waste Reduction, Unveils Tough Green Standard
Monday 28. April 2008 - Teijin Limited today reaffirmed its dedication to protecting the natural environment by announcing ambitious new goals for reducing emissions of chemical substances and industrial waste up to fiscal year 2020, and by unveiling the Japanese fiber industry's first system for assessing the environment friendliness of products and processes. The announcement follows Teijin's adoption of medium-term target to reduce CO2 emissions in 2007.
Teijin has committed to reducing emissions of chemical substances by more than 80% up to FY2020 compared to the volume produced in FY1998, raising the bar on this important, long-term policy goal introduced in the company’s previous medium-term plan (FY1998-FY2005). In 2005, Teijin was able to cut its output of chemical substances to 3,583 tons/year – a 60% reduction compared to FY1998; the company is now aiming to reduce chemical substance emissions by 30% compared to FY2005 – or a 72% decrease relative to FY1998 – by FY2011.
The volume of industrial waste generated by Teijin also will be reduced – total output in FY2020 will be more than 85% lower than the total for FY1998. The previous medium-term plan period saw Teijin cap the production of industrial waste at 17,974 tons/year in FY2005 – or 63% less than FY1998. The company is in the process of reducing this total by a further 50% up to FY2011.
Teijin places a priority on environmental conservation and the provision of environmentally sound products and technology. This philosophy is exhibited not only by efforts to reduce emissions of chemical substances and industrial waste, but also by the creation of a recognition system for environmentally friendly products and processes. This recognition system will be used to evaluate Teijin’s production process lifecycle – from raw materials procurement through production, sale and use to recycling and disposal – according to six main criteria: energy efficiency, resource conservation, security, environmental friendliness, transparency and environmental impact.
Assessment according to these six criteria will be carried out by Teijin Group employees following detailed checklists in accordance with the new “Teijin Group Guidelines for Environmentally Friendly Design.” Only products or processes that comply with the criteria will be certified under the recognition system. Application of this system will commence in July this year.
In July 2007, Teijin Group issued a call to action for a sustainable environment, and began to promote sustainable management based on three core initiatives: environmental preservation, environmentally friendly design and environmental business. The company set a goal to reduce CO2 by 20% compare to FY 1990 by FY 2020. Today’s announcement is the latest step forward in Teijin Group’s continuing effort to realize the goals of these initiatives, and complements other environmentally sustainable business developments, such as ECO CIRCLETM, the world’s first closed-loop recycling system for polyester, and BIOFRONTTM, a groundbreaking heat-resistant bioplastic.