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- Approach to the Environment
Approach to the Environment
| Preventing Global Warming | Using Sustainable Resources | Environmental Business |
Preventing Global Warming
As a member of the Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc., we participate in voluntary action plans to achieve Kyoto Protocol targets for the reduction of greenhouse gases through efforts to reduce our energy consumption and CO2 emissions.
Reducing CO2 Emissions at Offices
We are introducing solar power generation systems and encouraging cool business attire in summer and warm business attire in winter.
As a member of the Japan Foreign Trade Council, Inc., Toyota Tsusho participates in a voluntary action plan formulated by the council to achieve the Kyoto Protocol's greenhouse gas reduction targets. Our target is to reduce average annual energy use by around 2,854 tons from fiscal 2008 to fiscal 2012. The target involves the reduction of electricity and gas used at 26 of our offices.
To lower the amount of electricity used in heating and cooling, we have set air conditioners at 28°C in summer and 22°C in winter. We have also posted signs in all elevators at headquarters and in various other locations to encourage cool business attire in summer and warm business attire in winter. In addition, we are introducing solar power generation systems and installing louvered shades on windows to help conserve energy used in air conditioning.
 Natural lighting (Toyota Branch) |
 Solar power generation (Hokkaido Branch) |
Louvers for protection from sunlight (Toyota Branch) |
Encouraging cool business attire in summer and warm business attire in winter |
Reducing CO2 Emissions at the Metals Division
We are installing energy-saving equipment and introducing kaizen (improvement) activities to curtail CO2 emissions.
In the Metals Division, we are expanding our molten aluminum business, through which we provide customers with recycled aluminum alloys from waste aluminum products and the waste generated during production processes. At factories, we are promoting efficient energy use by introducing regenerators* and other energy-saving equipment. At the same time, we are curtailing energy use through the culmination of various kaizen (improvement) activities.
As a result of these efforts, by the middle of fiscal 2010 we had reduced energy use approximately 330,000 kcal/ton on a production unit basis, compared with March 31, 2009, levels. This equates to a CO2 reduction of 28,000 tons of CO2 per year.
- * Regenerators: Burners that raise combustion efficiency by reheating exhaust heat in the air, for use in combustion air.
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Molten aluminum business |
Reducing CO2 Emissions at Group Companies in Japan
We met our target of a 3% year-on-year reduction on a unit sales basis by streamlining production through the consolidation of manufacturing facilities.
To lower CO2 emissions at all 65 Group companies in Japan, we are installing skylights at principal factories to reduce illumination requirements, reducing the standby requirements of compressors by turning them off when not in use and consolidating production facilities that are similar.
In fiscal 2010, we met our target of reducing CO2 emissions by 3% on a unit sales basis by continuing with activities that we had already put in place. As a result, total emissions were down 13% year on year, to 40,361 t-CO2. This amounts to a savings per sales unit of 70.3 t-CO2/million yen, or 22% year on year, thereby reaching our target*. In fiscal 2011, we aim to achieve a further 1% reduction.
- * The coefficient used in calculating emissions was revised in fiscal 2010.
 Skylights (Toyotsu New Pack Co., Ltd.) Right: exterior view; left: interior view |
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Reducing CO2 Emissions during Transport
We are promoting the reduction of CO2 emissions centered on two companies that are "specified consigners*" under Japans' Law concerning the Rational Use of Energy.
Toyota Tsusho and Toyota Steel Center Co., Ltd., which are certified as specified consigners under Japans' Law concerning the Rational Use of Energy, aim to reduce CO2 emissions 1% per year on a unit sales basis. To achieve this, the two companies are promoting a modal shift from trucks to rail transport, which emits less CO2. They are also increasing container loading ratios and shortening distribution routes to make truck transportation more efficient. Measures such as these are designed to reduce CO2 emissions during product transport and other aspects of logistics.
Through these initiatives, Toyota Tsusho has succeeded in reducing CO2 emissions per sales unit by an average of 2.7% per year between fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2010. Future initiatives will focus on such activities as consolidating processing base logistics and increasing the percentage of vehicles equipped with digital tachographs.
- * Specified consigners: Companies that transport 30 million tons or more of cargo per year
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Using Sustainable Resources
We work to use limited resources as effectively as possible.
Reducing Waste and Promoting Recycling
We are converting to the use of multifunctional office devices and reducing the amount of copy paper we discard as waste.
Toyota Tsusho promotes the 3Rs: reduce waste, reuse products and recycle resources. At our offices, for example, in place of the stand-alone printers, copiers, facsimile machines and scanners that were commonplace in the past, we are switching to multifunctional devices and reducing the amount of copy paper we discard as waste.
In fiscal 2010, however, the relocation of our Tokyo Head Office caused a spike in waste generation. As a result, waste generation was down only slightly year on year and our recycling rate edged down to 75%.
Environmental Business
Through our businesses, we work to realize the tenets of our Corporate Philosophy, "living and prospering together with people, society and the Earth."
Addressing Environmental Problems through Our Operations
We are developing businesses aimed at recycling and helping to reduce global warming.
Toyota Tsusho is developing a variety of businesses in its aim of contributing to the formation of a recycling-oriented society. For example, we have begun a recycling business that takes advantage of our long track record in steel and aluminum. To help prevent global warming, we are also working to popularize wind and solar power generation systems.
Toyota Tsusho's Environmental Business
| Resource recycling | Recycling of iron, aluminum, precious metals, used paper, wood |
|---|---|
| Renewable energy | Sales of wind power and solar power generation systems |
| New energy | Biodiesel fuel business |
| New materials | Sales of plant-derived polyethylene |
| Animal waste treatment | Sales of composting system for animal waste |
Toyota Tsusho's Resource Recycling Support Functions
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