Pollution Prevention

Policy

The Toyota Tsusho Group complies with the Air Pollution Control Act, Water Pollution Control Act, and other relevant laws and regulations, takes action to reduce the release of pollutants, and actively works to maintain and preserve natural environments.

Pollution Risk Countermeasures

1.Toyota Tsusho conducts pollution abatement that exceeds the requirements of laws and regulations

At the Toyota Tsusho Group, we have established voluntary standards via which we aim to keep within 80 percent of the standards set out by environmental laws and regulations. We manage these voluntary standards on a daily basis, and check compliance through internal audits. In fiscal 2022, the Group has not been subjected to any fines or penalties and has not committed any violations or non-conformance with environment-related laws and regulations, and consequently, no associated costs were incurred.

<Objective>
In addition, not only do we comply with laws and regulations, we take action with the aim of preventing pollution. For example, each year we work to achieve a target of zero oil leaks from commercial vehicles, and in fiscal 2022, there were no leaks. We obtain information on oil leaks from business partners and share that information globally on a monthly basis in an effort to educate the relevant parties.

2.Chemical management

Some of the substances used in industrial processes pose a pollution risk or can damage human health. The Toyota Tsusho Group uses and manages these substances in compliance with the various rules established by the European Union.

For example, our plastics processing plants and synthetic rubber processing plants manufacturing auto parts use plasticizers and flame retardants regulated by REACH.*1 As part of our substance management activities, we manage the amounts of each of the regulated substances and related compounds contained in products. Also, we confirm whether or not certain substances (SVHCs*2) are contained in molded items, and use and manage chemical substances in consideration of human health and the environment.

  1. *1Short for "registration, evaluation, authorization and restriction of chemical substances" and an EU law on the use, handling and purposes of chemical substances
  2. *2Short for "substances of very high concern" of which there is substantial concern about serious negative impact on the environment or human health

3.Promoting Toyota Tsusho Group integrated disposal of equipment containing PCB

The Toyota Tsusho Group recognizes that equipment containing PCB (equipment in storage or in use) is a major environmental risk. For that reason, since 2015 we are promoting integrated waste disposal as a way to dispose of waste as early as possible and reduce environmental pollution risk.

Currently, the disposal completion rate for equipment containing PCB is 100%.

Toyota Tsusho Group Progress in Integrated Disposal of Equipment Containing PCB

4.Toyota Tsusho Group's Environmental Impact Reduction Activities

Toyotsu Chemical Engineering, a Toyota Tsusho Group company engaged in intermediate processing of industrial waste, has concluded an "Environmental Preservation Agreement" with Handa City to reduce the environmental impact of its business activities, with the aim of addressing environmental issues and changes in public opinion.
We have set internal standards and agreement standards that are stricter than those required by law and are implementing measures against global warming and waste, etc., to conduct environmentally conscious business activities.

As one of our specific numerical targets, we have set a standard value of 0.8 or less (ng-TEQ/m3) for dioxins, a designated air pollutant, compared to the regulatory and agreed value of 1.0 or less (ng-TEQ/m3) at our incineration facilities, and disclose this in our Environmental Report. The latest data (fiscal year 2022) shows a maximum value of 0.04 and a minimum value of 0.0074, which are well below the standard values (upper limit).
In this way, by committing to the goal of always setting standards that are stricter than laws and ordinances and being environmentally conscious, we are contributing to the creation of a community that is friendly to people and where people can live comfortably with peace of mind.

Performance Data

VOC emissions
VOC emissions
Tabulation scope: Toyota Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Soot and dust emissions
Soot and dust emissions
Tabulation scope: Toyota Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Hydrogen chloride emissions
Hydrogen chloride emissions
Tabulation scope: Toyota Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Nitrogen oxide emissions
Nitrogen oxide emissions
Tabulation scope: Toyota Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Sulfuric oxide emissions
Tabulation scope: Toyota Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
Waste Water Volume (quality and discharge destination)
2020 2021 2022
Volume
(unit:1000m3)
Discharges into rivers and the ocean 0 8 9
Surface water 612 1,551 743
Underground and wells 0.27 5,520 6,466
Off-site water treatment facilities 497 2,122 3,119
Total 1,109 9,201 10,337
Water quality
(unit: ton)
Total BOD 1.4 1.3 0.9
Total 1.4 1.3 0.9
Scope of calculation: Toyota Tsusho Corporation and domestic consolidated subsidiaries (2020); Toyota Tsusho Corporation and domestic and overseas consolidated subsidiaries (2021-22)
For domestic water quality data, BOD is calculated only for waste water after proper treatment (discharges into rivers)
Costs of pollution, waste, and raw material challenges
Approx. ¥0 million
Traditionally, the estimated cost for processing equipment containing PCB was listed as a possible future cost (shadow cost). Since equipment containing PCB has now been completely disposed of, this cost is now listed as 0.
Water Management-Related Costs

The wastewater costs for Toyotsu Chemical Engineering, a Toyota Tsusho Group company engaged in the intermediate processing of industrial waste, for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2023, are as follows.

- Costs related to water-related risks: 107,101,000 yen
(Includes costs for rainwater and sewage incineration, gutter repair, gutter cleaning, and other water-related risks)
- Investment to mitigate water-related risks: 650,000 yen
(Cost of survey to improve water quality for introduction of ozone generator)