Waste FREE (Realization of a Recycling-oriented Society)

At a time when global population growth is expected to require resources equivalent to 2 earths by 2030, there is a growing public demand to reduce the use of natural resources and reduce waste emissions in order to make society sustainable. The Kawasaki Group is forwarding initiatives aimed at realizing a recycling-oriented society while promoting the effective use of its finite resources by reducing the amount of resources used, reducing waste in the manufacturing process, and recycling waste. In terms of water resources, we are also working to reduce water usage by understanding the state of water use at individual plants and studying ways to use water effectively without waste, thereby reducing our impact on the environment.

The Environmental Management Activities Plan 2023
(Key Strategies) and Achievements in Fiscal 2023

The Environmental Management Activities Plan 2024
(Key Strategies)

Effective Use of Resources

Reducing Resource Consumption

To reduce our burden on the environment, in each stage of product planning, R&D, and design, we are engaged in efforts to make our use of resources more efficient by doing things such as reducing the number of parts and making them lighter, in order to reduce our use of natural resources. In addition to resources used in the manufacture of products, we are reducing the resources used in the packaging of products by expanding the application of returnable shipping trestles and transitioning to packaging materials with lower environmental impacts. As efforts to reduce the use of natural resources are an issue to be worked on by not only the Group but also throughout our entire supply chain, we have incorporated a statement on minimizing the use of natural resources into Kawasaki Group Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and will advance our efforts with our suppliers.

Reducing Waste in Manufacturing Processes

We are continuing efforts with the target of reducing our direct-to-landfill waste to zero by reducing waste through the efficient use of resources in manufacturing processes and promoting the recycling of waste produced in manufacturing processes. The total waste emissions for the Kawasaki Group over the past four years as well as the amount of waste and hazardous waste for Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, and Kawasaki Motors are indicated on the ESG data page. The landfill disposal rate (= direct-to-landfill waste generation ÷ total waste generation) for Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, and Kawasaki Motors was 0.1%, thereby achieving the target of 1% or less.

Use of Lifecycle Analysis

We carry out product assessments regarding reducing our consumption of natural resources, energy conservation, and the recycling properties of newly developed/designed products and particularly important products, with the aim of reducing the environmental burden of our products during the product lifecycle. As the specific evaluation method differs depending on the product type, Product Assessment Rules are created by each business segment to enable the implementation of assessments tailored to the characteristics of each product. The main evaluation items are as follows:

• Weight reduction of the product
• Weight reduction of product packaging materials
• Improved energy conservation at the time of manufacturing the product
• Improved energy conservation when using the product
• Increased lifespan of the product
• Safety and environmental friendliness of the product
• Ease of product transport operations
• Action for the disposal and recycling of the product
• Environmental impact in the event of an emergency such as an accident
• Provision of information for usage/maintenance, etc.
• Compliance with laws and regulations

Motorcycle Recycling System

Kawasaki Motors, Ltd. participates in the Motorcycle Recycling System, a voluntary initiative which has been jointly operated by Japanese motorcycle manufacturers and importers since 2004. The actual recycling rate for fiscal 2023 as part of this Motorcycle Recycling System was 97.8%. Since October 2011, we have also made recycling free of charge (excluding transport costs) for customers disposing of their motorcycles. Additionally, we are engaged in initiatives for the environmentally conscious design of new motorcycle models, including reduce and recycle initiatives, from the development stage. We meanwhile conduct preemptive assessments of 3R initiatives in advance of the design, prototyping, and mass production stages. We have particularly endeavored to improve recyclability through measures including the adoption of easily recyclable materials. Our recyclability rate, calculated in accordance with the “Guidelines for the Definition and Calculation Method on the Recyclability Rate for New Vehicles (JAMA 1998)” issued by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association, Inc. (JAMA) is 90% or more for all models, with the majority of models having achieved a recyclability rate of 95% or more.

Promoting PCB Treatment

The disposal of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) waste is proceeding worldwide, in line with the Stockholm Convention, which includes stipulations on the proper treatment of PCBs. In Japan, disposal is undertaken in a systematic manner, mainly by the Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO), which was established by the Ministry of the Environment. The phased disposal period for high-concentration PCB waste is scheduled to end in 2023, and that for low-concentration PCB waste will end in 2027. Although the Group has to date implemented scheduled disposals internally, an incident occurred in which high-concentration PCB waste was newly discovered at a plant, with this waste again disposed of in fiscal 2023. At present, a small quantity of high-concentration PCB waste is awaiting contracted disposal under an outsourcing agreement with a waste disposal company, with this waste being appropriately stored while we advance systematic efforts for the disposal of the remaining low-concentration PCB waste.

Conservation of Water Resources

Precisely Understanding Water Uses and Usage Volumes

To more effectively use water resources, Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, and Kawasaki Motors are advancing efforts to precisely understand water usage at each of their plants. In addition, we are monitoring wastewater discharge by setting voluntary control standards for wastewater discharged from plants, with these standards more stringent than discharge standards under laws and ordinances, with Kawasaki thereby working to improve wastewater quality. Water withdrawal, water discharged, and water consumed at Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, and Kawasaki Motors over the last four years are shown on the ESG data page. We are undertaking initiatives to reduce the amount of water we consume through means including the use of recycled water. We are meanwhile exploring ways for water to be used in an efficient and effective manner while reconfirming its various usages, such as during production activities and in boilers. By rolling out these initiatives across the Group, we will reduce water resource risks.

Manufacturing Facilities and Water Level Risk (Water Stress)

In collaboration with external experts, we conducted a simple risk analysis from the perspectives of water shortage, drought, flooding, and water pollution utilizing the Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas published by U.S. think tank WRI (World Resources Institute). Of the 38 manufacturing facilities we have in Japan and overseas (17 in Japan, 21 overseas), we have 12 manufacturing facilities in India, Thailand, and China, where water stress is seen to be high compared to other countries around the world. Seven of these facilities were determined to be at particularly high risk of water resources and drought. Going forward, we will implement more detailed analyses and actively institute measures to address any issues.

Legend
●：Kawasaki Group's manufacturing facilities
□：Countries and regions with particularly high water stress