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Environmental Assurance Activities

Environmental Assurance Activities in 2010

Of Canon's CO2 emissions throughout the product lifecycle, 30% are accounted for by operational site activities and logistics and 70% by product use by customers and raw materials and parts production by suppliers. Activities focused on the full product lifecycle are vital to reducing our environmental burden. To this end, Canon is promoting technological innovation and striving to raise management efficiency.
We made efforts to reduce fixed CO2 emissions and those associated with industrial production by improving the efficiency and optimizing the operations of facilities at our operational sites in 2010. We also sought to improve the energy efficiency of our products, and expanded the number of products incorporating environmentally-friendly materials, such as biomass plastics. Our efforts also included providing information to customers about how to reduce environmental during product use. As, sales increased as a result of the economic recovery, however the CO2 emissions volume over the entire lifecycle of our products increased approximately 30% year-on-year. CO2 emissions per unit of net sales also worsened due to the increase in sales of office and industrial equipment, which emit high volumes of CO2 over their lifecycles.

Lifecycle CO2 Emissions

Lifecycle CO2 Emissions

2010 Material Balance

2010 Material Balance

  • *Basic Approach to CO2 Calculations
    Among the greenhouse gases designated under the Kyoto Protocol, we compile data for CO2, an energy-derived greenhouse gas. Past data may be revised due to improvements in the precision of data calculations. We use different CO2 conversion coefficients for each region and year. In Japan, coefficients are supplied by the Ministry of the Environment and the Federation of Electric Power Companies. Coefficients outside Japan are provided on a region-by-region basis by the International Energy Agency. (Please refer to the "Operational Sites Covered in the Environmental Section.") With regard to customer usage, CO2 emissions are calculated from the amount of power consumed by products shipped in a given year over their average lifespan, using coefficients stipulated by Japan's Ministry of the Environment in 2000. Other CO2 coefficients are provided by the JEMAI-LCA lifecycle assessment software from the Japan Environmental Management Association for Industry.

Action Plan

Canon has formulated an action plan and monitors the progress of its activities to systematically promote efforts to achieve its Environmental Vision. The results of activities are evaluated and verified each year with a view to incorporating this feedback into future activites.

Action Plan and Results of Activities for 2010
Action Plan 2010 Results
Produce Raw Materials Reducing CO2 from raw materials/procured goods Reduce waste in resource investment and energy in cooperation with suppliers Worked with suppliers to reduce CO2 emissions at the parts level by producing a collection of examples of know-how and procedures put to use in promoting resource and energy conservation, and these have begun to be reflected in the development and design.
Reduce environmental burden through the use of simulations during development The use of simulations is enabling greater reductions in the amount of materials used in mechanical parts, while the development process is becoming more efficient through reduction of the length of time needed for analysis.
Promoting environmentally conscious design Promote ultra-compact, lightweight, easy-to-use designs The PowerShot SD4500 IS DIGITAL ELPH (IXUS 1000 HS) achieves the world's thinnest 10x optical zoom lens camera with a body depth measuring only 22.3 mm while also delivering high functionality.
Use low-environmental-impact materials and promote designs with product lifecycles in mind Successfully developed the MFD industry's largest exterior part made from bio-based plastic possessing the world's highest flame retardance standard, which has been employed in our imagePRESS C7010VP/C6010.
Reduce waste in accessories, packaging materials, etc. Digitization of digital camera user manuals achieved using EF lens.
Handling of hazardous substances in procured goods and legal compliance Expand green procurement; enhance environmental data management systems
  • Revised our Green Procurement Standards to clarify supplier controls.
  • Began operating a company-wide IT system for consolidated management of laws and regulations, as well as their support, pertaining to each product.
Instill confidence by strengthening compliance systems Confirmation of compliance through completion of information disclosure concerning the SVHCs (Substances of Very High Concern) added to the REACH regulations, as well as the re-examination of procured goods corresponding to the revision of exemptions from the RoHS Directive.
Production Reducing CO2 at operational sites Reinforce energy-saving production technologies; promote installation of energy-saving production facilities Reduced CO2 emissions through in-house manufacturing of energy-efficient processing equipment for the molded plastic annealing process (CO2 emissions reduction — 1,500 tons/year; cost reduction — ¥53 million/year).
Raise efficiency by thoroughly managing energy use
  • Reduced the heat load of manufacturing equipment and lines by making it possible to reuse the exhaust heat generated by them.
  • Canon Marketing Japan Inc. received the Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry Chairman's Award in recognition of its energy conservation activities conducted in cooperation with a building management company.
Use energy sources with less environmental burden Canon Precision Inc. Kitawatoku plant moved forward with alternative fuels for its chilled/hot water generators, and energy-efficient equipment was installed at the newly completed Nagasaki Canon Inc..
Resource efficiency at operational sites Further reduce resource and energy waste through the introduction of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) As a result of efforts to eliminate waste and optimize performance at our manufacturing sites, we reduced emissions by 214 tons, 126% of our emissions volume reduction target of 170 tons.
Enhance technologies for the reuse of resources We reduced toner waste by increasing the raw materials recycling rate in the toner manufacturing process, revising manufacturing conditions, and revising processes according to toner type.
Management of hazardous substances and legal compliance Strengthen management systems for regulated chemical substances Completed our response to the revised PRTR Law (renewed our approximately 2,500-item database for the MSDS corresponding to the revised PRTR Law, and put the chemical substance management system into operation).
Employ preemptive development and use substitute substances
  • Canon Inc. and Oita Canon Inc. received the "Superiority Award" at the 13th Nikkan Kogyo Shimbun Ozone Layer Protection/Global Warming Prevention Awards for their VOC reduction efforts.
  • Succeeded in switching to water-based formula for lens barrel coating.
Logistics Reducing CO2 during distribution Shift to modes of transportation with less environmental impact (modal shift) Achieved CO2 reduction through modal shift of approximately 3,538 tons (Japan).
Reduce waste in transport distances, loading methods, and distribution processes
  • Reduced average drayage distance for export containers by concentrating our logistics centers.
  • Promoted waste elimination during distribution by encouraging direct shipments.
Improving packaging processes Simplify packaging through improved technologies and product strength Reduced the size of items packed with the PIXMA MG6100 series and now store some of them within the unit, enabling cut in the amount of EPS shock-cushioning foam by 19% in comparison with the earlier MP610 model.
Increase packaging efficiency through the use of returnable packaging By collecting the packaging boxes for copiers in Japan and restoring them in Suzhou (China), we have cut 814 tons of CO2 emissions and 445 tons of waste.
Optimize localized kitting Use localized kitting that integrates large-format inkjet printer units and stands for 7 large-volume printer models at the consumption destination (the United States).
Use Usage Reducing CO2 during use Promote both energy efficiency and convenience through minimized energy consumption in standby mode, ultra-fast startup, etc. Our office-use laser printers and MFDs combine low-energy-use, achieved through energy conservation technologies such as on-demand and IH startup, with shortened first-print wait times.
Minimize energy loss during use through energy-saving technologies We have achieved low power consumption in the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C2020 series by using the same energy saving technology used in the top models.
Introduce ECO-use support technology (ECO mode, ECO switch) Adoption of the Intelligent Touch System in the PIXMA MG8100/MG6100 series contributes to a reduction in waste during operation.
Usage proposals to customers (GREEN NAVI) Propose equipment settings and usages that balance convenience and environmental performance As a follow-up to the GREEN NAVI Office Version introduced in 2009, we published the "Home Version" and "IT Solutions Version" in 2010, expanding our support for environmentally conscious actions on the part of our customers beyond businesses to include usage suggestions for consumers.
Reinforce customer-product interfaces, and consequently reduce environmental impact Provide Web interfaces such as the "energy saving/resource saving simulator" and the "cartridge collection simulator" for simple simulation of the environmental impact reduction benefits of product replacement or collection of consumables.
Improving product value during use Promote disclosure of product environmental information
  • Information disclosure using GREEN PROFILE was expanded to 17 items and 165 equipment models.
  • Our GREEN NAVI and GREEN PROFILE information provision efforts were awarded the Grand Prize at the 12th Green Purchasing Network Awards.
Promote both energy efficiency and improved imaging value Achieved energy efficiency and improved image quality in our office-use MFDs, as well as achieving an 80% reduction in "per image CO2 emissions volume" compared with 10 years ago.
Recycle Recycling Strengthening recycling systems Expand "Collection and Recycle" systems for used products throughout the Canon Group
  • Expanded our ink cartridge collection points to include 14 countries and regions overseas.
  • Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project was expanded to include local government participation (approximately 80 local governments and 1,000 collection sites).
Improve effectiveness through optimal mix of remanufacturing (REM), parts reuse, and recycling
  • Increased the input of recycled materials and reused parts in toner cartridge manufacturing by 30% through improvements in recycling technologies.
  • Broadly expanded launches of copiers using recycled parts gained through low-cost physical recovery technologies, while the use of these materials resources as internal parts progressed.
Promote extraction and circulation of high-value-added parts and materials Started the same parts reuse program in the United States as that in place in Japan. This includes reuse of some parts from copiers collected in the US market.
Improve recycling processes Enhance recycling process technologies
  • Introduced automated lines for toner cartridge sorting, improving productivity by 30%.
  • Canon Ecology Industry Inc. and Canon Electronic Business Machines (H.K.) CO., Ltd. received the METI Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau Director-General's Award in recognition of their work in developing technology for use in making calculator housing from 100%-recycled plastics from crushed materials derived from the covers of copiers and similar equipment.
Action Plan for 2011
Action Plan
Produce Raw Materials Reducing CO2 from raw materials/procured goods Reduce waste in resource investment and energy in cooperation with suppliers
Reduce environmental burden through the use of simulations during development
Promoting environmentally conscious design Promote ultra-compact, lightweight, easy-to-use designs
Use low-environmental-impact materials and promote designs with product lifecycles in mind
Reduce waste in accessories, packaging materials, etc.
Handling of hazardous substances in procured goods and legal compliance Expand green procurement; enhance environmental data management systems
Instill confidence by strengthening compliance systems
Production Reducing CO2 at operational sites Reinforce energy-saving production technologies;
Promote installation of energy-saving equipment *1
Raise efficiency by thoroughly managing energy use
Use energy sources with less environmental burden
Resource efficiency at operational sites Further reduce resource and energy waste through the introduction of Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA)
Improve the rate of transition to resource recycling and recycling technologies *1
Management of hazardous substances and legal compliance Strengthen management systems for regulated chemical substances
Employ preemptive development and use substitute substances
Logistics Reducing CO2 during distribution Shift to modes of transportation with less environmental impact (modal shift)
Reduce waste in transport distances, loading methods, and distribution processes
Improving packaging processes Simplify packaging through improved technologies and product strength
Eliminate waste from the packaging process and make it efficient *1
Use Usage Reducing CO2 during use Promote both energy efficiency and convenience through minimized energy consumption in standby mode, ultra-fast startup, etc.
Minimize energy loss during use through energy-saving technologies
Usage proposals to customers (GREEN NAVI) Propose equipment settings and usages that balance convenience and environmental performance
Strengthen the customer/product interface through Eco-Use support technologies, etc. *1
Improving product value during use Promote disclosure of product environmental information
Promote both energy efficiency and improved imaging value
Recycle Recycling Strengthening recycling systems Expand "Collection and Recycle" systems for used products throughout the Canon Group
Improve efficiency by promoting remanufacturing (REM), component reuse, and recycling *1
Improve recycling processes Create advanced materials recycling technologies *2
Improve the efficiency of disposal processes *2

Changes to Action Plan in 2011

  • *1Plan name changed to reflect expansion of content and to strengthen the activities.
  • *2Changed to "Create advanced materials recycling technologies" and "Improve the efficiency of disposal processes" so as to strengthen improvements in the process of transitioning to recycling.

Environmental Activities

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