Global Warming Prevention and Energy Efficiency
-Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions-
Canon has long understood the importance of preventing global warming. In 1996, even before the adoption of the Kyoto Protocol, we established the Operational Site Energy Efficient Special Committee under the Global Environment Promotion Committee. Since then, we have promoted energy conservation activities across the Group, including developing technologies to prevent global warming, and making improvements to production facilities and air conditioning equipment that consume substantial amounts of energy.
In 2007, we adopted energy-efficient equipment and devices such as free cooling systems and turbo
refrigerators. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, we strictly control energy usage by conducting an energy
conservation patrol and using a monitoring system that controls power consumption by workplace.
Resource Efficiency
-Reducing Waste-
In 2001, we began our zero landfill waste campaign, and as a result of 3R efforts since then to recycle waste by sorting and collecting it by material type, all manufacturing sites in Japan succeeded in generating zero landfill waste* as of December 2003. This goal was also achieved by all 17 manufacturing sites outside Japan as of December 2005.
* Zero landfill waste
All waste generated from operational sites is recycled. Zero landfill waste is not considered to be achieved if even a small amount of residue after intermediate processing is landfilled. (Note that this does not include waste material for which Canon cannot independently determines the method of recycling due to government directions.)
Managing Chemical Substances, Preventing Pollution
-Reducing Emissions of Controlled Chemical Substances-
Canon strives to eliminate and reduce harmful chemical substances used in the manufacturing process. For substances difficult to eliminate or reduce, our policy is to minimize their release into the air or water.
Approximately 2,000 controlled chemical substances* that we handle are classified into three categories, namely A) for elimination of use; B) for reduction of use; C) for reduction of emission. We have attained positive
results by applying different measures to these substances based on the level of their classification.
Since 2007, we have been introducing devices for the elimination of controlled chemical substances at operational
sites that emit these substances.
* Controlled chemical substances
These are chemical substances covered by some restriction on use and management. These substances include those harmful to people, inflammable substances and substances that are harmful to the environment (such as those that contribute to global warming).
