Basic Stance on Environmental Consciousness of Products
Canon realizes that from the viewpoint of the entire product lifecycle, the raw materials / parts manufacturing and product usage stages are significant contributors to the environmental impact. We also understand that society requires immediately addressing environmental issues such as global climate change, resource utilization of end-of-life products, and proactive prevention of pollution due to disposal of these products in order to support a sustainable society.
In this context, Canon is accelerating its efforts to develop environmentally conscious products under a strategy that emphasizes energy efficiency, resource conservation and chemical substance control in consideration of the entire product lifecycle.
Additionally, Canon actively provides information about our environmentally conscious products that reflect the above-mentioned activities.
Global Warming Prevention and Energy Conservation
Canon aims for top-level energy efficiency in all product groups. Emissions of CO2 during the product use stage were reduced by 31% in 2007 compared to 2000.
Applying Energy-efficient Technologies to Broader Product Ranges
Canon uses energy-efficient technologies such as induction heating (IH) and on-demand fixing to drastically shorten warm-up times in copying machines, MFPs, laser beam printers, and other machines. Lately we have expanded the application of these technologies to high-speed and color machines, thus advancing our overall energy efficiency.
An electromagnetic induction heater induces an eddy current when magnetic flux passes through metal coils, heating the fixing roller itself. In this way, overall heat efficiency is improved and energy consumption can be reduced.
A proprietary fixing technology in which a ceramic heater directly heats a thin fixing sleeve, allowing instantaneous heat transfer to the fixing point.
Resource Conservation
To help build a recycling-oriented society, Canon focuses on the development of resource-efficient products. These products have such features as being smaller, lighter, and easy to recycle.
Smaller, Lighter Products
Canon aims to make its products rank among the very smallest and lightest available in each product group. To improve on product functions and usability yet use fewer resources, we focus on reducing weight and size right from the development stage.
Recycle-Conscious Design
From the development and design stages, Canon strives to attain 65% recyclability and 75% recoverability for its products, as stipulated by the EU Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE Directive). We used assessment and evaluation results for all products to confirm that in 2007 we were meeting these targets during the design stage.
Eliminating Designated Hazardous Substances from Products
Canon has built a Group-wide environmental assurance system for managing chemical substances in products. We have also developed products based on in-house standards that are more stringent than laws and industry voluntary restrictions.
