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 working to realize a recycling-oriented society by making the most of its limited 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)

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.
　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 amount of waste of Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Kawasaki Railcar Manufacturing, and Kawasaki Motors in fiscal 2022 was 39,697 tons, a reduction of 3,073 tons compared to the previous fiscal year. Furthermore, the landfill disposal rate (= direct-to-landfill waste generation ÷ total waste generation) was 0.1%, thereby achieving the target of less than 1%.

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
• 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
• 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

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 scheduled disposals had been implemented internally to date, an incident occurred during the previous fiscal year in which high-concentration PCB waste was discovered once again at a plant. At present, we are advancing efforts to address this issue such as by sharing information with government agencies and entering into an outsourcing agreement with a waste disposal company. We aim to complete the disposal of all high-concentration PCB waste by the end of fiscal 2023.

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 its plants.
　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 working on reducing the amount of water consumed by reexamining how we use water, such as in production activities and boilers, as we explore ways to promote more efficient and effective water usage. 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.

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