Contribution to the Realization of a Resource-Recycling Society
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Zero Emissions from Product Waste
At the Canon MJ Group, we aim to maintain a recycling rate* of 99.9% or higher for end-of-use products such as printers and MFPs that are collected from customers and turned into new resources. To date, we have maintained our recycling rate at over 99.9% for eight consecutive years. We will continue to do so by identifying the potential risks, taking measures in response, and monitoring progress.
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Recycling rate (rate at which end-of-use products are converted into new resources): Amount of products disposed of through methods other than landfill disposal ÷ Total amount of products disposed of
Initiatives to Promote Plastic Waste Reduction and Recycling
Canon MJʼs logistics centers across Japan use stretch film to prevent loads from collapsing during transit and use styrofoam as packaging materials. Instead of throwing these materials away as plastic waste, for over 20 years, we have been working to make effective use of them, selling them as plastic resources. In 2024, we expanded the number of business sites taking part in this initiative, and as a result, reduced waste plastics by 63 tons, which represents a 26% reduction compared to the previous year.
Since 2023, we have been making effective use of returned products and parts which can still be used, and in doing so helping to curb the generation of plastic waste. For example, we reuse used demo equipment internally, donate products that were returned due to defective outer packaging and use returned inkjet printer (IJP) parts in repairs.
Initiatives to Reduce Water Consumption
Based on the Canon Group Water Resources Policy, we work to reduce our water resource usage and environmental impact. To reduce water resource consumption, Canon MJʼs head office building, in cooperation with the Shinagawa Grand Commons Community Development Council, participates in the Reclaimed Water Utilization Project promoted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Governmentʼs Bureau of Sewerage and uses the recycled water supplied by the bureau in toilets and other facilities. In 2022, we also reduced water consumption by installing toilet faucets that make minimal use of water at our head office building. In another effort to monitor the Canon MJ Groupʼs water risk, a water risk assessment was carried out in 2022 at its business sites in Japan using the Aqueduct* Water Risk Atlas, which confirmed that its overall water risk falls under the “low” or “low–medium” levels.
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Aqueduct: A global water risk assessment tool developed by the World Resources Institute (WRI)
Canon Group Water Resources Policy
As the world economy develops and the world’s population grows, the risks posed by water shortages and water pollution have become global in nature. Companies, too, are required to respond to these water-related issues. At Canon, we rely on numerous water resources in its production processes. We have therefore formulated a Policy on Water Resources, and we work both to promote the effective use of water and to prevent water pollution. We also recognize that water is closely linked to climate change and other environmental issues, and we understand impact on the environment.
Based on our corporate philosophy of kyosei, at Canon we are working with various parties—including local communities and our suppliers—to reduce our use of water resources, and to minimize our impact on the environment.
- We recognize that the safe and secure use of water resources is a human right, and we shall act accordingly.
- We comply with all applicable laws in each country/region and other requirements agreed upon with stakeholders, and pursue reduction of water consumption and elimination of hazardous substances in all corporate activities.
- Taking international frameworks and regional policies and initiatives into consideration, we actively support and participate in water resource conservation initiatives.
- We establish an Environmental Management System (EMS) and establish and periodically review water-related objectives and targets to prevent water pollution, and steadily reduce water consumption.
- We comply with all applicable regulatory standards, and establish site standard values for wastewater that are more rigorous than these regulatory standards, with the goal of preventing pollution.
- We proactively carry out various activities aimed at restoring ecosystems and protecting biodiversity.
- We are working to reduce water consumption by consistently meeting our target for reduction of water consumption at operational sites.
Canon Inc.
Date of establishment : March 2024
Date of revision : December 2024
Collecting and Recycling Products
We collect used cartridges, toner containers, MFPs, printers, and other used products from customers and recycle them at facilities including Canon Eco Technology Park, which is a recycling center of the Canon Group.
Collecting and Recycling Used Products
Canon products that have been used at offices and other locations are collected at nine collection centers in Japan. We recycle the used products within the Group by working together with the Canon Ecology Industry Inc. which are the recycling centers of the Canon Group.
Canon Green Recycling Service -- A Service to Collect Used Products
At Canon MJ, we provide the Canon Green Recycling Service based on the Ministry of the Environment's wide-area certification system, so as to drive collection and recycling of used products. This service eliminates the need for customers to issue, manage, and report manifests when they discharge used Canon products* as industrial waste from offices and other locations, thereby improving customer convenience and contributing to promoting recycling.
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Used Canon products from households are classified as general waste, which must be disposed of by following the rules of each local government.
Collecting and Recycling Used Cartridges
Canon recycles used cartridges, regarding them as valuable resources. We make effective use of used cartridges collected from customers as resources, instead of landfilling them. This activity of collecting and recycling used cartridges is made possible by customers' cooperation. We have therefore prepared various collection routes in response to the needs of cooperating customers.
In addition to collecting and recycling used cartridges, we implement environmental protection activities based on the quantity of collected cartridges. Specific activities include issuance of Bellmark points based on the quantity of collected cartridges, donation to the Furusato (hometown) Project, and donation to environmental protection activities through the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (homecoming) Project.
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Ink cartridges only
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Toner cartridges manufactured by Canon, waste toner boxes for LBPs, and ink cartridges manufactured by Canon
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*3
Ink cartridges manufactured by Canon and toner cartridges manufactured by Canon
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Toner cartridges manufactured by Canon and waste toner boxes for LBPs
Initiatives to Reduce Product Packaging
The Canon Group works to reduce product packaging, not to mention downsizing its products. The Canon MJ Group also reduces packaging materials used for product delivery, repair, and maintenance, thus contributing to saving resources.
Participation in the Plastics Smart Campaign
At the Canon MJ Group, we support the idea of Plastics Smart of the Ministry of the Environment and participate in the Plastics Smart campaign.
We engage in recycling activities, reduce the use of plastics, provide environmental education, and take initiatives for raising environmental awareness. Activities of the Canon MJ Group are introduced at the Ministry of the Environment's special website of Plastics Smart.
Activity Examples
- Recycling Class for letting students know the importance of caring about the environment
- Remanufacturing of MFPs
- Collecting and recycling ink cartridges
- Closed-loop recycling under the automatic recycling system for toner cartridges