Environmental Protection

Industrial Waste

The Mitsui Chemicals Group aims at minimizing the landfill rate for industrial waste to 1% or less. We promote the reduction of industrial waste emitted outside our plants by promoting the recycling of industrial waste and reduction through incineration with energy recovery while striving to reduce the landfill volume. We have continuously succeeded in minimizing the industrial waste volume, hitting another landfill rate target for industrial waste in fiscal 2021.

*Please refer here for scope of data.

The Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law was revised partially to tighten controls over inappropriate disposal of waste. Due to this revision, business operators who discharge 50 tons or more of specially controlled industrial waste must use an electronic manifest from fiscal 2020. We implement the operation of the electronic manifest.

Industrial Waste Treatment Process

In order to minimize industrial waste, the Mitsui Chemicals Group is working to understand and reduce the negative impact of generated waste on the environment and society by improving manufacturing processes and monitoring the waste disposal status at outsourcing companies. Specifically, we are working to improve the processes by recycling low-polymer and other waste materials generated in the manufacturing process that are not suitable for products back into the ethylene cracker, and implementing other initiatives. In addition, when we outsource the disposal of industrial waste, we check the disposal status. The industrial waste generated by the Group is used as solid fuel, and dust from waste combustion is recycled to make concrete, pave roads, and so on.
Among waste materials, the recycling ratio of waste plastic discharged outside the plant exceeds 90%, and we are maintaining this ratio.

Industrial Waste Treatment Process (FY2021)

*Unit: Thousand tons

*Any minor discrepancies in percentages are due to rounding.

*The calculation is based on the volume of hazardous industrial waste generated by Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. and Domestic subsidiaries & affiliates.

*1Volume of generated waste:
Calculated based on the type of industrial waste as defined in the Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law, including sludge (after dewatering), waste plastic, soot, and dust.

*2On-site recycling volume:
In-process recycling of waste plastic, etc. Does not include thermal recycling (heat recovery).

*3On-site incineration with energy recovery:
Reduction of waste emitted outside the plant achieved by incineration, including using waste as fuel and thermal recycling (heat recovery), and neutralization of waste acid. Incinerated ash is not disposed of in the plant's landfill, but is included in the total volume of offsite industrial waste volume.

*4Off-site recycling volume:
Includes solid fuel materials and incinerated materials reused to make cement or roadbed. Does not include thermal recycling (heat recovery).

*5 Off-site volume of waste incinerated with energy recovery:
Includes oil waste used as fuel and thermal recycled (heat recovery). The figures assume total loss and incinerated ash is counted as landfill waste.

*6Landfill volume:
Includes the landfill volume of incinerated ash.

Processing of plastic industrial waste (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.: FY2021)

*Unit: Thousand tons

Landfill Rate for Industrial Waste (Mitsui Chemicals Group)

*Landfill rate for industrial waste = Landfill volume/Volume of generated industrial waste

Recycling Ratio (Mitsui Chemicals Group)

*Recycling ratio = Offsite recycling volume/Offsite industrial waste volume (generated outside the factory premises)