In accordance with the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning, we report the proper management of industrial waste through electronic manifests. By accumulating and analyzing data such as the types and volumes of waste, we develop measures to reduce emissions and improve recycling rates.
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Environmental Protection
Industrial Waste
The Mitsui Chemicals Group aims at minimizing the landfill disposal rate for industrial waste to 1% or less. We are promoting reductions in the volume of waste generated by our business activities that is discharged outside our plants, primarily through waste prevention and effective utilization within our manufacturing processes. Furthermore, we promote the effective use of resources by recycling waste discharged outside our plants as valuable materials.
We also promote the recycling of industrial waste and waste reduction through incineration with energy recovery, thereby reducing the amount of waste ultimately sent to landfill. Through these efforts, we have continued to minimize industrial waste, achieving our target of keeping the landfill disposal rate for industrial waste at 1% or less in fiscal 2025.
*Please refer here for scope of data.
Industrial Waste Minimization Initiatives
The Mitsui Chemicals Group is committed to reducing its environmental impact through the minimization of industrial waste.
On-site, we promote the effective use of resources by reducing waste generation through improvements to manufacturing processes, as well as through thorough recycling and proper waste sorting.
Off-site, we work with recycling-capable industrial waste treatment contractors to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. We monitor the treatment status of industrial waste through the electronic manifest system and other measures, while ensuring the reliability of waste treatment data through third-party certification. Through these efforts, we promote proper treatment and further reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.
On-Site Initiatives
- By-products generated at plastic manufacturing facilities are returned to feedstock production facilities (such as ethylene crackers) and recycled. (Chemical recycling)
- Reuse by-product oil generated in the manufacturing process as boiler fuel.
- Reduce industrial waste generation through wastewater treatment processes, including neutralization and activated sludge treatment.
- Recycle organic sludge into resources (such as fertilizer).
- Plastics no longer needed at factories and laboratories, metals such as drums, and waste oil are properly sorted and recycled through external recycling contractors. (Material recycling)
- Promote initiatives to conserve resources such as raw materials through improvements to equipment and manufacturing methods.
- Promote paperless operations, the use of recycled paper, and thorough collection and recycling of waste paper.
Off-Site Initiatives
- Convert waste plastics and other materials into solid fuel (RPF: Refuse-Derived Paper and Plastics Densified Fuel).
- Recycle incineration ash into cement raw materials, construction materials, and other products.
- Send waste oil and other waste to certified waste heat recovery facility operators that comply with Ministry of the Environment standards for heat recovery (Thermal recycling).
- Use waste oil effectively as recycled fuel through dehydration, blending, and other processes.
- Convert waste plastics into oil and reuse it as feedstock for ethylene production.
Industrial Waste Treatment Process (Mitsui Chemicals Group: FY2025)
*Unit: Thousand tons
*Any minor discrepancies in percentages are due to rounding.
*1 Total waste generated:
Total waste generated is calculated based on the definition of industrial waste under the Act on Waste Management and Public Cleaning Law (or applicable local laws and regulations for overseas operations), including sludge (after dewatering), waste plastic, soot, and dust and other waste.
*2 Recycling:
On-site recycling volume is the amount recycled at plants. Off-site recycling volume is the amount of waste reused as raw materials outside plants.
*3 Incineration:
On-site incineration volume is the amount of waste reduction resulting from on-site incineration treatment within the plant. All incinerated ash is included in the waste sent off-site or the on-site landfill volume. Off-site incineration volume is the weight reduction resulting from incineration outside the plant. Incinerated residue is included in the off-site landfill volume when it is disposed of in a landfill after incineration.
*4 Landfill:
On-site landfill volume is the amount disposed of at the plant's own landfill. Off-site landfill volume is the amount disposed of at an external treatment operator's landfill. Both include the volume of incineration residue disposed of in landfills after incineration.
*5 Energy recovery:
The amount of waste used to generate electricity from the heat produced during incineration for boilers and power generation. This includes cases where waste oil and other materials are used for fuel purposes such as boiler fuel.
*6 Hazardous waste:
Specially controlled industrial waste stipulated by the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act in Japan. In other countries, this is calculated based on local laws and regulations or the Basel Convention definition of hazardous waste.
Landfill Disposal Rate for Industrial Waste (Mitsui Chemicals Group)
*Landfill disposal rate for industrial waste = Landfill volume/Total waste generated
Recycling Rate (Mitsui Chemicals Group)
*Recycling rate = Off-site recycling volume/Waste sent off-site (generated outside the factory premises)
In fiscal 2025, the recycling rate declined due to a decrease in the amount of industrial waste available for recycling during periods of lower plant operating rates. We will continue to promote recycling and strive to achieve a sustainable circular use of resources.
Recycling of Waste Plastics (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. : FY2025)
In response to the Law for Promotion of Recycling of Plastic Resources, we are striving to maintain a high recycling rate, targeting an annual waste plastic volume of 20,000 tons or less and a recycling rate of 95% or higher in fiscal 2030.
In fiscal 2025, we reduced the waste plastic volume to 8,500 tons, well below the target. However, the recycling rate was 90.3%, falling short of the target.
Processing of Plastic Industrial Waste (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. : FY2025)
*Unit: Thousand tons
Initiatives to Reduce Disposal of Hazardous Waste
We define hazardous waste as specially controlled industrial waste in Japan as defined by the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, and overseas, in accordance with the Basel Convention or the hazardous waste provisions of the relevant country’s regulations and standards. For all waste, including hazardous waste, we have established disposal rules in our company rules, and conduct strict management to ensure compliance with the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act and the proper treatment of such waste.
In addition, off-site hazardous waste is entrusted to contractors licensed by local governments to conduct specially controlled industrial waste disposal operations, and is treated at their facilities. Its disposal status is appropriately managed and verified through the electronic manifest system and other measures.
Furthermore, we periodically conduct on-site inspections of industrial waste treatment facilities to verify that waste treatment is being carried out appropriately.
Employee Training
Our Group promotes accurate awareness related to industrial waste and fosters understanding of appropriate disposal procedures through e-learning and other educational initiatives.