In accordance with the Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law, we report the proper treatment 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 rate for industrial waste to 1% or less. We promote waste recycling, waste reduction by incinerating it using recovered energy, and reduction of industrial waste emissions outside of our plants in order to reduce the amount of waste ultimately disposed of. We have continuously succeeded in minimizing the volume of industrial waste, reaching another landfill rate target for industrial waste in fiscal 2024.
*Please refer here for scope of data.
Industrial Waste Minimization Initiatives
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 companies to which we outsource work. We are also expanding off-site initiatives by identifying and engaging new waste disposal partners.
On-Site Initiatives
- Raw polymers generated in the manufacturing process are returned to the ethylene cracker and recycled. (Chemical recycling)
- Incineration of waste oil, including fuel use and energy recovery.
- Reduction of waste emissions outside the plant by neutralizing and dehydrating waste acid.
- We reduce waste by developing new buyers for valuable industrial waste such as waste plastic, drums, and waste oil.
- Promotion of reuse of products and raw material containers, among others.
- Through enhancements in equipment and manufacturing methods, we have improved the recovery rates of raw materials and resources.
Off-Site Initiatives
- Reuse as solid material for fuel.
- After incineration, the ash is recycled into concrete materials and roadbed materials.
- Fuel use and energy recovery from waste oil.
Industrial Waste Treatment Process (Mitsui Chemicals Group: FY2024)
*Unit: Thousand tons
*Any minor discrepancies in percentages are due to rounding.
*1 Total waste generated:
Total waste generated is calculated based on the type of industrial waste as defined in the Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law (or local laws and regulations for overseas), including sludge (after dewatering), waste plastic, soot, and dust.
*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 weight reduction 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 ash is included in the off-site landfill volume.
*4 Landfill:
On-site landfill volume is the amount disposed of at the plant's own landfill. Off-site landfill volume is the final amount disposed of at an external treatment operator's landfill. Both include landfill of incinerated ashes.
*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 Rate for Industrial Waste (Mitsui Chemicals Group)
*Landfill 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 2024, the recycling rate declined due to changes in the scope of group companies, following structural adjustments. The decline also reflects a more rigorous definition of recycling, which clarified that the use of materials as fuel constitutes incineration rather than recycling.
We will continue our efforts to achieve sustainable resource circulation by ensuring highly transparent data management.
Recycling of Waste Plastics
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 2024, we reduced the waste plastic volume to 8,600 tons, well below the target of 20,000 tons or less. However, the recycling rate was 91.8%, falling short of the 95% target.
Processing of Plastic Industrial Waste (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc. : FY2024)
*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, while this is defined overseas in accordance with the Basel Convention or the hazardous waste regulations of that country. For waste defined as hazardous waste, we have established disposal rules in our company rules, and conduct strict management to ensure that they are disposed of appropriately.
First of all, the Mitsui Chemicals Group is eliminating hazardous substances by incineration or detoxifying them to the extent possible. For example, acidic toxic gases are alkalized (neutralized) through a detoxification facility and converted to other non-toxic substances before disposal.
In addition, off-site hazardous waste is disposed of at a specified controlled disposal facility and reported in an electronic manifest.
In accordance with the "Act on Preventing Mercury Pollution of the Environment," no new mercury-containing substances will be used. Mercury contained in fluorescent lamps, etc. in use is disposed of appropriately as specified controlled industrial waste in accordance with company rules.
Employee Training
Our Group promotes accurate awareness related to waste and fosters understanding of appropriate disposal procedures through e-learning and other educational initiatives.