Here we introduce some of the initiatives undertaken by our production bases outside Japan.
Promoting Recycling Confirming to European Union Directives (U.K.)
In 2007, the European Union strengthened their regulations regarding waste landfill. Printer ink producer FUJIFILM Speciality Ink Systems Ltd. (FSIS) used this opportunity to undertake the following initiatives in order to promote both environmental consideration and cost reduction related to waste disposal.
Recycling Details
- Raw material container recycling：Landfill of raw material containers (330,000) not requiring special treatment finished in 2008, subsequently re-crafted and recycled. Disposal containers for raw materials requiring special treatment were incinerated and thermal recycled.
- 200L drum can closed looping：All 200L drum cans recycled in 2010. Before that, over 5,300 200L drum cans were landfilled or disposed as scrap. Also, 3,000 new drum cans would be purchased every year for internal use. But now, all of those 200L drum cans are recovered and sold to the FSIS at low cost for use as cleaned reclaimed goods.
- Recycling of steel and plastic containers used for raw materials requiring special treatment：These containers (approx. 75 tons/year) are recovered, cleaned, then re-used for automobile bumpers, safety cones used for traffic policing, coat hangers and more.
Much of the waste is recyclable, but the 2.8% that is difficult to recycle is landfilled and remain for disposal. Still, the FSIS proceeded with further examination, and negotiation with two special suppliers in 2013 allowed for the recycling of even the more difficult waste. In one instance, waste powder is sent to thermal recycling. As for the other, glass containers with impurities attached to them are crushed, mixed with other objects, and used as subbase course material.
Such initiatives are not just recycling waste according to European Union directives, but are also linked to reducing waste disposal costs.
Zero-emission Achievement and Maintenance (Belgium)
FUJIFILM Hunt Chemicals Europe, N.V., producer and seller of photoresistors and flat panel display materials, achieved zero-emissions in 2000, which they have continued from that time. At present, they strive for activities that increase recycle quality, and put effort into stock management to avoid generating chemical waste. From the basic idea of "avoiding waste" they make pertinent use of storehouse management to prevent any expiration. Chemicals that are difficult to move are disposed of under appropriate conditions before they expire.
Recycling Details
- Industrial wrapping film, paper, cardboard, wood, scrap metal：All are recycled.
- All plastic, 60L drum cans, containers：Sent to markets for re-use via suppliers.
- Chemicals (developers/fixing agents)：Used as supplemental energy in cement manufacturing, and as raw material for Renoxal (the product), and are linked to the reduction of NOx emissions.
- Components for contaminated packaging waste bag：Useful as incineration fuel for energy recycling.
ISO14001 Acquired for All Laboratories (France)
Laboratories FUJIFILM S.A. acquired ISO14001 certification in seven French laboratories in February 2008 that handle film development and picture printing. That company strives to improve its recycling rates.
Recycling Details
- Chemicals (color developer)：65％recycled
- Chemicals (blanching fixing agent)：86％recycled
- Silver：85.47% recycled on average (3,156 kg of silver recovered/sold in 2007. The recycling goal for 2008 is 90%.)
- Drum cans：2007 waste down 22% from previous year
- QuickSnaps：197 tons of QuickSnaps recovered/recycled in 2007
Waste Reduction Project Implemented (Belgium)
FUJIFILM Electronic Materials (Europe) N.V. systematically implemented a waste reduction project in 2007. They take measures such as additional collection and delivery of raw materials for returnable wrapping, abolition of excess packaging, and reduction of batch delivery package waste. By converting gross waste matter weight, they reduced waste from 3,465 tons in 2001 to 1,750 tons in 2006.
Photographic Print Paper Recycling Project (China)
FUJIFILM Hong Kong Limited started a recycling project in 2005 for photographic print paper and inkjet printer wastepaper produced at the Fujifilm Fujinomiya factory, Japan. This paper is coated in chemicals, requiring a special recycling process. They searched for processing plants in China and established the recycling technology. Photographic print paper and inkjet printer paper is separated into base paper, plastic film, paper-making pulp, silver, etc. and restored to materials at a usable level. Wastepaper produced after June 2006 was sent from Japan to the Xiamen recycling plant, which went into full-scale operation in 2008. Approximately 300 tons of wastepaper recycling is estimated annually.
