Aiming to realize a sustainable society, OMRON strives to reduce the total volume of waste, etc.(※1) by unifying its Group-wide efforts. OMRON also promotes zero emissions efforts aimed at achieving 100% recycling and reuse of waste materials generated from sites through business activities, as opposed to incineration or landfill disposal.

OMRON also established two standards for zero emissions status: Level I(※2) and the more exacting Level II(※3). Japanese sites that have already achieved Level I are working toward Level II, while all overseas sites are striving to achieve Level I.

At production sites, efforts are also geared toward producing products using fewer materials by reducing losses of raw materials and processed parts. Toward this end, OMRON is promoting assessment of data for inputs (materials used) and outputs (products and waste) and increasing the accuracy of data, while continually working to enhance resource productivity as an environmental management indicator.

※1 Waste, etc:

Waste materials generated through business activities, including those that can be sold as usable materials

OMRON's Zero Emissions Standards

※2 Level I :

Recycling rate of 100% achieved without taking into consideration residues remaining after outsourced treatment of waste by a recycling subcontractor.

※3 Level II :

Recycling rate of 98% or higher achieved, including residues remaining after outsourced treatment of waste by a recycling subcontractor. OMRON calls this rate the "real recycling rate."

【Japan】
In fiscal 2010, the volume of waste, etc. per unit of production decreased 54% compared to fiscal 1998, meeting the target of 22% reduction. The total volume of waste, etc. increased 1,000 metric tons from the fiscal 2009 level to 5,800 metric tons. The increased business volume was the main cause for this increase.

On the other hand, the real recycling rate decreased 1% percentage point from the fiscal 2009 level to 95%. OMRON failed to meet the goal of achieving Level II zero emissions status with 98% or higher recycling rate in all Japanese sites, due to a delay in the progress of efforts. However, Level I status was achieved at two additional sites.

【Overseas】
Outside Japan, OMRON worked to meet its target of reducing volume of waste, etc. per unit of production by 16% compared to fiscal 2002. However, the result was a 16% increase in volume of waste, etc. per unit of production. The amount of waste, etc. totaled 9,800 metric tons, or 2,100 metric tons above the fiscal 2009 level. As with Japanese sites, the increased business volume was the main cause for this increase.

As for the zero emissions challenge, Level I status was achieved at two additional sites. The real recycling rate at overseas sites remained unchanged from the fiscal 2009 level of 96%.

 Total Waste Volume(Japan and Overseas)

 Final Disposal of Waste (Japan and Overseas)

 Waste Materials by Category (Japan)

Since fiscal 2008, OMRON has been supporting production with fewer resources through visualization of input resources by assessing the data for input materials and some processed items. Visualization is also promoted on the factory floor as well, sharing information on locations and weight of generated losses and their causes among all related departments. This helps avoid material losses in the production process for reduced input resources.

As part of OMRON’s drive to conserve resources, the Material Flow Cost Accounting^* (MFCA) technique was adopted by OMRON Switch & Devices Corporation in fiscal 2006, and later introduced to three sites in Japan and one site abroad. This helped conserve resources, mainly with regard to metal and molding materials with large amounts of input. Beginning in fiscal 2010, efforts have been geared toward visualizing input resources in cooperation with OMRON Switch & Devices Corporation’s processing subcontractors. Going forward, OMRON will continue working to conserve resources across its overall supply chain.

* Material Flow Cost Accounting (MFCA) is a cost accounting method that treats energy and material losses generated from manufacturing processes as costs of loss and incorporates the quantity and cost data for wasted materials, greenhouse gas emissions, etc. into cost calculations. MFCA regards material, processing and equipment depreciation costs associated with material/energy losses as "negative product costs" which will be taken into account for comprehensive cost analysis and evaluation.

 Raw Material and Processed Parts Input (Japan and Overseas)