About Murata's
Definition of “Zero Emissions”
Murata defines zero emissions as zero direct landfilling of waste as well as zero landfilling of waste matter remaining after intermediate treatment (i.e., a 100% recycling rate). However, Muratafs zero emission and recycling rate targets exclude waste matter that the Company is unable to process on its own, such as excess sludge in remediation tanks.
Agenda of Meetings between Waste Management Officers
- Inspections of waste management sites at each plant, office and subsidiary
- Presentations and information sharing on waste-reduction case studies
- Exchange of views among participants
- Lectures presenting the latest waste-management information by external experts
Meetings between Waste Management Officers
In fiscal 2006, the amount of waste generated in our offices, plants and subsidiaries in Japan totaled 31,596 tons, a decrease of approximately 3,674 tons from fiscal 2000. In terms of waste materials generated per unit of net production, this is a decrease of about 38% - in line with our targets.
Furthermore, when constructing new office buildings and plants, we maintain a 100% record for recycling of construction waste materials.
Collaboration between Group facilities is vital to reducing waste and raising recycling levels. Accordingly, we periodically hold meetings for the officers responsible for waste management in respective plants, offices and subsidiaries. At these events, participants exchange information and opinions, such as through the presentation of case studies.
Murata is striving to reduce waste liquids and plastics, which account for approximately 70% of total waste. In fiscal 2006, we continued our efforts from the previous year to reduce effluent and bolster polyethylene (PET) film material recycling.
As a result of management of recycling and proper separation of wastes, the materials recycling ratio for fiscal 2006 stayed on target at 100%.
Murata attained zero emissions of waste for its domestic plants during fiscal 2003. In fiscal 2006, we set a new target of zero emissions for our overseas operations by fiscal 2010, and are currently working toward this goal.
To promote enhanced waste management, Murata has introduced an electronic manifesto.
During fiscal 2007, this will be implemented at the Head Office and Yasu Plant, with extension plans for all domestic facilities during fiscal 2008.
Murata discharges used polyethylene (PET) and polypropylene (PP) along with other plastics from its manufacturing sites. By separating this waste, we can facilitate recycling as textile products or agricultural materials, while reducing waste matter.
Using equipment developed by Murata, we are aggressively promoting separation of extraneous matter from PET. I strongly feel that it is the social responsibility of a manufacturer in a recycling-oriented society to establish waste separation technologies as a complement to product manufacturing technologies.
| 
Katsumi Oka
Environmental Management Section,
Administration Department,
Izumo Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd. |
Murata is prioritizing reduction of groundwater at plants and in processes with intensive consumption. In addition, we are promoting the cyclic use of groundwater by reusing reuse cooling water for vacuum pumps by re-cooling it with heat exchangers.
During fiscal 2006, the amount of water used at our offices, plants and subsidiaries in Japan was 8.1 million m3, achieving our target for a reduction of 35% or more from fiscal 2000 figures in terms of consumption per unit of net production.
We are currently striving toward a target of a 55% or more cut in domestic water consumption per unit of net production by fiscal 2010.
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