CASE STUDY

Mitsubishi pioneers metals recycling scheme in Japan

Mitsubishi recycling plantMoving on from the throwaway society and finding new ways to preserve and re-use existing materials has become a key aspect of sustainable development. Mitsubishi Materials has been playing an important part in this process through its support for initiatives at six pioneering recycling plants in Japan.

Recycling home appliances

Working in partnership with home appliance manufacturers, Mitsubishi draws on expertise in such areas as separating and recovering substances, environmental impact assessments and microanalysis to support the recycling and re-use of up to 70% of different household products. In addition to established recovery operations for such products as air conditioners, refrigerators and washing machines, Mitsubishi has expanded its flat screen television recycling line and is aiming to process around 14,000 television sets a year from now on.

A key priority, according to the company, is to cope with the rising tide of redundant cathode-ray televisions which are expected in 2011 as Japan switches over to terrestrial digital broadcasting. This will mean increasing the workforce and expanding operating hours.

Mitsubishi supports the recycling and re-use of up to 70% of different household products

The catalyst for recycling in Japan has been a spate of new legislation which requires manufacturers and other interested parties to re-use and recycle different consumer products. As far back as 1995, Mitsubishi was the only non-home appliance manufacturer to play its part in developing a workable system.

Today, Japan’s virtuous circle of recycling begins in the home as used products are collected and increasingly end up back there as new products featuring recycled components are purchased by the consumer.

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CASE STUDY DETAILS

Published
03 August 2010
Company
Mitsubishi Materials Corporation

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SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT FRAMEWORK

Principle 04:

Implement risk management strategies based on valid data and sound science.

Principle 08:

Facilitate and encourage responsible product design, use, re-use, recycling and disposal of our products.

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