Green Product Lifecycle
Environment
- The Konica Minolta Group is committed to environmentally sound production by taking various measures such as minimizing waste.
Three sites in China achieved level 2 zero waste goals
Figure: Donated trash bins made
of leftover plastic to an asylum
in Wuxi city (Wuxi, China)
Figure: Cartridge cover made of
leftover plastic (Dongguan, China)
The Konica Minolta Group strives to reduce waste generated from our sites (offices) and is committed to “zero waste activities” to minimize the final amount of waste produced. We have established our own two level criteria: Level 1 calls for a reduction in the final disposal volume by recycling waste, and Level 2 requires a reduction in the volume of waste per unit of sales. Zero waste efforts are being undertaken at each site worldwide. In April 2009, three sites in China achieved Level 2 by various means including reduction of waste cardboard boxes. In Japan, all production sites achieved Level 2 status by fiscal 2007. The criteria for these two levels include targets for cost and risk reductions, and such alignment with corporate management is typical of zero waste activities.
Production site improvements by energy management experts
Figure: Konica Minolta Business
Technologies (WUXI) Co., Ltd.
Figure: Konica Minolta
Opto (DALIAN) Co., Ltd.
The Konica Minolta Group has implemented an “Energy-Conservation Support Program” for reducing CO2 emissions from our production sites. Under this program, energy management experts are sent to various sites to check energy and equipment use, and to recommend and implement energy-conservation measures suitable for each site. This program is in place in a total of five sites, including two Chinese sites and one US site which joined the program in fiscal 2008 (as of June 2009).
Greening roofs of Sites
Figure: New building at
Sayama Site in Osaka
Figure: Natural light from atrium
on the top floor
“Rooftop greening”, which creates a green space on the roof of buildings, contributes to combating global warming, as well as reducing the heat island effect around the site. The Konica Minolta Group is promoting rooftop greening projects, starting with the Konica Minolta Itami Site. At the Konica Minolta Sayama Site in Osaka, a new building completed in April 2008 not only has a green space on the rooftop, but also a courtyard on the top floor. Since more natural light comes into the building, the need for lighting is reduced, providing additional energy savings. The building has received wide spread recognition for being environmentally conscious and was awarded the “2008 Osaka Sustainable Architecture Award Special Prize” sponsored by Osaka Prefecture.
