Promotion of Resource Circulation

We are working to reduce the size and weight of our multifunction devices and printers.
The Apeos C320 z, launched in April 2021, has achieved a 30% reduction in weight and a 40% reduction in volume compared to previous models by reducing the number of parts and reviewing the design layout. By reducing the weight of parts and materials used, we have also achieved a reduction in CO2 emissions.

To reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics, we use flame-resistant biobased plastic parts made from "cellulose" obtained from wood materials.

To help solve the marine litter problem, which is having a serious impact on marine life and ecosystems, we took on the challenge of utilizing plastics made from marine plastic litter as raw materials for the main body parts of our multifunction devices to help promote the collection of marine plastic litter.
In February 2024, we started to introduce plastic cover parts made of marine plastic and recycled plastic as raw materials for the main body of the remanufactured machine, the first attempt in the industry^*1.

• *1 According to our own research.

End-of-life products are automatically classified as either for reuse or for recycling by the "Collection Judgment System" upon receipt of a cancellation/collection order registered in the core system.
Based on the collection instructions issued, eligible machines are sent to the production sites of the remanufactured machines, whereas the machines for recycling are sent to the recycling partner companies, then they proceed to the reuse/recycling process respectively.

In 2017, we achieved the recycling of toner carriers^*1, which have an important function in the electrophotographic process, and use recycled toner carriers for some of the toner carriers required for the production of developer^*2.
In addition to toner carriers, we continue to take on the challenge of reusing many other functional materials.

• *1 Particles about 35um in size with a special coating of magnetic powder that has the function of carrying toner to the photoreceptor.
• *2 Powder consisting of toner and toner carrier

Used products generated nationwide that are determined to be recyclable through the "Collection Judgment System" are delivered to recycling sites.
At the recycling sites, the products are disassembled and sorted by our recycling partners who possess the latest recycling technologies, and are ready to be reused as resources.
In 2000, we achieved a recycling rate^*1 of over 99.5% (zero waste to landfill) in Japan, and we have maintained zero waste to landfill ever since.

• *1 Percentage by weight of recovered used products (excluding reused products) that are recycled as materials or heat

Used machines and consumables are recycled by our recycling partners throughout Japan.
Collaboration with recycling partners in each region not only enables us to utilize the latest recycling technologies, but also to reduce CO2 emissions by reducing transportation distances.

Super EA-Eco toner reduces toner consumption by improving transfer efficiency^*1 through the uniform particle shape and form distribution achieved by the EA manufacturing method (emulsion polymerization method).
Furthermore, by reducing the particle size, the thickness of the transferred toner is thinner than that of conventional EA toner, resulting in reduced toner consumption.
Furthermore, the toner fusing temperature^*2 is reduced by up to 35°C compared to conventional EA toner, reducing power consumption during fusing.
This contributes to a decarbonized society.

• *1 Efficiency of transferring toner adhering to the photoreceptor to paper
• *2 Temperature at which toner is melted during fusing to paper

We are expanding the reuse rate of parts by using a usage history information system to match approximately 30 types of usage history information from the approximately 200 types of usage history information recorded on MFPs with a database of parts life expectancy to automatically diagnose the remaining life expectancy of each part and determine whether it can be reused.

In 1998, we began utilizing recycled plastic from collected in-house products as raw materials.
We sort, crush, and wash the ABS plastic parts of the outer covers and paper trays of used products, and use these as raw materials to introduce them into our own products as recycled plastic equivalent to newly manufactured ABS plastic.
This recycled plastic is guaranteed to be of the same quality as newly manufactured ABS resin, and has acquired UL (Underwriter's Laboratories) certification, a U.S. safety testing organization.

To reduce the use of petroleum-based plastics, we are conducting research and development of plant-derived biobased plastics. Conventional wood-based biobased plastics have had difficulty in achieving high flame retardancy and dimensional stability.
We have solved this problem by thoroughly screening flame retardants that have high affinity with cellulose and dispersing them uniformly and isotropically using our proprietary cellulose/ABS alloy technology, and are using them as interior materials for products.

When reusing parts removed from collected used products, we clean them using reduced water that has high cleaning power against oil and grease stains, which is produced in-house at our factory.

Exterior plastics that could not be reused due to yellowing over time have been successfully removed from yellowing by introducing blast cleaning technology, allowing them to be recycled as reusable parts.
Blast processing technology is generally used for deburring to shave the surface of plastics and for the production of frosted glass, but it was extremely difficult to find a suitable abrasive that would not damage the exterior cover but was strong enough to remove the yellowing.
Finding the appropriate abrasive has enabled us to successfully utilize the blasting process technology to remove yellowing from exterior covers, contributing to an increase in the reuse rate of exterior covers.
By introducing the technology into the production process starting in June 2023, the reuse rate of the exterior cover parts could be increased from about 50% before the technology was introduced to around 80%.

In order to promote the effective use of resources used in our business activities, we are appropriately managing waste at offices (non-production sites) as well as at production sites. At domestic office sites, we have computerized manifests (industrial waste management forms) and are improving the level of legal compliance management of industrial waste. We have confirmed that our overseas offices manage waste in accordance with the laws and infrastructures of each country, and will continue to do so based on compliance.