Circular Economy
To make effective use of limited resources, the Tokai Rika Group is promoting the cyclical use of various resources such as resins and metals used in the production of products. In addition, as the use of water is indispensable in production activities, we are working to reduce the impact on the discharge destination and reduce the risk of drought by reducing the amount used and thoroughly controlling the water quality.
Development of upcycled products
Among the new business ideas of our employees, many of them suggested that we could contribute to a recycling-oriented society by utilizing the seatbelt scraps that are inevitably produced in the production process. In addition to improvement activities to reduce the amount of scrap materials, we are taking advantage of the material’s durability and high quality to recycle and commercialize it as pen cases and fashion accessories. We will continue our sustainable activities by calling on sewing factories and companies that manufacture vinyl curtains in Aichi Prefecture to cooperate with us and contribute to the revitalization of local communities by combining the scraps of vinyl curtains provided into their designs, thereby increasing the product value.
Participation in Circular Partner
Circular Partners is a partnership established by the Japanese government, local governments, universities, business and industry organizations, and related institutions and organizations that are ambitious and progressive in their efforts to realize a circular economy. The partnership aims to establish a “Circular Economy Information Distribution Platform” to promote the distribution of data in order to formulate a vision and medium- to long-term roadmap for the realization of the circular economy, and to visualize information on products and materials and their actual state of circulation.
Reduction of waste materials in production
We are working on reducing the discharge of waste materials and using resources efficiently by engaging in renewable activities such as recycling resin materials and developing upcycled products using waste materials, in addition to thoroughly implementing the 3Rs such as improving production yield, reducing the rate of defects, reusing metal waste materials, and making materials paperless. We manage the amount of waste generated and the status of waste treatment using the comprehensive waste management service GENESYS ECO.
In addition, once a year, we confirm that waste disposal is being conducted properly through on-site inspections and written confirmation of the contractors to whom we outsource waste disposal.
Plastic reuse
We are working on in-process reuse of runners generated in the molding process. The runners generated are crushed in a crusher, and then mixed with crushed material and new material at a certain ratio in an agitator-type mixer, allowing them to be reused in molding materials without affecting quality. This eliminates runner waste and allows plastic materials to be used without waste. In addition, to reduce plastic waste throughout the supply chain, we have established a resource recycling system in cooperation with our suppliers. Plastic scraps from suppliers are collected from empty spaces in logistics trucks, processed into recycled materials at recycling plants, and sold.
Reduction of packaging material
In order to reduce the amount of materials used for packaging and wrapping products, we are working to improve packing methods and make packaging materials returnable.
Reduction of the amount of plastic used in packaging materials
To reduce the environmental impact of logistics, we are actively promoting efforts to reduce the use of packaging and wrapping materials. For steering switches, we have reduced the thickness of the nonwoven fabric bags used to protect the design surface during transportation, thereby reducing the amount of packaging materials used while maintaining product quality. We are also making improvements to minimize the use of packaging and wrapping materials without sacrificing quality by switching from corrugated cardboard to reusable plastic for returnable packaging, simplifying packaging, and reassessing packing methods.
Reduction of the use of water
To identify water resource risks for each production site, we use Aqueduct, an international assessment tool, to identify regions and entities with high water risk.
Tokai Rika Group has identified four sites in China, India, and Indonesia as high-risk areas. Not only the sites identified as high risk, but the entire Tokai Rika Group is working to improve water use efficiency, reuse, and reduce water withdrawal.
Reuse of water in the manufacturing process
In the plating process, part of the waste water is treated in the ion exchange tower and then reused in the process. We also reuse the concentrated waste water, produced in the pure water manufacturing process, needed for removing the smallest particles of dirt in the semiconductor manufacturing process and some pure water used in dirt removal, to reduce the water consumption and amount of waste water.
