Green Factory Certification System
Courtesy :konicaminolta
Green Factory Certification System
Operating a unique certification system to enhance environmental activities at production sites
Konica Minolta has operated its original Green Factory Certification System for comprehensive evaluation of the environmental activities of its production sites since 2010. The purpose of this system is to bring costs down and reduce environmental impact by developing activities in line with each business’s production strategy.
In this system, not only progress against targets but also the implementation process is evaluated. In order to achieve clarity in the evaluation, guidelines have been prepared and a way created to quantify implementation conditions with a score. The guidelines bring together all of Konica Minolta’s know-how in environmental measures, and are comprised of approximately 250 implementation items as well as the evaluation standards for each item. The Group uses the guidelines to improve the quality of its activities.
| Objectives | Management Indicators | Level 1 | Level 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Preventing global warming | CO2 emissions (per unit of production*1) | 12% reduction*5 | 20% reduction*5 | |
| Supporting a recycling-oriented society | Zero waste activities | Waste discharged externally*2 (per unit of sales) | 30% reduction*5 | 50% reduction*5 |
| Final disposal rate of total waste | 0.5% or less | 0.5% or less | ||
| Petroleum-based resource waste*3 (per unit of sales) | 30% reduction*5 | 50% reduction*5 | ||
| Reducing the risk of chemical substances | Atmospheric emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) | Achievement of Fiscal 2012 Targets at each site based on Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2015 | Achievement of fiscal 2015 targets at each site based on Medium-Term Environmental Plan 2015 | |
| Guidelines for managing soil contamination risk | — | Consistent with guidelines | ||
| Restoring and preserving biodiversity | Guidelines for biodiversity preservation (consideration of water resources and wastewater, and proper management of greenery at factories) | — | Consistent with guidelines | |
| Guideline-based activities | Achievement rate of implemented items*4 | 70% or more | 90% or higher | |
- *1
- Per unit of production: Environmental impact in terms of production output or production volume. Each business unit selects the measure that enables its productivity versus CO2 emissions to be evaluated appropriately.
- *2
- Waste discharged externally: Volume discharged outside Konica Minolta sites, obtained by subtracting the internally recycled and reduced volumes from the total waste generated in production processes.
- *3
- Petroleum-based resources waste: Volume of petroleum-based out of total volume of waste discharged externally.
- *4
- The guidelines have a 4- point evaluation benchmark ranging from 0 to 3 points for each implemented item and a standard score which serves as the performance target. The achievement rate refers to the percentage of items that meet the standard score relative to all items.
- *5
- The base year is scal 2005. Based on this numerical value, standards tailored to factory characteristics are established. However, in the event that there is a significant change to production items or production conditions due to business reorganization, the base year may be revised according to the Group’s internal regulation.
Green Factory Achievement Units
In fiscal 2011, all business units* achieved Level 1 certification as planned. In fiscal 2012, five business units (two in China and three in Japan) became the first to attain Level 2. In fiscal 2012, this initiative accounted for significant reductions in environmental impact. Compared to a fiscal 2005 baseline, CO2 emissions were down about 100,000 tons and waste discharged externally was down about 10,000 tons.
- *
- A single business unit is an organization engaged in the same production activities even across different locations. A single location may include several business units.
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