For the Environment
The Asahi Holdings Group complies ingood faith with the demands of its
customers and society in order tofulfill its responsibilities as a sensible
corporate group.
INDEX
17

Environmental Impact Resulting
from Business Activities

19

Global Warming Prevention Efforts
Reduction of Environmental Burden

20

Energy-Saving Efforts

21

Reduction of Environmental BurdenThrough Business Activities

23

Environmental Management

For the Environment

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT RESULTING FROM BUSINESS ACTIVITIESWe are expanding business activities on the recycling of precious metals and environmental preservation,
thereby contributing to the protection of the earth’s environment

I NPUT■ Envisioned positive environmental impacts

OUTPUT■ Envisioned negative environmental impacts

Recycling raw materials

Recycling

Recycling

Products

Resources
Cement, raw material for steel,emulsion fuel,fuel for biomass power generation, fuel for cement, gravel, sand,plastic, glass, ﬁre-proof bricks,
fermented compost.

Precious
metal bullions

Dental alloys

Industrial waste■ Effective utilization■ Effective utilization ofof resources

resources

Reuse
Liquid crystal
monitors

Computers

EnergyAsahi Holdings Group■ Effective utilization ofresources

Waste■ Consumption ofresources, Globalwarming* Electrical generation timeat power plants

PlantsBusiness sites,
research lab,etc.

■ Reducing the ﬁnal disposal

volume■ Capacity shortage for ﬁnal

disposal sites

Medicines■ Consumptionof resources

Exhaust fumes

EfﬂuentWater(Puriﬁcation until it is within the standard values for discharge)■ Consumption of resources■ Global warming− 17 −

Environmental Performance
The energy, resources (water), chemicals, and etc, used in our environmental preservation, precious and rare metal recycling businessactivities are listed as “INPUT” data, while the environmental burdens
given off from performing business activities with the substances arelisted as “OUTPUT” data.

The volume of CO2 emission has been decreased by reviewing theproduction efficiency and the disposal process, while we have expanded our business through M&A and have launched new businessprojects.

INPUT
Unit

FY2008FY2009FY2010FY2011FY2012

Electricity

MWh23,167

21,67424,097

23,816

22,669Heavy oilkl

2,406

1,466

1,465

1,192

891

Kerosenekl

547

379

440

440

451

Light oilkl

2,8522,965

3,216

3,200

2,667

Gasoline

kl

804

848

899

914

883

Urban gas

1,000 m3

684

527

64

27

13

LPG

t

18

1720

22

19

Water

1,000 m3

366

345

378

364

336

t

17,347

13,293

13,18914,191

13,319Chemical, etc.

OUTPUTUnit
CO2 emissions

FY2008FY2009FY2010FY2011FY2012t

28,05024,327

24,79823,68325,835Effluent*

1,000 m3

245

208

246

251

217

Waste

t

20,886

16,644

16,24917,71916,174* Purified until it is within the standard values for discharge.

Environmental Accounting
For the promotion of environmental management, we have introduced
environmental accounting starting in FY2005 and publicly disclose
costs related to environmental protection. These are prepared in linewith the Environmental Accounting Guidelines of the Ministry of theEnvironment.

● FY2012 Environmental Preservation Costs(Unit: million yen)

Category

Major Initiatives

Expenses

Investments

376.33

75.45

12.74

49.30

(2)Cost of protecting the earth’s
environment

Control and maintenance of gas emission
facilities, water drainage, and etc.
Energy conservation activities (power-saving,
improvement of fuel-efficiency for vehicles, and etc.)(3) Cost of recycling resources

Entrustment of industrial waste treatment

150.750.00

2. Cost of upstream and downstream

—0.00

0.00

3. Cost of management activities● SO14001 management activities● Disclosure cost of environmental information

69.34

0.00

4. Cost of research and development● Improving efficiency for the precious metal refining process● Decreasing the volume of landfill disposal

67.53

0.00

5. Cost of social activities

Clean up activities in the neighboring
communities

2.53

0.00

(1)Cost of preventing pollution
1. Cost within business areas

6. Cost of handling environmental damages

—0.18

0.00

Total—

679.40124.75− 18 −

For the Environment

GLOBAL WARMING PREVENTION EFFORTS
Target: Cutting GHG* emissions by more than 25% by 2020 from a 2008 base of 100* Energy source CO2 determined in the Global Warming Countermeasures Law

Major Actions① Effective use of waste (alternative use for fossil fuels)② Renewal to energy efficient equipment, facilities and buildings③ Effective use of waste heat from incinerators④ Expansion of use of waste fuels● Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Energy sources : production, transportation and ofﬁces, etc.)
The usage of electricity and fossil fuels was lower than the previousyear, while CO2 emission was 5.4% higher than the previous year at ouroffices* setting targeted values for greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Compared to FY2008, CO2 emission reduced by 23.5%, though it was
the slight shortage of the targeted values. It is because that CO2emission coefficient, which was announced in November 2011, wasraised largely and electricity-derived CO2 emission increased.
FY2012 CO2 emission coefficient, which was calculated by the prerevised emission coefficient, announced in January 2012, 31% downfrom FY2008.
* Targets are business lines at offices, which were operated at the time of FY2008

GHG emission volume for reduction target
GHG emission volume in relation to increases in our number ofbusiness sites● Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Net emissions*: production, transportation and ofﬁces, etc.)
Group-wide CO2 emission, together with energy source CO2 and nonenergy source CO2, increased by 8.2%. It is because non energy source
CO2 emission increased by 8.9%, coupling with swelling the incineration amount of wastes.
Net Emission of Energy Source CO2
Net Emission of Non Energy Source CO2* Calculation of Greenhouse Gas Emission Volume (comply with Law Concerning
the Promotion of the Measures to Cope with Global Warming )[Energy Origin CO2]=[CO2 released in connection with use of electricity and fossil fuels][Net Emissions]=[Energy Origin CO2]+ [CO2 released in connection with incinerationof industrial waste]● Installation of Solar Power Generation System
Asahi Pretec Corp. installed a solar power generation system with ageneration capacity of 20kW at Technical Research Center in January
1998 and at Kobe Office in September 2001. Recently we have set up asolar power generation system with 100kW capacity on the roof ofAmagasaki Plant at Hanshin Office. We will launch a new business selling all the electric power to Kansai Electricity Co., Inc. There is a concernof power supply shortage in summer and winter season within the jurisdiction of Kansai Electricity Co., Inc. We will make contribution to oursociety through the new solar power generation business.

Photovoltaic module (Amagasaki Plant at Hanshin Business Ofﬁce)− 19 −

ENERGY-SAVING EFFORTS● Energy Consumption (production, transportation and ofﬁces, etc.)
Group-wide energy consumption decreased by 4.7% year over year.
Operating conditions at waste incinerators were improved and we
promoted implementation of “saving of energy” by upgrading
equipments in the course of precious metal refinery to eco-friendly.
At Saitama and Chiba recycling centers, fluorescents and mercury
lamps were changed to LED lightning system.

● Vehicle Fuel Consumption (Asahi Pretec)● Changes in Speciﬁc Energy Consumption

compared to FY2008 (Asahi Pretec)
In Environmental Preservation Business, specific energy consumption reduced by 8% due to effective operation of incinerators. In Precious MetalRecycling Business, specific energy consumption was boosted due to impact of production volume.

Eco-friendly drive by utilizing digital tachometer graph has been
actively promoted. We make an effort for improving transport
efficiency by reviewing the routes for collection. FY2012 vehicle fuelconsumption decreased slightly year to year although there weresuperimposed load increase, which leads to low fuel consumption andauto weight increase by introducing boxy trucks.
1086420● Efforts for Improvement of Recycling Rates● Efforts to the Government Request on Power-Energy Saving
We responded to the energy-saving request from each electric powercompany, in particular, by optimizing the program for the production
equipments, reviewing the operating time and introducing a wide varietyof energy-saving devices. Consequently, 10% reduction of the electricity
was achieved over the previous year for the summer time request.

LED lighting system on the high ceiling at Saitama RC− 20 −Companies in Japan have promoted and made an effort for “ZeroEmission”, which resulted in decrease of recyclable wastes. Against thisbackdrop, promotion of using waste oil as alternative fuel and better
materials segregation for information equipments, etc. made FY2012
recycling ration 91.3%, improving by 9.2% year to year.
(Recycling Rates)

For the Environment

REDUCTION OF ENVIRONMENTAL BURDEN THROUGH BUSINESS ACTIVITIESResults of Our Group’s Environmental Burden Reduction (FY2012)

●●●
●

●

●

Minimization of thefinal disposal volumeIT equipment recycling●Freon detoxificationtreatment●

Fuel production forenergy generation●

Fermenting andcomposting

Reduction ofgreenhouse gases

Treatment byincineration●Recycling

Recycling of glass andfire-proof bricks●Construction waste
recycling

Saving exhaustible naturalresources

Business process

Environmental Preservation
Treatment of effluent

Reduction ofenvironmental
burdenPrecious Metal Recycling

We evaluated the major businesses and tasks ofthe company group to see how much of theenvironmental burden in the society as a whole
has been reduced through our businessactivities. As the subjects of evaluation, we makecalculations in regard to (1) the reduction volumeof natural resources, (2) the volume of recycling,(3) the volume of controlled greenhouse gas
emissions and (4) the effects of reduction of final
disposal in the two business divisions - precious
metal recycling and environmental preservation.

●
●

◆

●

Results of reducing the ﬁnal disposal volume: Covers the quantity by which the volume of waste brought to us(excluding waste oil, waste acids, and waste alkalis) is reduced (the quantity that could avoid controlled landﬁlldisposal) as a result of going through our waste treatment process.

●●●◆Calculated by weightNot targeted for numerical evaluation

Results of Saving Exhaustible Natural Resources
Through recycling all kinds of raw materials, we are cutting back on the amount of natural resources (precious metals, non-ferrous metal ores, gravel,sand, agalmatolite, quartz sand, plaster, forests, etc.) that are being mined or felled, thus contributing to the protection of the global environment.

Precious Metal Ores

GravelFossil Fuels

Timber(Precious Metal Recycling)(Construction Waste Recycling)(Effective Use of Waste)(Construction Waste Recycling)

Recycling materials containing a lot ofprecious and rare metals contributes tosaving mineral resources, such as precious
metal ores.

Materials such as sand, gravel and backfill
soil are recycled from construction wastes
like concrete waste.

By making effective use of waste heat
energy (waste oil and plastics, etc.) in an
incinerator, fuels (fossil fuels) required forincineration can be reduced.

Wood chips made from wooden construction waste are used as a carbon-neutral fuelin place of fossil fuels.

2,354.4 Kt /year

26.4 Kt /year

13.1 Kt /year

8.5 Kt /year− 21 −

Recycling (including reuse products)
A variety of industrial wastes are recycled into raw materials and are mainly used to produce the following recycled/reused products:
Wastes used are shown in parentheses “( )”.

Glass cullet(bottles, waste glass sheets)

Fermented compost(Food wastes, organic sludge)

95.9 Kt /year

12.1 Kt /year

Non-ferrous metals materials(Liquid waste containing metals)

Refractory brick paving materials(Furnace waste materials)

4.1 Kt /year

3.8 Kt /year

Clay waste

Gravel, crushed stone(construction materials)

Wood chips(Construction scrap wood)

26.4 Kt /year

8.5 Kt /year(Construction metal scrap, OA equipment)

Fuels/raw materials for cement(Plastic waste, waste oil/liquidwaste, wood chips, sludge)

3.9 Kt /year

5.1 Kt /year

Scrap metals

Emulsion fuels

6.4 Kt /year

2.2 Kt /year

Results of Reducing Greenhouse Gases

Results of Minimizing the Final Disposal Volume

123.2 Kt /year

Waste reduction volume:

We are making contributions to help reduce greenhouse gas emission through business activities such as the collection of precious
metals, glass, fire-proof bricks and CFCs.

The final disposal volume (landfill disposal) can be reduced byincinerating waste.

● GoldWaste

Amount of CO2 emitted frommine production
Amount of CO2 emitted fromour company’s recycling
production

TOPICS32.8 Kt /year

100

75% or greater
reduction

Incinerated
ash

Treatment by incineration

14

Awarded for the great contribution to ”Eco-ship Modal Shift Project”

Ecomax Co., Ltd. has been making an effort to shift its transportation system to environmentally friendly ocean freight by containers from the traditional land transportation when delivering the No.13 industrial waste to the final disposal site after the concrete solidification treatment. Consequently, Ecomax
was accredited as one of the companies who greatly contribute to the “FY2012 Eco-Ship Modal ShiftProject”, which aims to promote environmental preservation and reduces the effect of environment.
*This project was launched by Maritime Bureau, the Japan Ministry of Land, Infrastructure,Transport and Tourism. Qualified companies may put the Eco-Ship Mark, a recognized quality symbol on their vessels and promote their contribution to environmentally friendly logistics services.

− 22 −certiﬁcate of commendation

For the Environment

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
Environmental Management
Promotion System

Environmental Policies
We will contribute to the environmental preservation of the earth
and establish a sound material-cycle society through the company’sbusinesses on recycling of precious and rare metals and industrial
waste treatment.

Our “Company-wide Environmental Purpose/Goal (annual plan)” isdevised based on the Environmental Policy that establishes ourenvironmental preservation philosophy.

(1) In all business activities we will strive to conserve resources andenergy and reduce, reuse, and recycle waste to minimize theenvironmental burden.

With this established, the business offices which have acquired ISO
14001 approval, set the “Center Environmental Purpose/Goal (annualplan)” and implement environmental preservation activities closely
related to their business tasks. Furthermore, the Environment Committee of each center abides by the regulations set by the environmental
law, revises plans and examines environmental education, etc. andprovides reports to the management. While the ISO Office controls
the environmental management system (EMS), an environmental
preservation supervisor is assigned for each business office as an aim
to implement thorough promotion of environmental activities.

(2) We will promote the recycling of resources of precious and rare
metals to achieve a more effective use of the limited resources ofthe earth.
(3) We will adequately and safely perform our operations for thecollection, transportation, and treatment of industrial waste toprevent environmental pollution.
(4) We will prioritize a harmonious coexistence with nature andregional communities. We will strictly follow the relevant
environmental laws and regulations and other requirements
which we recognize.

Management(5) We will establish environmental objectives and targets andperiodically review them to continue improving our activities.

General Internal Auditors(6) We will educate all our employees and increase their environmental awareness as members of the community, promote theirunderstanding of environmental preservation activities, andparticipate in such activities.

Chief Environment Control Manager
General Environment Committee

These environmental policies shall be conveyed to all of ouremployees and all those working for the company and announced
to the public as our commitment.

ISO Ofﬁce
Supervisors

SupervisorsSupervisors

Internal Auditors
Environment Preservation Administrator

ISO14001 Approval

Environment Committee
Asahi Pretec has newly acquired ISO14001 Certificate at 10 locations inFY2012 and consequently 20 locations of Asahi Pretec have theCertificate.

Department

ISO14001 Environmental Audits

Consequently, our group companies as a whole have acquried
ISO14000 Certificate at 10 companies with 33 locations and continue
developing ISO14001 activities.

Regular inspections are carried out on the state of compliance withspecifications by an external examining authority for ISO14001
activities. Moreover, internal environmental audits are conducted atleast once a year at business sites in order to ensure that EMS isbeing properly administered.

ISO14001 Authentication Certiﬁcate

Regular external audit− 23 −