## 3 New Efforts

In order to respond to the recent changes, it is necessary to advance technology development continuously. It is also important that stakeholders control waste generation by 3Rs, especially reduction and reuse, and establish a recycling circle by increasing demand for products using recyclable resources, i.e., increasing in purchasing and using products utilizing recyclable resources, in cooperation with each other; not just waiting for the advancement of technology.

Efforts toward establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society have been advanced on the basis of a new concept which is a pioneer of such movement.

(1) Disposal-aware design, construction, manufacturing and operation efforts

Joint Challenge to Lifecycle Zero Emission by the client, architect and builder (Figure 1-10)

In constructing a new factory of Automobile Manufacturer H, efforts toward environmental considerations, i.e., zero emission, on the whole lifecycle of the factory were undertaken from the perspectives of the client (Company H), the architect (Company N) and the builder (Company K). The client aimed for an environmentally responsible green factory, e.g., reduction of production-related energy consumption installation of solar panels and natural-circulation rooftop gardening utilizing rainwater. The architect designed the building in consideration of recycling efficiency when demolishing the factory 50 or 100 years later (e.g., improvement of segregation and recycling efficiency when demolishing by adopting system toilets, steel partitions and recyclable fireproof panels: demolition-conscious building design). The builder improved the recycling efficiency when demolishing by adopting recyclable construction materials and methods at the stage of construction as well as making efforts toward zero emission of construction byproducts which are generated during the construction such as thorough segregation and reduction of wastes by using leased goods. As a result, the environmental impact was reduced at the stages of design, construction, operation and demolition of the factory, and the wastes in demolishing which have the greatest impact were drastically reduced and the recycling efficiency was substantially improved (90% or more of used construction materials (by weight) are recyclable).

(2) Efforts to encourage concerned parties to voluntarily deal with 3Rs utilizing the market mechanism

○ Utilization of 3Rs eco-points (Figure 1-11)

Efforts for 3Rs promotion using points have been advanced nationwide. For instance, Gifu Eco-life Promotion Project provides points to people who cooperate in the effort such as reduction of plastic grocery bags, bringing of own chopsticks, promotion of simple packaging, sale by measure and bringing own packages coupled with two cities and nine towns in Seino region and five cities and three towns in Gifu region. People can exchange certain points to eco-goods, etc. More than 800 shops have cooperated in this effort. There is not only an effect of inducing citizens' 3Rs activities but also a possibility to boost demand for shops handling environment-friendly goods or for environment-friendly products.

Figure 1-10 Disposal-aware design, construction, manufacturing and operation efforts

Adoption of a toilet unit (left-hand picture) and steel partitions (right-hand picture) made of materials and structures designed for segregation when scrapping and recycling efficiency

Source: Ogawa Plant, Saitama Factory, Honda Motor Co., Ltd.