To effectively use limited resources, Nissan promotes both measures to curb waste at its source in plant operations and activities to recycle resources after thoroughly separating waste.
Outline of activities
Three R activities: By reducing, reusing, and recycling, we are working to lower the volume of waste and improve our recycling rate.* One example is our achievement of zero direct landfill in 2006.
- *Recycling rate: The percentage of the total amount of waste generated that is recovered and reused, with heat recovery (heat used to create steam for manufacturing) included in the calculation.
Examples of three R activities
- Reduce: By modifying the method used to apply machining oil in engine machining processes, we are reducing both oil waste and the total amount of oil used.
- Reuse: By modifying the specifications of packing materials that had previously been disposed of after a single use, we are making it possible to use them a number of times.
- Recycle: Waste sludge that had been put in landfills in the past is being used to make cement.
Results of efforts to raise the recycling rate
Recovery Rate
In line with the objectives of our medium-term environmental action plan, NGP2010, we have been working to achieve a 100% recovery rate for our operations in Japan and bring this rate to an automotive-industry-leading level in each region of the globe. Our efforts have paid off. As of the end of 2010, we have achieved this 100% recovery rate at all of our production sites in Japan: five manufacturing plants, two operations centers and five affiliates.
At the global level, laws and infrastructure differ by country. With this in mind, we are making efforts to make Nissan's recycling rate the best in the industry for each country where we have a major production site.
