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Global Recycling
Recycling end-of-life products globally
In order to ensure efficient use of resources and appropriate treatment of hazardous substances, in accordance with recycling regulations in each country and territory of the world, Toshiba Group is promoting the collection and recycling of products that customers have discontinued use of. The Group promotes collection and recycling of end-of-life products while striving to minimize collection and recycling costs as it complies with each country’s recycling scheme. In Japan, in addition to products covered by the Act on the Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances, the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, and other relevant laws, it has established a unique scheme to collect medical equipment, elevators, MFP/POS systems, and other products. Toshiba Group also responds appropriately to the Directive on Waste Electric and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) in Europe*1 and state laws in the United States. Furthermore, it is preparing to respond appropriately to recycling-related laws enacted in China, India, and Australia and those expected to be enacted in the future by governments in Asia, Central and South America, and other regions.
Results of FY2011
In FY2011, in Japan and abroad, Toshiba Group collected about 150,000 tons of end-of-life products, of which it recycled about 119,000 tons. Although the volume of four types of waste home appliances collected in Japan fell compared to the previous year due to the termination of the eco-point system, the Group increased the weight of end-of-life products recycled by 260%, achieving the goal for FY2011,*2 since increased volume of end-of-life products was collected in Europe and North America. In the future, Toshiba Group will continue to increase the volume of end-of-life products collected and recycled in Japan and establish a collection scheme in a wider range of its overseas locations.
Volume of end-of-life products recycled (global)
Looking at the volume of end-of-life products recycled by region, in Japan 80% of the total volume is recycled, with four types of home appliances accounting for the bulk of this. Major items collected and recycled in Europe, which has the next highest recycling ratio after Japan, include TV sets, PCs, multifunctional peripherals (MFPs), and medical equipment. In the U.S., major items include TV sets and PCs. Maintaining the volume of end-of-life products collected in China and other Asian countries as well as preparing to respond to recycling-related laws that are expected to be enacted in other areas are issues to be addressed in the future.
Breakdown of the volume of end-of-life products recycled (FY2011)
Volume of end-of-life products recycled by region (FY2011)
- *1
- The WEEE Directive is a directive of the European Union concerning waste electrical and electronic equipment.
- *2
- The FY2011 goal was to increase the weight of end-of-life products recycled by 170% compared to the FY2001 level.
- *3
- Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM) is a recycling management firm established jointly with Panasonic Corp. and Sharp Corp. in September 2007. For more details visit its website: http://www.mrmrecycling.com/ (A separate window will open.)
Examples of recycling initiatives
In order to properly treat hazardous substances and effectively collect and recycle valuables, Toshiba Group is working to develop and apply recycling technology and promoting recycling in cooperation with local communities and governments.
Case Study 1: Participation in the “WEEE Can Do” project in Thailand / Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd. and Toshiba Group companies in Thailand
Scene from the collection campaign
Toshiba Thailand Co., Ltd. participated in the “WEEE Can Do” project, a campaign aimed at collecting and recycling end-of-life electric and electronic equipment that was carried out under the sponsorship of the Thai government. The company installed recycling boxes at each Toshiba Group company in Thailand, and its employees collected equipment placed inside these boxes. During the campaign (June 2011 to February 2012), Toshiba Thailand collected approximately 1.1 tons of end-of-life products, thus contributing to the success of the project.
Case Study 2: Recycling of toner cartridges in Singapore / Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd./Toshiba Data Dynamics Pte., Ltd./ Toshiba Singapore Pte., Ltd.
Toshiba Asia Pacific Pte., Ltd. is implementing a program to recycle end-of-life toner cartridges in cooperation with local recyclers. The company launched the recycling program in 2009; to date, it has collected 10.2 tons of toner cartridges and recycled them into plastic and other products. For these activities, it received the Singapore Packaging Agreement 3R Packaging Awards 2011 from Singapore’s National Environment Agency. In the future, Toshiba Asia Pacific will continue to operate this program to reduce waste and use resources effectively.
Collection of toner cartridges
Scene from the awards ceremony
Topic: The recycling weight to the sales weight from fiscal year 2001 was shown below (TV, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, and PC) [24 Aug, 2012]
Accumulated Sales Weight (worldwide)
Accumulated Recycled Weight (worldwide)
Topic: Global recycling rates (TVs and PCs) based on the average lifespan of the product [24 Aug, 2012]
The following figures show the global recycling rates regarding TVs and PCs from 2006 to 2011 based on the average life-span of the product.
- For instance,
- The TVs' recycling rate for 2011 means the ratio of the weight of TVs recycled in 2011 against the weight of TVs sold in 2001, based on its lifespan as 10 years.
- The PCs' recycling rate for 2011 means the ratio of the weight of PCs recycled in 2011 against the weight of PCs sold in 2004, based on its lifespan as 7 years.
TVs-Recycled amount and recycling rates (worldwide)
PCs-Recycled amount and recycling rates (worldwide)
Topic: Toshiba started a recycling venture, Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM). [20 Feb. 2008]
Toshiba is now focused on making MRM successful in providing manufacturer-led management of the e-waste issue in the United States in an efficient, cost-effective, and consumer-friendly manner. In January 2008, Toshiba concluded its membership with Electronic Manufacturers Coalition for Responsible Recycling (EMCRR).
Topic: Toshiba Group Position on Individual Producer Responsibility [5 Nov. 2007]
Toshiba Group thinks the concept of IPR is one of the effective approaches to encourage design for recycling. Toshiba has already started its own take back solutions; for example, Toshiba's Trade-In and Recycling Program in the United States and Toshiba's Environmental Recovery and Recycling Effort (TERRE) in Canada.
Toshiba Group believes that a successful recycling system is contingent upon society and the infrastructure that exists in that society. Importantly, Toshiba believes that to maximize recycling, associated costs placed on the general public should be minimal.
Accordingly, the development of recycling systems should take into account national synergies -- including the formation of partnerships or joint efforts -- which can increase efficiencies, drive costs out of recycling systems and lead to increased rates of recycling.
The concept of Individual Producer Responsibility should incorporate flexibility to account for varied national arrangements that, when utilized, may serve to reduce recycling costs in total, resulting in increased recycling rates.
Case Studies in FY2009
Case Study 1: Global recycling of personal computers / Digital Products & Network Company, Toshiba Corporation
In order to implement a PC recycling program in all its sales territories worldwide, Toshiba Corp. has begun to provide PC recycling services there, and these services currently cover more than 80% of these territories. In FY2009, it started to offer these services in India, and in the future, it will consider launching the services in areas that are not yet covered by them.
Areas in which the PC recycling program is implemented
- *
- The WEEE Directive is a directive of the European Union concerning waste electrical and electronic equipment.
Case Study 2: Recycling of TV sets in the United States / Toshiba America Consumer Products L.L.C.*1
In the United States, Toshiba America Consumer Products L.L.C. is contributing to the creation of a recycled-oriented society through the collection and recycling of TV sets by MRM*2, a recycling firm. Along with meeting state statutory regulations, the company is carrying out a collection program at 400 locations in mainland U.S. in order to increase consumer convenience in recycling. In November 2009, MRM won the TV Recycling Challenge award from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for its recycling system and recycling efforts. Toshiba America Consumer Products also collects TV sets through recycling events held in partnership with major retailers and audits recycling firms.
- *1
- Integrated into Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. in July 2010
- *2
- Electronic Manufacturers Recycling Management Company, LLC (MRM) is a recycling management firm established jointly with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. and Sharp Corp. in September 2007. For more details visit its website: http://www.mrmrecycling.com/ (A separate window will open.)
Scene from a recycling event
Winning the TV Recycling Challenge award
Case Study 3: Recycling of toner cartridges in the U.S. / Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc.
Since the autumn of 2008, Toshiba America Business Solutions, Inc. has implemented the Zero Waste to Landfill recycling program in North America in collaboration with Close the Loop Inc*. Toner cartridges, consumables, and replacement parts collected through this program are recycled into materials and such products as park benches.
- *
- Close the Loop Inc. develops business in North America, Australia, and other regions.
Collection box
Case Study in FY2008
Case Study: Recycling of end-of-life electric and electronic equipment, etc. / Term Corporation
When end-of-life electric and electronic equipment is recycled, it is put into a large plant to crush and sort it for treatment, and recycled materials such as iron, aluminum, stainless steel, and plastics are collected through a combination of mechanical (magnetic, excess current, high magnetism) and manual sorting.
Mitigation of Climate Change
Effective Use of Resources
Management of Chemicals
Environmental Management for Factories
Recycling of End-of-Life Products
- Global Recycling
- Recycling in Japan
