There is an emerging global trend toward the recycling and reusing of resources due to concerns about natural resource depletion and marine plastic pollution.
To ensure more efficient use of limited resources and reduce waste, Canon is making products smaller and lighter, and reusing and recycling materials as much as possible. We also strive to reduce waste consumption and the generation of waste from manufacturing at our operational sites.
Canon has five sites conducting recycling in four regions around the world.
We are continuing initiatives aimed at circulating resources within the same regions where they are consumed.
Canon pursues product-to-product recycling—in other words, recycling used products into new ones. In particular, we have emphasized such initiatives as closed-loop recycling of toner cartridges and the remanufacturing of office multifunction devices—collecting them post-use and making them into products with good-as-new quality.
Since 2008, we have taken 37,917 tons of plastics from used products for recycling as raw materials, and another 30,690 tons of products and parts were reused directly.
Currently, Canon has five sites conducting recycling, in Japan, Europe (two sites), the United States, and China. We are continuing initiatives aimed at circulating resources within the same regions where they are consumed.
In February 2018, we opened the Canon Eco Technology Park, based on a “clean and silent” design concept which overturns the traditional image of recycling operations. This facility features advanced systems including automated recycling system of toner cartridges and ink cartridges to boost recycling efficiency further.
Moreover, the facility serves as a hub for Group environmental activities. Offering field trip courses and a showroom, it is used as an environmental education center for elementary school pupils and other groups from the general public.
In 2019, in the 28th Grand Prize for the Global Environment Awards, sponsored by the Fujisankei Communications Group in Japan, the Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Award was presented to the Canon Eco Technology Park with Canon Recycling Technologies for “efforts for social issue resolution toward the creation of a circular economy.
Canon gives careful consideration to collection and recycling of end-of-life products from the design and development stage, through the use of Lifecycle Assessments (LCA) and the Product Assessment System. To assist these efforts in the design stage we formulated the Environmentally Conscious Design Guidance, which covers an array of considerations, including product-related environmental laws and regulations, Green Public Procurement standards, and environmental label standards in the countries where we sell our products. The Environmentally Conscious Design Guidance contains design guidelines relating to such matters as reduced use of materials by making products lighter, smaller, longer-lived, and easier to maintain, ease of disassembly, ease of sorting materials following disassembly, and information disclosure.
"EOS RP" digital mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens
PIXMA series of inkjet printer "TR703"
Canon is making efforts across a wide range of product types to make its products smaller and lighter to help reduce the consumption of resources in the form of raw materials.
Released for sale in 2019, the EOS RP digital mirrorless camera with interchangeable lens features high image resolution, speedy autofocus, and multiple photographic functions as part of a complete performance package, yet at the same time realizes a light weight of around 485g (incl. battery/card), less than a beginner’s single-lens reflex camera, making this the most compact and most lightweight model in the Canon full-frame EOS series.
In the PIXMA series of inkjet printers, the new TR703 model achieves an approximately 18% reduction in the floor area required for installation compared to the previous iP7230 model thanks to the new architecture. The compacter dimensions are accompanied by a weight reduction of approximately 18%.
We collect used devices and break them down into parts, which are washed and cleaned. We replace any parts that show wear or deterioration. When a remanufactured device is shipped, it is guaranteed to offer the same level of quality as a new product.
Since 1992, Canon has undertaken remanufacturing of used multifunction devices. We collect used devices and break them down into parts, which are washed and cleaned using optimal techniques. Following strict reuse standards, we replace any parts that show wear or deterioration. The production line and inspection processes used are on a par with those for devices made only with new parts. When a remanufactured device is shipped, it is guaranteed to offer the same level of quality as a new product.
We market remanufactured devices from the imageRUNNER ADVANCE series under the Refreshed series brand in Japan and under the EQ80 series brand in Europe.
The used products that have been collected are gathered up and go through an initial check
The exterior covers and parts are removed
The body's frame and the parts that were disassembled are cleaned
The cleaned frames are assembled with new and reused parts, and then the exterior covers are attached.
The same inspection as for new products are done to make sure that all the functions work appropriately.
The products are packaged just like a new product, and the sent to market.
In 2019, Canon launched sales of a new product under the Refreshed series brand, the imageRUNNER ADVANCE C3330F-RG, a special environmentally conscious model with an increased reused parts ratio. Using meticulous washing and cleaning processes, with sandblast polishing* to remove the smallest imperfections and other special treatments, a reused parts ratio of over 90% has been achieved.
* A technique for polishing resin surfaces by blasting with microparticles
Canon operates recycling programs including Toner Cartridge Collection and Recycling Program which enable plastic material to be used repeatedly.
In 1990, Canon launched its Toner Cartridge Collection and Recycling Program, the first such program in the industry. The program is continuing operating today. Returned used toner cartridges are brought to Canon recycling sites, where they are sorted by model and the reusable parts are picked out. Washing and maintenance are performed as needed, and the parts are then reused in new products. Parts that cannot be reused are crushed and separated by material using physical characteristics such as electrostatic properties and specific gravity.
The primary material of toner cartridges is the high-impact polystyrene (HIPS) used primarily for the housing. HIPS can be used repeatedly to make new toner cartridges a unique feature of Canon’s closed-loop recycling process.
We conduct used toner cartridge collection in 23 countries and regions (with a cumulative collection volume of about 424,000 tons as of the end of 2019) for recycling at four sites*, in Japan, the United States, France, and China (recycling in the same region where the product is used).
Thanks to our recycling initiatives, as of 2019 we have achieved a cumulative reduction in the use of new resources of approximately 296,000 tons.
The Canon Automated Recycling System for Toner Cartridges (CARS-T) is a process whereby used toner cartridges are crushed and the materials automatically separated for recycling of the main component, high-impact polystyrene (HIPS). The sorting purity of the recycled plastic reaches 99% or greater* with the intensive use of various separation technologies at the different stages of the process.
A clean and silent operation, the CARS-T process also ensures there are no messy toner leaks from the sealed process units.
*99% or greater based on Canon’s in-house sorting method
Canon has been collecting and recycling used ink cartridges since 1996.
In Japan, Canon is part of the Ink Cartridge Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project, a joint program by printer manufacturers to collect cartridges via boxes placed in post offices, libraries, and other local government facilities. Schools also collect cartridges through activities related to the Bellmark Campaign. Outside Japan, we place cartridge collection boxes in large retail stores, affiliate sales outlets, shopping malls, companies, schools, libraries, train stations, Canon service stores, Canon showrooms, and other locations, depending on the circumstances in each country or region.
As of the end of 2019, Canon’s collecting program was operational in 35 countries and regions worldwide, and the total volume of cartridges that had been collected up to the end of 2019 reached 2,395 tons.
*Data scope is worldwide. Figures include cartridges for large-format inkjet printers and compact photo printers.
With the Canon Automated Recycling System for Ink Cartridges (CARS-I), a camera-based automatic sorting process is used on the used ink cartridges. The process line is automated, yielding an integrated process for the recycling of ink cartridges from disassembly and pulverization to washing. Separated materials are reused for ink cartridge components, materials for pallets used in logistics, or in stationery products.
Canon actively works to reduce the amount of waste originating from operational sites and to reuse or recycle waste.
Canon is working hard to reduce the amount of waste it generates. Efforts include increasing recycling through sorting and collection and minimizing initial waste generation. In particular, we have sought to determine which factors most significantly affect waste generation for each division and each production process. Based on these findings, by an actual versus forcast comparison, we have implemented a number of ongoing initiatives to curb waste generation.
Our various operational sites employ a range of in-house recycling schemes, including reprocessing waste plastic from injection molding or recycling it for other items. Even in the case of waste that must be sent outside the company, we make sure it does not enter landfills*. Rather, we contract with companies that reprocess waste into materials. In 2019, contracted companies processed 110,955 tons of waste from Canon back into materials.
* Except for some general waste generated by business activities that is disposed of under government oversight.
In 2019, we worked at all operational sites to reduce waste generation and promote internal recycling. As a result, total waste generation was reduced by 3,246 tons year on year to 114,541 tons.
*Figures for 2017 onwards include data for Canon Medical.
For sustainable water use, we strive to improve water-usage efficiency.
Canon assesses locations to confirm available water intake volume before establishing operational sites and facilities. We use the AQUEDUCT water-risk mapping tool provided by the World Resources Institute* for quantitative evaluation and reconfirmation of water risk in regions where production sites are located, and work to reduce water consumption in response to local conditions. Meanwhile, in some regions, an increase in abnormal weather patterns has increased the risk of flood damage. We have already begun implementing appropriate responses to climate change, for instance by building Plant No. 2 at our Thai production base on raised ground. Going forward, we will continue our progress with the formulation and updating of risk response plans.
* World Resources Institute: WRI is an independent institute based in the United States that conducts policy research and provides technical assistance concerning environmental and development issues around the world.
Canon collects water data by intake source (public water system, industrial water system, or groundwater) and manages water resources carefully so as not to exceed intake limits for the different regions in which it operates. We also set and manage targets for the volume of water used in production, and constantly strive to reduce water usage by improving production processes and raising water-usage efficiency.
The area Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand)’s Nakhonratchasima Plant locates is reported as an area with high water risk (quantitative risk).
The Canon plant conducts water related environment activities such as reduction of water consumption, preservation of water quality, and the installation of a check dam in cooperation with the local natural park managers and neighbors.
This natural park is the source of water in Nakornrachasima Province, where Canon High Tech (Thailand) is located. In order to improve local residents’ access to water through conservation and storage, a check dam is needed to prevent erosion by reducing the speed of water flow and promoting sedimentation. The Canon plant has been providing support through the provision of tools for check dam installation for four years.
They won recognition for their various initiatives in areas and acquired the Gold Level certification for the second consecutive year since 2019 in the Water Conservation Awards sponsored by the Thai Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Canon promotes the recycling of water resources. The Kitsuki Plant of Oita Canon Materials Inc. is located on Beppu Bay, home to precious natural resources and habitats. In consideration of the impact on the ecosystem, the plant employs a closed wastewater system that discharges nothing but rainwater.
In 2019, we worked at all operational sites to reduce water consumption and promote recycling. As a result, total water consumption decreased by 513 TCM year on year to 9,212 TCM.
* Figures for 2017 onwards include data for Canon Medical
* Figures of volume of water resources used for 2018 onwards obtain third party verification.
We introduce other Canon's Environmental Material Activities.