Contributing to a Circular Economy

Canon’s Resource Circulation

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.

Value Created by Resource Recycling

We see initiatives at Canon’s recycling sites as not only contributing to a circular economy but also contributing to a carbon-free future. Through reuse of parts, remanufacturing enables us to reduce the CO₂ emissions generated in raw material procurement and in parts processing and other activities, compared with manufacturing new machines. Closed-loop recycling, in which used cartridges are collected and processed into plastic pellets for reuse as raw material, also results in reduced CO₂ emissions generated by raw material procurement, transportation, and other activities, compared with using new raw materials. Canon Ecology Industry Inc. emitted 2,600 tons of Scope 1 and 2 CO₂ through site operations. We believe that these efforts have resulted in a reduction of approximately 5,000 tons of CO₂ emissions.

Product-to-Product Recycling Amounts (Cumulative)

Since 2008, we have taken 42,413 tons of plastics from used products for recycling as raw materials, and another 33,619 tons of products and parts were reused directly.

Five Recycling Sites in Four Regions around the World

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.

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Product Development Aimed at Efficient Use of Resources

Recycling-Conscious Design

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.

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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.

Remanufacturing Flowchart (Canon Ecology industry, in japan)

Toner Cartridge Recycling

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.

Closed-Loop Recycling

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.

Used Toner Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)

We conduct used toner cartridge collection in 23 countries and regions (with a cumulative collection volume of about 444,000 tons as of the end of 2021) for recycling at four sites^* worldwide. As of 2021 we have achieved a cumulative reduction in the use of new resources of approximately 314,000 tons.

• Toner cartridge recycling sites
  Japan: Canon Ecology Industry
  United States: Canon Virginia
  France: Canon Bretagne
  China: Canon Dalian Business Machines

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Recycling of Ink Cartridges

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.

Used Ink Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)

As of the end of 2021, Canon’s collection program was operational in 35 countries and regions worldwide, and the total volume of cartridges that had been collected up to the end of 2021 reached 2,616 tons.

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Reducing 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 forecast comparison, we have implemented a number of ongoing initiatives to curb waste generation.

Initiatives Related to In-House Waste Recycling and Outside Resource Recovery

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 2021, contracted companies processed 84,060 tons of waste from Canon back into materials.

* Except for some general waste generated by business activities that is disposed of under government oversight.

Total Waste Generated

Total waste output in 2021 amounted to 83,115 tons, about 1% year-on-year increase. Although we carried out ongoing activities to reduce waste at production sites, waste increased in line with recovery in production activities and greater in-person office attendance compared to 2020. Compared to 2019, however, waste output was down by about 27%.

Action to Deal with Marine Plastics

There is growing public concern over single-use plastics, which are regarded as a cause of marine pollution. With the aim of reducing plastics, Canon is working to cut the amount of single-use plastic used in product packaging materials and at operational sites.

For product packaging, we are seeking to replace single-use plastics, for instance by switching from polystyrene foam to pulp mold. We are also pursuing initiatives to reduce plastic waste at operational sites worldwide. Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand) has hosted seminars to educate local residents and children on the problem of plastic waste, and organized workshops on how to make eco-bags from used clothing. In Japan, we are taking the initiative to address the issue of disposable plastics used in the straws, cups, and other utensils provided in staff canteens and other places at our operational sites by switching to paper and biodegradable plastics.

Practical Initiatives to Reduce Product Packaging Materials (Inkjet Printer TR4650)

Additionally, Canon is a member of the Clean Ocean Material Alliance (CLOMA), a public-private sector alliance that seeks a solution to the problem of marine plastic pollution through accelerated innovation and collaboration among a wide range of interested parties across industry borders. In coordination with CLOMA, we are working on a range of initiatives, including reducing the use of plastics and developing recycle-friendly products, technologies, and systems.

Water Risk in Regions Where Canon Production Sites Are Located

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.

Water Risk (Quantitative) in Regions Containing Major Production Sites

Reducing Water Usage

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.

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Use of Water Resources

In 2021, despite ongoing efforts to reduce water consumption at production sites, water consumption increased from 2020, when production activities were severely affected by COVID-19, to 8,546,000 m³, an increase of approximately 2% from the previous year. On the other hand, this represents a decrease of approximately 7% from 2019.