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Resource Efficiency

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Canon promotes reductions in resource consumption and product-to-product recycling with the aim of contributing to the development of a circular economy.

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’s Approach to Achieve a Circular Economy

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’s Resource Circulation

To maximize the value brought about by resource recycling, 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.

Flowchart of Canon’s Circular Economy

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. The reuse of parts through remanufacturing and the recycling of plastics through closed-loop recycling allow us to reduce the amount of CO2 emissions generated by raw material procurement and transportation compared with using new raw materials.

Canon Ecology Industry Inc. emitted 2,900 tons of Scope 1 and 2 CO2 through site operations. We believe that these efforts have resulted in a reduction of approximately 7,900 tons of CO2 emissions.

Product-to-Product Recycling Amounts (Cumulative)

Since 2008, we have taken 44,343 tons of plastics from used products for recycling as raw materials, and another 35,216 tons of products and parts were reused directly.

Product-to-Product Recycling Amounts
  • Product recycling initiatives have been ongoing since before 2007. Data are based on 2008 as the baseline year.

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.

Canon Recycling Sites Worldwide

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Product Development Aimed at Efficient Use of Resources

Recycling-Conscious Design

To achieve effective use of our limited resources, environmentally conscious design is a necessary tool. Starting from the design and development stage, Canon gives careful consideration to the whole process through to collection and recycling of end-of-life products.

Our Environmentally Conscious Design Guidance summarizes the considerations that need to be addressed at the product design stage, including product-related environmental laws and regulations, Green Public Procurement standards, and environmental labeling standards in the different countries and regions where we sell our products. It sets out concrete guidelines covering a range of areas, such as extending product life, making products easier to maintain, disassemble and sort into constituent materials after disassembly, and improving information disclosure.

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Remanufacturing of Multifunction Devices

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 ES series brand in Europe.

Remanufacturing Flowchart (Canon Ecology industry, in japan)

Remanufacturing Flowchart 1. Collection 1. Collection

The used products that have been collected are gathered up and go through an initial check

Remanufacturing Flowchart 2. Disassembly 2. Disassembly

The exterior covers and parts are removed

Remanufacturing Flowchart 3. Cleaning 3. Cleaning

The body's frame and the parts that were disassembled are cleaned

Remanufacturing Flowchart 4. Assembly process 4. Assembly process

The cleaned frames are assembled with new and reused parts, and then the exterior covers are attached.

Remanufacturing Flowchart 5. Inspection 5. Inspection

The same inspection as for new products are done to make sure that all the functions work appropriately.

Remanufacturing Flowchart 6. Shipping and sales 6. Shipping and sales

The products are packaged just like a new product, and the sent to market.

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Recycling

Canon operates recycling programs including Toner Cartridge Collection and Recycling Program which enable plastic material to be used repeatedly.

Toner Cartridge Recycling

In 1990, Canon launched its Toner Cartridge Recycling Program, the first such program in the industry. The program continues to operate today.

Returned used toner cartridges are brought to Canon recycling sites, where camera equipment is used to sort them by model. The reusable parts are then picked out, washing and maintenance are performed as needed, and the parts are 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.

Image of Closed-Loop Recycling

Used Toner Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)

We conduct used toner cartridge collection in 24 countries and regions (with a cumulative collection volume of about 454,000 tons as of the end of 2022) for recycling at four sites* worldwide. As of 2022 we have achieved a cumulative reduction in the use of new resources of approximately 322,000 tons.

  • Toner cartridge recycling sites
    Japan: Canon Ecology Industry
    United States: Canon Virginia
    France: Canon Bretagne
    China: Canon Dalian Business Machines
Used Toner Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)

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Recycling of Ink Cartridges

Image of 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 2022, Canon’s collection program was operational in 30 countries and regions worldwide, and the total volume of cartridges that had been collected up to the end of 2022 reached 2,731 tons.

Used Ink Cartridge Collection Volume (Cumulative)
  • Data scope is worldwide. Figures include cartridges for large-format inkjet printers and compact photo printers.

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Development and Use of 3D Printer Filaments Made with Plastic Recycled from Multifunction Devices

As a new initiative to drive plastic material recycling, Canon Ecology Industry Inc. has developed a filament for 3D printers made with 100% recycled plastic. The recycled plastic raw materials used are PC+ABS and HIPS, which have a record of reliable performance as plastic materials and have been widely used in the outer covers and cassettes of multifunction devices and other applications. Adapting technologies accumulated through recycling of other Canon products, and utilizing optimal technologies to crush and wash the outer covers and cassettes of multifunction devices recovered from the market and then process them through extrusion-molding, enabled filaments with a stable wire diameter to be manufactured even with 100% recycled plastic.

Initiatives to Reduce Waste

Canon actively works to reduce the amount of waste originating from operational sites and to reuse or recycle waste.

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

Canon actively works to reduce the amount of waste originating from its operations and to reuse or recycle waste where possible, appropriately disposing of any waste that can be neither reused nor recycled in accordance with the law.

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 2022, contracted companies processed 86,367 tons of waste from Canon back into materials ( recycling ratio of about 97%).

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

Total Waste Generated

Total waste output in 2022 amounted to 88,732 tons. We implemented ongoing activities to reduce waste, such as switching to returnable shipping cartons at the Toride Plant and Canon Vietnam and reducing waste from the metal stamping process at Canon Hi-Tech (Thailand). However, due to factors such as an increase in packaging materials due to greater distribution of components at production sites, CO2 emissions were up 6% from 2021.

Total Waste Generated

* Excludes disposal of products collected after use

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Action to Reduce Disposable 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.

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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.

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Sustainable Water Resources

For sustainable water use, we strive to improve water-usage efficiency.

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

Water-risk mapping tool
  • Result of “physical risk quantity” assessment of production sites (as of end of 2020) using AQUEDUCT water-risk mapping tool (Version 3) (as of March 2023)

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 2022, water consumption decreased by 2.1% from the previous year to 8,397,000 m3. This was achieved through ongoing reduction measures at production sites, consisting of the replacement of aging facilities at Canon (Suzhou) Inc. and integrated operation of cleaning equipment at Oita Canon Materials Inc. These improvements also enabled us to reach our target for water consumption intensity, which decreased by 1.6% from 2021.

Use of Water Resources
  • Third-party verification obtained for water consumption figures from 2018.
  • The scope of aggregation mainly includes companies that have acquired ISO 14001 consolidated certification.

Other Canon's Environmental Material Activities

We introduce other Canon's Environmental Material Activities.

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