Environment Protection

It is important for business enterprises to maintain a balance between economic efficiency and environmental benefit while implementing their environmental protection activities. In evaluating the effectiveness of its own environmental protection activities, Fujifilm believes that environmental impact indices alone are not sufficient – environmental protection performance should be monitored and managed based on eco-efficiency indices that reflect both the economic value and the environmental impact of corporate activities.

In fiscal 2003, the Fujifilm Group adopted the following definition of eco-efficiency and set itself new goals for improving eco-efficiency by fiscal 2010.

As seen in its recycling-oriented production systems for one-time-use recyclable cameras, the Fujifilm Group has already made considerable progress in reducing environmental impact through the development of environmentally conscious products. To spur on these efforts, we reviewed the framework for our “Design for Environment” program and established our “Basic Rules for Design for Environment,” which apply to all product categories. The full-scale implementation of these new rules began in fiscal 2002. Beginning in the current fiscal year, the rules will progressively apply to new and remodeled products manufactured at both domestic and overseas subsidiaries. The Company uses the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)*1 technique to evaluate the environmental impact caused by its products and discloses this information within the EcoLeaf environmental label format.

In fiscal 2003, as part of its extensive capital investment, Fujifilm introduced cogeneration facilities that use natural gas to the Odawara Factory. The factory is planning to reduce energy consumption 8.6% in fiscal 2004, when the cogeneration facilities are in full-scale operation, from that in fiscal 2002.

In line with its energy conservation measures, Fujifilm is striving to reduce CO₂ emissions. In fiscal 2002, CO₂ emissions increased 3.8% from that in the previous year for the same reasons energy consumption increased as mentioned above. In response, Fujifilm is, among other measures, proceeding with a project to switch the fuel used by the private power generation facilities at its factories from heavy oil to natural gas, which will significantly contribute to reducing CO₂ emissions.

Fujifilm strives to reduce the amount of limited resources used through efficient and effective utilization. As an example of past efforts to conserve resources, the quantity of silver used in making photosensitive materials, one of our primary products, was cut by half in the manufacturing of color negative film and one-third for color paper over the last twenty years.

Fujifilm's target was to reduce the Company's fiscal 1996 level of manufacturing-related VOC emissions 50% by fiscal 2002. Through determination and hard work, Fujifilm reduced its VOC emissions approximately 60% in fiscal 2002, significantly surpassing its target. Of the 18 items that need to be reduced, eight are designated by the PRTR Law* and ten are subject to voluntary control by Fujifilm. In fiscal 2002, the target year, Fujifilm's VOC emissions totaled 1,800 tons, a 58% reduction from the 4,300 tons in fiscal 1996. As for the items designated by the PRTR Law, Fujifilm achieved a 72% reduction from its fiscal 1996 level.

Aiming at establishing a recycling-based society, Fujifilm – led by its Zero Emissions Promotion Committee – promotes measures to achieve zero emissions. To this end, the Company strives for the 100% recycling of all waste materials generated by its business activities into reusable resources and the total elimination of landfill treatment sites. After achieving zero emissions at all production sites in fiscal 2001, Fujifilm went on to do the same at all Offices, Sales Offices, and the Head Office in fiscal 2002. The Company is planning to include all group companies in Japan by the end of fiscal 2003.