- Policy
- Structure
- Targets and Achievements
- Purification of wastewater
- Purification of exhaust gases
- Initiatives
- Wastewater Treatment Initiatives
- Exhaust Gases Purification Initiatives
- Data
Policy
The Oji Group recognizes that reducing environmental impact caused by pollutants is a material issue that must be addressed as we moves toward the realization of a sustainable society.
Guided by Environmental Action Programs 2030, we will set voluntary management values that are stricter than the values established in laws related to wastewater and exhaust gasses to achieve zero environmental impact.
Additionally, we work to prevent pollution through thorough legal compliance measures.
We are also working to effectively use resources such as water resources and waste.
Structure
Targets and Achievements
Purification of wastewater
Guided by Environmental Action Program 2030, we will reduce BOD*1, COD*2 and SS*3 emission intensity by 15% in FY2030 compared with the base year (FY2018).
- *1 BOD: Biochemical oxygen demand
- *2 COD: Chemical oxygen demand
- *3SS: Suspended solids
- * This table can be viewed by scrolling horizontally.
| FY2018 (Base Year) |
FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | FY2030 (Target) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BOD | Emission intensity (kg/ million yen) | 5.07 | 5.13 | 5.57 | 4.77 | 3.29 | 3.01 | 4.31 or less |
| Reduction rate (%) | - | 1.3% | 9.9% | -5.9% | -35.1% | -40.7% | -15.0% | |
| COD | Emission intensity (kg/ million yen) | 22.52 | 23.24 | 24.21 | 24.39 | 20.28 | 20.35 | 19.14 or less |
| Reduction rate (%) | - | 3.2% | 7.5% | 8.3% | -10.0% | -9.6% | -15.0% | |
| SS | Emission intensity (kg/ million yen) | 10.57 | 10.87 | 10.77 | 10.01 | 8.04 | 7.46 | 8.99 or less |
| Reduction rate (%) | - | 2.8% | 1.9% | -5.4% | -24.0% | -29.4% | -15.0% | |
Purification of exhaust gases
Guided by Environmental Action Program 2030, we will reduce SOx*4 emission intensity by 15% in FY2030 compared with the base year (FY2018), and to reduce VOC*5 emission intensity by 50% or more from the base year (FY2010).
- *4 SOx: Sulfur oxides
- *5 VOC: Volatile organic compound
- * This table can be viewed by scrolling horizontally.
| (Base Year) | FY2019 | FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | FY2030 (Target) |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SOx | Emission intensity (kg/ million yen) | 4.12 | 3.78 | 4.07 | 3.69 | 3.49 | 2.98 | 3.50 or less |
| Reduction rate (%) | - | -8.2% | -1.3% | -10.5% | -15.4% | -27.8% | -15.0% | |
| VOC | Emission intensity (kg/ million yen) | 0.61 | 0.32 | 0.17 | 0.16 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.30 or less |
| Reduction rate (%) | - | -47.5% | -72.1% | -73.8% | -82.0% | -85.2% | -50.0% | |
Initiatives
Wastewater Treatment Initiatives
Management of Compliance with Regulatory Values
The Oji Group drains the wastewater generated by its business activities into various waterways after reducing the environmentally hazardous substances in it to below regulatory values through physical and chemical treatment processes.
As part of the wastewater monitoring process, we monitor and manage discharge water quality. We measure the quantity of pollutants in line with laws and control them by continuously measuring the wastewater. If the quantity of a pollutant exceeds our voluntarily established control value, we take measures to prevent pollution by suspending operations.
Each Group mill manages wastewater quality using voluntary management values that are stricter than the regulatory values stipulated by laws and ordinances, ensuring compliance with these regulatory values. We are committed to purifying wastewater. For example, in FY2023, we reduced COD (chemical oxygen demand) in wastewater by at least 51% compared to the emissions that would have been allowed under the regulations.
Pollution load in wastewater(BOD, COD and SS)*6 (FY2023)
- *6 BOD (Biochemical oxygen demand)
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) represents the amount of oxygen consumed by microorganisms to decompose organic matter under aerobic conditions. When BOD is elevated, foul odors, etc. are produced.
COD (Chemical oxygen demand)
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) represents the amount of oxygen required to chemically oxidize organic materials.
SS (Suspended solids)
Particulates suspended in water.
Exhaust Gases Purification Initiatives
Reduction of Chemical Substances Emissions in Exhaust
Management and Monitoring Processes for Compliance with Regulatory Values
The Oji Group owns several boilers and turbines. The electricity and thermal energy obtained through the direct combustion of fossil fuels, waste fuels and renewable fuels are used internally and provided to local communities.
The Group has set voluntary management values that are stricter than the regulatory values regarding the atmospheric release of the chemical substances produced through direct combustion. When measured values exceed these voluntary standards, we suspend operations and take other measures to prevent pollution.
As part of this monitoring process, we have adopted an on-line continuous exhaust gas monitoring system (CEMS) for SOx, NOx and dust to ensure compliance with laws and regulations. In addition, major large mills are continuously transmitting measurement data to authorities via the internet. We also have installed desulfurization equipment, denitrification equipment, cyclones, scrubbers and bag filters to reduce the pollutants in the exhaust gases. In addition to continuous measurement and monitoring, third-party measurement certification companies regularly conduct analyses.
Status of Reduction of Chemical Substances in Exhaust
We are working to reduce volatile organic compound (VOC)*7 emissions to the FY2010 level or maintain them at this level, as stated in the guidelines of the Japan Paper Association. In addition, we are also operating according to voluntary control values we have extablished for sulfur oxides SOx*8.
- *7 Collective term for various organic compounds that are volatile and become gaseous in the atmosphere, including substances such as toluene, xylene and ethyl acetate.
- *8 A general term for sulfur oxides, including sulfur monoxide (SO), sulfur dioxide (sulfurous acid gas or SO2), sulfur trioxide (SO3) and more.