Zero Waste Emissions from Factories

Waste generated at our factories is classified into: (1) recyclable waste (including those that can be sold and those which can be transferred free of charge or by paying a fee), (2) waste that can be reduced by incineration or dehydration, and (3) final disposal (waste with no option other than being sent to landfills). We reduce the emission of waste by boosting yield in our production process and increasing the recycle rate of our waste materials. Accordingly, we strive globally toward achieving our Zero Waste Emissions^*1 goal by reducing the amount of final disposal to nearly zero by fiscal 2013.

Specifically, we aim to achieve a factory waste recycling rate of 98.5% in fiscal 2012 and 99% and more in fiscal 2013. In fiscal 2011, our waste recycling rate was 97.4%, a 1.1 point improvement from the previous year.^*2

• *1 Panasonic's definition: Recycling rate of 99% or higher.
  Recycling rate = Amount of resources recycled/(amount of resources recycled + amount of final disposal)
• *2 SANYO Electric not included in fiscal 2010 results.

As a means to reduce the generation of waste, we are fostering resource-saving product design. In our production activities, we have reduced the amount of waste plastic by improving the molds used in the production process. Moreover we have started a “visualized analysis” of waste. In fiscal 2011, we undertook such analyses at nine sites to identify specific factors contributing to waste generation, with the aim of further reducing waste. In our logistics operations as well, we are reviewing the use of packaging materials to reduce waste and promote the reuse of such materials.