In Japan, approximately 80 percent of end-of-life vehicles are recycled by dismantling companies and shredding companies. Under Japan’s End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Law, enacted in 2005, automakers are now obliged to recycle and properly dispose of shredder residue, airbags, and CFCs. Accordingly, Honda has been actively implementing product recycling (3R*) measures. In 1991, we began recovering and recycling replacement bumpers, and in 1998 we launched the sale of remanufactured parts. Further, in 2004, Honda became Japan’s first domestic automaker to implement new measures with the start of recovery and recycling activities for automobile oil filters.

Honda’s Policy on Product Recycling (3R)

Honda independently implements advanced recycling measures, called 3R measures, to reduce the amount of raw materials that are used in product creation. Specifically, we seek to downsize and reduce the weight of product components and to prolong their service lives (to reduce the use of resources and the generation of waste); to reuse parts where feasible; and to recycle end-of-life items as materials and sources of energy. We conduct these activities under the policies described in the sidebar on the right.

1 Design products in consideration of both higher basic performance and 3R measures. 2 Implement economical and effective recycling measures and use the results as feedback for development activities 3 Give priority to design for reusability, and reduce the amount of resources and energy used in the reuse and recycling processes 4 Minimize substances of concern contained in products, giving consideration to environmental impact caused by the disposal of end-of-life vehicles 5 Cooperate and collaborate with various stakeholders