• Receiving the Ohio Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency (United States)

The East Liberty Auto Plant (ELP) of Honda of America Mfg., Inc., (HAM) removed its old central steam boiler system that had been in use since ELP started operations in 1989. ELP replaced this out-of-date system with a new system capable of generating heat and humidity in a more energy-efficient manner. This resulted in a 78 percent reduction in natural gas use and related air emissions as well as in a reduction in hazardous chemical use and water use.
In fiscal 2005, because of this replacement, ELP became one of 10 winners of the 2005 Governor’s Award for Excellence in Energy Efficiency. This award recognizes organizations for their efforts to improve energy efficiency, the environment, and Ohio’s economic competitiveness.

• Recycling wastewater from car washes (United States)

Honda of America Mfg., Inc., (HAM) operates car washes for associates to use for their personal vehicles. In fiscal 2005, HAM installed recycling equipment at each of its three car washes (located at the Anna plant, the East Liberty plant, and the Marysville plant). The equipment is used to recycle and reuse wastewater from the car washes, reducing water use per wash by approximately 70%.

• Protecting and improving the habitat of rare species (Canada)

At Honda of Canada Mfg. (HCM), associates created a walking trail and bluebird trail alongside Spring Creek, which runs through the east side of the company’s grounds and is the habitat for brook trout. Both trails are open to the public. In Ontario, where the plant is located, bluebird habitat is threatened, and bluebirds are a species in decline in the area. Birdhouses were put up alongside the bluebird trail in the Spring Creek district, and approximately 100 associates volunteer to participate in nature protection activities conducted around the bluebird trail.

• Reducing the use of paper (Belgium)

Honda Europe N.V. (HE) decreased the amount of paper it uses in printing and copying thanks to the activities of an NH Circle (small quality circle groups of associates in Honda companies, including affiliates, all over the world). In addition, HE encourages associates to use both sides of all paper whenever possible. As a result, paper consumption decreased 27% in fiscal 2005 compared with that in the reference year of 2003, representing over 2 million sheets (equal to the capacity of more than 800 paper collection boxes shown in the photo).
Because of this substantial reduction in the use of paper and the acquisition of EMAS certification in fiscal 2005, HE received the Flemish Environmental Charter Award for the sixth time in as many years.

• Effectively using rainwater (Belgium)

After it opened a new building in October 2005, Honda Belgium (BH) began collecting rainwater on the roof of the building. The rainwater is stored in six 20-m³ tanks and used in sanitation facilities. Any surplus rainwater is sent to a reservoir, where it will slowly penetrate the soil and contribute to the quality and natural level of the groundwater.
Plants were added to better integrate the new building with its industrial—but green—surroundings.
Thanks to the measures mentioned above, Honda Belgium received the Flemish Environmental Charter Award. The use of rainwater in sanitation facilities and the resulting reduction in water use were highly rated.

• Substantially reducing VOC emissions from the painting process (Italy)

Honda Italia Industriale S.p.A. (HIA) made intensive efforts to reduce VOC emissions from its painting process. By installing a post painting VOC burner (oxidizer) with a sophisticated VOC concentrator in one particular section, the company reduced VOC emissions to less than one-tenth, from 600 mg/Nm³ to less than 50 mg/Nm³. The technology to concentrate VOCs is based on the properties of a material to absorb or release VOCs depending on the material’s temperature. In addition, the company has reduced its use of energy by installing an electricity usage monitoring system for each process and improved its efficiency in transferring electricity.

• Operating a new type of incinerator to meet global emissions standards (India)

The Indian government implements preparatory measures to regulate emissions of greenhouse gases, which are a global problem, amid its rapid economic growth. Honda Motorcycle and Scooter India (Private) Ltd. (HMSI) has long been committed to environmental measures and started the full operation of a new type of incinerator in January 2006 to meet the future emissions regulations to be implemented in the country. The incinerator boasts top-class environmental performance, such as the substantial use of waste heat through a heat recovery system and the minimization of emissions by the use of a complete circulation cycle. At the same time, the incinerator has high energy saving performance, e.g., reduced fuel consumption, thereby decreasing its operating cost to 1/14 that of a conventional incinerator. As a result, CO2 emissions can be reduced to 55% or less and dioxin emissions to 3ng-TEQ/Nm³ or less, which is the WHO standard value. Also, the carbon content of incinerated ash can be reduced to 10% or less.