Environmental Initiatives Outside of Japan
North America
Recycling catalytic converters (U.S.)
Catalytic converter recovered for recycling
In the U.S. and Canada, Honda recycles catalytic converters. Catalytic converters, which contain a ceramic honeycomb canister coated with platinum, palladium, rhodium and other precious metals, are collected from end-of-life vehicles and service centers at Honda dealerships and sent to a recycling facility. The ceramic portion is recycled and the precious metals are recovered for use in manufacturing new catalytic converters. Every part of the converter is reused or recycled, reducing landfill waste to zero.
More returnable packaging for motorcycles and other products (U.S.)
•Introduction of returnable packaging
Honda is moving forward with implementation of a returnable packaging system that allows containers used in shipping assembled motorcycles and other products in the U.S. to be returned and reused. Honda began converting to returnable packaging for motorcycles, All Terrain Vehicles (ATVs) and personal watercraft in 2002. By 2006 the changeover was complete, with 100% implementation for shipments throughout the U.S., including Alaska and Hawaii. Previously Honda had shipped its assembled motorcycles in wooden crates, but switching to all-steel containers and two-way containers that can be sent back and forth between factory and dealer resulted in a 7,983-ton reduction in the volume of packaging materials used.
Transporting automobiles by rail (North America)
Assembled vehicles being loaded onto rail cars.
Honda transports Honda and Acura vehicles in North America primarily by rail. Rail transport requires only 1/3 the energy expenditure of trucking, resulting in reduced CO2 emissions and increased efficiency, as many more vehicles can be transported at once. Currently, approximately 80% of Honda automotive products are transported via rail within the U.S.
Energy conservation initiatives (North America)
One good way to reduce energy consumption is to cut back on wasteful practices. Honda is working to eliminate waste and use energy efficiently at all of its North American production facilities.
Associates at the Honda of Canada Mfg. automobile factory make it a habit to shut down all equipment not engaged in production. Each section also takes care to shut down all equipment and turn off lights during work breaks. Reducing the pressure in pneumatic equipment during work breaks allows the 1,000 horsepower compressor to be shut down.
At the Honda of South Carolina Mfg. factory, guidelines have been created to implement energy-conservation measures that have resulted in a 3% reduction in electricity.
At Honda Manufacturing of Alabama, a thorough analysis of the painting section on the auto plant's number two production line was performed to find ways to save energy and cut costs without inhibiting production. Measures such as turning off lights when they are not needed, as well as lowering oven temperatures and turning off equipment between production runs, resulted in savings last year of approximately $750,000. This was achieved in conjunction with a production increase of approximately 10%.
Europe
Honda Turkey complies with EMAS requirements (Turkey)
Confirmation of EMAS compliance
Although Turkey is not a member of the European Union, Honda Turkey took the initiative of complying with Eco-Management & Audit Scheme (EMAS) criteria as a way to enhance environmental awareness. The company also published an environmental report on all of its environmental initiatives, including energy management, waste reduction and compliance with emissions regulations.
Honda Turkey qualified for EMAS certification as the result of an audit performed by AIB Vincotte International February 18-22, 2007.
Note: Although an official audit was completed, Honda Turkey’s EMAS certification was not officially registered, as EMAS is an organ of the European Union, whose jurisdiction extends only to EU member states.
Returnable containers introduced to conserve resources (Belgium)
At Honda Belgium returnable containers have been introduced to reduce packaging and enhance recycling.
Previously, bumpers manufactured in Japan were packed in cardboard boxes and stacked on wooden pallets for shipping; but the cost of using cardboard and wood as disposable packing materials is high. By converting from cardboard boxes (30 bumpers per box) to returnable steel containers (45 bumpers per box), Honda Belgium has been able to reduce the cardboard used inside the returnable containers to two layers, lowering total cardboard consumption to one-third that of the previous system.
Introducing reusable packaging (Italy)
Honda Italia Industriale of Italy has been working in close cooperation with Honda Europe Power Equipment of France to reduce packaging waste by introducing reusable packaging materials for shipments between the two companies.
Until October 2006, engine parts from Honda Italia Industriale were packed in bulky cardboard boxes mounted on wooden pallets. The French affiliate uses these parts to make power products. Now, these parts are received in sturdy steel and plastic packaging. This packaging is used to ship assembled power products to the Italian affiliate, where it is used again for the next parts shipment to France.
This method has resulted in a 23% overall reduction in factory waste at Honda Europe Power Equipment, and reduced costs for Honda Italia Industriale. It has also eliminated approximately 75 tons of cardboard waste and 30 tons of wood waste annually.
Reducing water consumption on the bumper paint line (Belgium)
Honda Belgium vaporizes water obtained from reverse osmosis equipment used for humidification at its paint plant to compensate for moisture loss inside the cabin of automobiles being painted.
Water is collected in the reservoir of the reverse osmosis device and automatically pumped to the spray booth water tank, as required. Use of this self-regulating system allows the plant to reduce its consumption of tap water.
Asia/Oceania, China
Start of operations at two new Green Factories (China)
Complete water recycling system
Water-based painting
The new Dongfeng Honda factory in Wuhan and the second Guangzhou Honda factory in Zengcheng started operations in February and September 2006, respectively.
Both factories utilize advanced production systems that integrate expertise derived from existing factories and concepts from the Green Factory initiative, which prioritizes both environmental responsibility and good ergonomics in the workplace. The new production lines and their innovative layouts set quality and efficiency standards for Honda plants around the world.
At the paint plants, water-based paints are used for the undercoat and intermediate coat, which are efficiently applied using robotic technologies to reduce VOC emissions to 20g/m2.
Further, increases in production efficiency have reduced power, gas and water consumption. The workplace environment has also improved, with a new, energy-efficient conveyor system that significantly reduces noise, and the broad-ranging introduction of devices to spare associates from physically burdensome labor.
The second Guangzhou Honda factory features a complete water recycling system—a first for the auto industry worldwide. This system completely eliminates wastewater discharge and saves 170,000 tons of water per year.
Assessing the environmental impact of materials used in products (Pakistan)
Atlas Honda associates measuring amounts of substances of concern in their products.
In 2006 Atlas Honda opened Pakistan's first motorcycle plant capable of synchronous welding, painting, chassis assembly and engine assembly. Associates are taking up the challenge of fully understanding the impact of auto and motorcycle manufacturing on the global environment and effectively implementing Honda environmental conservation initiatives. One key measure undertaken at the new factory was switching from diesel generators (two units) to electricity from the grid in manufacturing the shock absorber cases used in motorcycle suspensions. This has increased energy efficiency and reduced CO2 emissions. Also, in order to assess the environmental impact of the products manufactured at the motorcycle plant, efforts are being made to measure the levels of substances of concern in the CD70, which is manufactured at the plant.
