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| Honda has been making efforts to build networks for the recycling and proper disposal of waste parts. We started the establishment of a network to recover and recycle bumpers replaced with new ones in 1991. Since then, supported by our dealers and those in related industries, we have been expanding such activities. |
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After a period of trial and error to establish an infrastructure
for recovery, Honda has built up a network for recycling bumpers that have been
replaced with new ones throughout Japan. We first began tests in the Kanto and
Koshinetsu regions in October 1991. Later, we spread the area to the Chubu and
Kinki regions, the Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu regions, and the Hokkaido and
Tohoku regions. Then, in November 1995, the network was extended to Okinawa and
the remote islands (Okinoerabujima, Amami-Oshima, and Goto) to complete our nationwide
coverage. We have taken steps to make the recovery process as smooth as possible.
For example, by locating intermediate processing plants between the recycling
plants (in Saitama and Mie prefectures), we have reduced the cost of recovery
from remote areas. In order to reduce the load on dealers, we have designed a
shipping system that allows dealers to ship the bumpers without cutting them into
sections, thereby also improving recovery efficiency. In fiscal 2004, we recovered approximately 280,000 bumpers. Since the start of the recovery system, we have recovered approximately 2.42 million bumpers in total. In 1999, we also began
a geographically limited model experiment to collect and recycle bumpers from
ELVs. |
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 Sandwich
molding technology for bumpers
In 1996, we developed a technology to manufacture bumpers using recycled materials
as core materials. This technology is called “sandwich molding technology,”
and uses the recycled bumpers without removing the paint film. (The paint film
on bumpers made it difficult to recycle them in the past.) The bumpers, with
the paint film still on them, are crushed, washed and pelletized, and used as
the core materials for bumpers.
Technology
to remove the paint film from bumpers
We have established the technology to remove the paint film from
bumpers jointly with recycling companies. Bumpers are crushed into chips and
the chips are forcefully rubbed together to generate frictional heat, which
removes the paint film. Materials recycled from bumpers using this technology
have been used as repair bumpers made from 100% recycled materials.
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Honda asked its dealers to cooperate in the establishment of systems to recover
and destroy the CFC-12 used for automobile air conditioners, and completed the
establishment of such systems all over Japan in 1998. We are further promoting
the proper disposal of harmful substances through measures such as the introduction
of equipment for recovering and recycling HFC134a.
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