Waste Management Initiatives

Waste Management Policy

Renesas strives to reduce, reuse or recycle as much waste as possible. Our waste management methodology is based on proper sorting and safety treatment. All of our production sites adhere to environmental action guidelines and local regulations.

Basic Concept and Target

Renesas Group is focusing on the 3Rs ("Reuse," "Reduce," and Recycle") to maintain the waste recycling rate at *90% or more globally. We diligently implement these "3Rs" during manufacturing and intend to reuse all the waste generated derived from our business activities as resources as a mid-term goal

*Recycling rate (%) = 100 - (Final disposal amount ÷ Total amount of waste & valuable emissions) x 100. Proper processing, such as thermal recycling and neutralization treatment, is also included.

 

The 3Rs Activity Overview

Reuse

Renesas uses plastic packaging materials (trays and magazines) for product shipments. We have a reusable infrastructure (collection-cleaning-inspection system) in place at our Japanese and overseas production sites to ensure those materials are efficiently reused. Carrier tape, cardboard and wafer cases are also being reused for other applications.

Reduce and Recycle

During manufacturing and factory design processes, we are making efforts to minimize waste generation as much as possible and promote waste recycling by working together with companies in other sectors. For example, cement manufacturers are using sludge we generate from the effluent treatment as roadbed and cement materials. Metals are also reused for material steel manufacturing, and paper as raw materials are converted to recycled paper. We are also recycling scrap wafers generated during the production process and final products that are considered defective.

Waste Materials Examples of Recycling
Sludge Roadbed materials, raw materials for cement, recycled sand, raw materials for metal refining
Waste Oil Incinerator combustion aid, recycled oil, raw materials for cement
Waste Acid Recycled sulfuric acid, wastewater treatment, fuel conversion, raw materials for cement, raw materials for metals
Waste Alkali Fuel conversion, raw materials for cement, raw materials for metals
Waste Plastics* Incinerator combustion aid, solid fuel, raw materials for plastics
Metal Scraps* Raw materials for metals
Glass and Porcelain Scraps Raw materials for glass, raw materials for cement, tiles, lightweight aggregates
Product Waste* Raw materials for silicone
Precious Metals* Raw materials for precious metals
Paper Raw materials for recycled paper
Wood Chips Raw materials for paper, fertilizers, fuel
Styrofoam Paint and mortar aggregates

* Including scrap wafers generated during the production process and products that are considered defective.

The 3Rs Performance

The amount of waste generated in FY2022, although it was expected to increase due to increased production by strong demand for semiconductors but resulted in 1% decrease compared to the previous year. Because in addition to continuous promotion of waste reduction measures and the temporary factors of decrease of waste by closed sites and the disappearance of waste due to the restoration of fires in the previous year.

More than 99% of domestic waste, which accounts for about 80% of all waste, is reused, recycled, or properly intermediately treated. The final landfill disposal rate (final disposal amount) was 0.08%. Compared to Japan, the proportion of landfill disposal (final disposal volume) of waste overseas was higher at 43%.

The waste recycling rate at our global bases was 91.7%, and we are maintaining our benchmark of 90% or higher.

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Transition of Amount of Waste
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Amount of waste 2022

Waste Reduction Initiatives

In 2022, Renesas Group achieved a waste reduction of 1,204 tons (including 353 tons of waste plastic reduction) in Japan.

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Waste Reduction Chart Based On The 3R Efforts - Japan

In 2022, Renesas continues to implement following initiatives.

FY2022 Major Initiatives (including ongoing activities) 

[Reduction of plastic waste (Response to the new Plastic Resource Circulation Act in Japan)]

  • Reusing or recycling of plastic packaging materials (tray) and plastic cases
  • Reducing plastic waste by increasing the size of BGA package
  • Reducing the amount of cushioning material used in cardboard shipping boxes by promoting full cartoning. (Reduction of waste plastic generated by customers) *Fractional packing for small orders.

[Overall waste reduction activities]

  • Valuable waste liquid and activities to reduce the amount of wastewater treatment sludge
  • Promotion of waste reduction activities among teams participating from all Japanese sites
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Utilization of plastic packaging materials - tray
Utilization of plastic packaging materials (tray)

Environmental Pollution and Laws and Regulations

Renesas Group is committed to proper management and disposal in accordance with relevant waste laws and regulations.

Initiatives for the "Plastic Resource Recycling Promotion Law (Japan)"

In April 2022, the "Plastic Resource Recycling Promotion Law" took effect in Japan. Within the Renesas Group, Renesas Electronics Corporation (REL) and Renesas Semiconductor Manufacturing (RSMC) are two companies that discharge a large amount of waste plastics in excess of 250 tons each year.

Renesas Group proactively work on "reducing total waste, reducing waste plastic, and maintaining a waste plastic recycling rate of 99.9% or more" by separating waste plastic (industrial waste).

In addition to reducing the amount of plastic materials purchased by the Group, we are reducing the amount of waste plastic (cushioning materials) generated by customers by promoting “full cartoning” (see diagram below) at the time of product shipment.

Reduction of cushioning material (waste plastic) by full carton

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Full cartoning

Amount of waste plastic (ton, excluding valuable, Japan)

  April 2020~March 2021 April 2021~March 2022 April 2022~March 2023
Renesas Electronics Corporation 473 482 448
Renesas Semiconductor Manufacturing 464 492 415
Total 937 974 863

Preventing Soil Pollution

When harmful chemicals are passed into and accumulated in the soil, there are concerns about their negative impact on human health, crops, and ecosystems. In an effort to prevent harmful chemical substances from being passed into the soil, we systematically implement measures to reduce the risk of chemical leakage and to prevent permeation into the soil in the unlikely event of leaks.

Furthermore, in our annual environmental audits, we confirm the management status of chemical substances, including the storage locations of chemical substances and the management status of facilities used, and the status of response procedures in the event of leaks, and actively propose measures to further reduce risks.

Facilities that have already taken measures

  • Replacement of underground kerosene tanks (Yonezawa Factory)
  • Replacement of positive film development waste liquid treatment tank (Saijo Factory)

Contributing to SDGs

Renesas’ efforts in Waste Reduction contributes to these Sustainable Development Goals targets:

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3 GOOD HEALTH AND WELL-BEING

3.9 By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination.

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11 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

11.6 By 2030, reduce the adverse per capita environmental impact of cities, including by paying special attention to air quality and municipal and other waste management

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12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

12.4 By 2020, achieve the environmentally- sound management of chemicals and all wastes throughout their life cycle, in accordance with agreed international frameworks, and significantly reduce their release to air, water and soil in order to minimize their adverse impacts on human health and the environment

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12 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

12.5 By 2030, substantially reduce waste generation through prevention, reduction, recycling and reuse

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15 LIFE ON LAND

15.3 By 2030, combat desertification, restore degraded land and soil, including land affected by desertification, drought and floods, and strive to achieve a land degradation-neutral world

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15 LIFE ON LAND

15.4 By 2030, ensure the conservation of mountain ecosystems, including their biodiversity, in order to enhance their capacity to provide benefits that are essential for sustainable development