EnvironmentPollution Control
Basic ApproachBack to Top
The TOPPAN Group has formulated the following basic policies on pollution control. We position the control of pollution as a critical challenge for management and place utmost priority on environmental conservation initiatives to attain zero pollution. In the event that we cause environmental pollution of any form, we will immediately publish the incident, disclose information, and work relentlessly to address the case while taking necessary actions to reliably prevent recurrences. Recurrence-prevention measures for similar operations will be implemented throughout the Group. Proactive environmental conservation activities will enable us to detect any signs of pollution and swiftly correct the problem at its source.
We strive, in the course of our business activities, to prevent pollution of the atmosphere and water and soil environments, reduce water consumption, and protect the environment in ways that secure sanitary water supplies for employees, local residents, and other stakeholders.
Approach to Environmental ComplianceBack to Top
Preventing Pollution
The Eco-protection Promotion Committee at each Group site in Japan sets in-house control standards that are more stringent than the applicable regulatory standards. TOPPAN works to reduce environmental impact and prevent pollution by observing these in-house standards across the Group.
To prevent atmospheric pollution, we control boilers and other plant facilities emitting air pollutants by managing operations under appropriate combustion conditions. The efficiency of effluent gas treatment has been enhanced through the reuse of recovered organic solvents and appropriate control of combustion equipment in plant facilities subject to requirements under the Air Pollution Control Act.
To prevent water pollution, we have installed wastewater treatment facilities designed to correspond to specific water use and pollutant conditions at individual sites. Wastewater recycling systems have also been installed at Electronics plants that discharge effluents in significant amounts. By recovering and reusing wastewater via these systems, the plants have been working to reduce the levels of water withdrawal and effluent discharge.
Plant facilities subject to the Water Pollution Control Law are checked in compliance with the regulatory standards for structures. Every facility, including any not subject to the law, is monitored to prevent soil and groundwater pollution caused by the leakage of chemicals or other substances, solid or liquid. Any equipment or component showing signs of undue wear has been replaced.
Organizing Pollution Control Training
We arrange three types of training programs on pollution control: general education for every employee at individual Group sites; specific operational training for every employee engaged in operations that cause or can cause significant impacts on the environment; and emergency drills to prevent the spread of damage when a potential emergency occurs.
Handling Inquiries and Complaints
We receive environmental inquiries and complaints via “Inquiries,” a contact window for persons seeking information on corporate activities, on the TOPPAN corporate website. The Ecology Center receives reports on these inquiries and complaints from the Public Relations Division and responds to them as the organization overseeing environmental conservation activities across the Group.
Fiscal 2023 Results
TOPPAN has been using an in-house environmental database for Group sites across Japan to identify any possibility that the limits stipulated under laws, ordinances, agreements, or other applicable regulations are or will be surpassed. Preventive measures against unduly high risks have been taken to ensure that none of the regulatory limits are breached.
Despite these steps, one case of excessive water contamination of n-Hex was recorded at one site, relative to the standards set under laws, ordinances, agreements, or other applicable regulations, in fiscal 2023. Corrective measures were taken immediately, including steps to inspect the plant facilities and revise the methods for facility control. Actions to reliably prevent recurrences have also been taken since the implementation of these corrective measures, including the establishment of a new set of standardized control procedures. No problems with the levels of water consumption or effluent discharge have been identified.
As a preventive action against environmental pollution, we also review drills for coping with potential emergencies and accidents during production operations, whenever necessary.
One community nearby a TOPPAN plant filed a noise complaint in fiscal 2023. To avoid or minimize inconvenience to residents, we will continue enhancing the quality of our environmental management through earnest dialogue with the members of the surrounding communities.
| Fiscal 2023 | Excessive Level relative to Applicable Legal Standards | Complaint |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 1 (1 case involving water contaminants [n-Hex]) | 1 (1 case involving noise) |
No. of Internal Environmental Audits and Issues in Need of Improvement (Fiscal 2023)
| Domestic Sites Audited | 55 |
|---|---|
| Issues in Need of Improvement Identified at Domestic Sites | 28 |
| Domestic Sites Reviewed | 2 |
Remedying Soil and Groundwater PollutionBack to Top
Purifying Soil and Groundwater Pollution
| Operational Site | Detail | Current Progress |
|---|---|---|
| Itabashi Plant (Itabashi, Tokyo) | Groundwater pollution by hexavalent chromium and toluene | Continuously monitored |
| Niigata Plant (Shibata, Niigata) | Soil pollution by fluorine and fluorine compounds | Continuously monitored |
| Asaka Plant (Niiza, Saitama) | Chromium (VI) compounds | Countermeasures completed |
Remedying Soil Pollution for Redevelopment under Regulations
The Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act of Japan requires remediation work or other countermeasures in the event that a soil investigation detects soil contamination at a site during construction or demolition work of a certain scale (including soil contamination by natural sources in the environment). The site reconstruction projects TOPPAN undertakes are occasionally subject to these legal demands. We conduct soil investigations in accordance with the act and take necessary countermeasures whenever soil contamination is detected at Group sites.
New remediation work under the act was performed and completed at the Asaka Plant in Saitama Prefecture in fiscal 2023.