Yamaha 2003 Annual Report Download - page 23

Environmental
Activities
ANNUAL REPORT 2003 21
Under the YAMAHA Global Environ-
mental Policy established in 1994,
YAMAHA identified environmental
protection as one of its most important
tasks and continues to pursue a broad
range of environmental activities.
In the “Promise to Society” section
of its new corporate principles estab-
lished in February 2001, YAMAHA
reaffirmed its commitment to global
environmental protection and the
aggressive implementation of envi-
ronmental initiatives.
1. ISO 14001 Certification
By acquiring ISO 14001 management-
system certification, the YAMAHA
Group has continued to work toward
reducing the environmental impact
of its business activities.
In March 2003, YAMAHA had
obtained ISO 14001 certification for
all factories belonging to affiliated
companies, both in Japan and abroad.
In addition, the Company has already
received certification for five of its
six Japanese resort facilities.
2. Environment-Friendly Products
YAMAHA has developed a broad
range of products—including musical
instruments, audio equipment, elec-
tronic devices, and automobile interi-
or components and fittings—and
employs a product assessment pro-
gram that reflects the distinctive
characteristics of each product type.
Green Procurement
To minimize the negative effects that
YAMAHA’s goods have on the envi-
ronment, there is a need to measure
and reduce the impact of the parts
and materials procured from suppli-
ers. To this end, YAMAHA issued
the Green Procurement Standard
Report in fiscal 2002 and continues
to hold Green Procurement Information
Sessions in an effort to encourage
cooperation between YAMAHA and
its primary suppliers.
Energy Conservation
Measures are being taken to improve
the energy efficiency of power ampli-
fiers and reduce the energy used by
home theater systems when they are
in standby mode.
Resource Conservation
Measures are being taken to reduce
the amount of paint applied to
acoustic guitars.
In addition, YAMAHA has decreas-
ed the weight of the materials used in
soundproof rooms, switching from
particleboard to paulownia wood.
Toxic Materials
YAMAHA is actively working to use
lead-free solder and has implemented
a system to provide lead-free versions
of LSI chips and lead frames. In
addition, we have eliminated the
use of chromium oxide in pre-paint
processes for wind instruments.
Improved Recycling
We are promoting recycling through
the elimination of grease used in
portable keyboards and are using
fewer screws in the assembly of
routers to reduce dismantling time.
3. Environment-Friendly Production
Preventing Global Warming
YAMAHA’s CO2emissions per unit of
sales have been reduced 5.3%, to 49,276
tons (compared with fiscal 2002).
Protection of Ozone Layer
YAMAHA discontinued the use of
specified CFCs by the end of 1993
and efforts are now under way to
reduce the use of substitute CFCs.
As a result of these efforts, the use
of substitute CFCs in fiscal 2002 was
89% below the fiscal 1996 level.
Waste Materials
Compared with fiscal 1995, we have
achieved a 56% reduction in factory
waste, with 72% of resources recycled,
including as road surfacing materials,
cement , ceramics, and compost.
4. Social Contribution
The Environment Ministry has desig-
nated June Environment Month, and
each year over 1,000 YAMAHA
employees team up to help clean
lakes in the region near the Com-
pany’s head office as well as the areas
surrounding each YAMAHA factory.
Moreover, YAMAHA provides
educational institutions and work-
shops with materials that would oth-
erwise be discarded by its factories
for use in handicrafts and art projects
and donates used instruments to chil-
dren in countries around the world.
For more detailed information, please
refer to the YAMAHA Environmental
Report 2002 at http://www.yamaha.
co.jp/english/yamaha/environment2002.
pdf. Printed copies are also available.
Environmental Activities