Our approaches to the environment
The tools that create a future you desire
must not be harmful to this future.
Our products are designed to inspire the future through creative expression.
That is why we believe our products and corporate activities must not place a burden on that future.
Without a rich natural environment, there is no rich expression.
We are committed to pursuing a balance between environmental conservation and corporate activities
as an "Expression Innovation Company" that will foster the cultures of tomorrow.
Our Mission
We will mitigate climate change by reducing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and promoting efficient use of energy in all facets of our organization and its operations.
We will contribute towards establishing a resource-circulating society and promoting sustainable consumption by promoting resource conservation, recycling, and providing long-life products.
We will contribute towards the creation of a society with less environmental impact through strict management of chemical substances used in our products and manufacturing processes and the control of environmental pollution.
We will strive to minimize the environmental impact of our operations and products to protect biodiversity and ecosystems.
We will organize a corporate governance system to promote environmental conservation, ensuring increased awareness and proactive actions of our employees.
Mitsubishi Pencil's Key Environmental Challenges
Climate change
As the advancement of global warming continues, combating climate change has
become a significant global
challenge for societies at large.
We will forge a path to mitigate climate change by promoting the efficient use of energy and vastly reducing
carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
We will implement activities and disclose information in accordance with the TCFD recommendations.
Information disclosure based on
the TCFD recommendations
Targets for 2030 and 2050
| 2030 | 2050 | |
|---|---|---|
| CO2 emissions | 50％reduction | 100％reduction |
| Efficient use of energy | 15％reduction | 35％reduction |
| Share of renewable energy consumption | 50％ | 100％ |
- 2030
- 2050
- CO2 emissions
- 50％reduction
- 100％reduction
- Efficient use of energy
- 15％reduction
- 35％reduction
- Share of renewable energy consumption
- 50％
- 100％
We are aiming to achieve a 50% reduction in CO2 emissions from the Mitsubishi
Pencil Group as a whole by 2030 (*1) and a 100% reduction by 2050. To this end, we are also aiming to
reduce our energy consumption by 15% (*2) by 2030 and by 35% (*2) by 2050.
In addition, we are aiming to secure 50% of our Group's total energy from renewable energy sources by 2030
and 100% by 2050.
To meet these demands for total carbon emissions reduction, it is imperative for us to also set up a
sustainable supply chain management.
- *1: Based on CO2 emissions in 2015.
- *2: Based on energy consumption (per unit of sales) in 2015.
CO2 emissions
- -40%
-
Total CO2 emissions in 2022 were approximately 10,500 tons.
We observe a 40% emission reduction compared to 2015 levels, as we continue to transition to electricity derived from renewable energy sources.
We remain committed to advancing our strategy, aimed at increasing the proportion of renewable energy utilization and promoting energy conservation activities, with the overarching goal of mitigating CO2 emissions. - Annual CO2 emissions
Energy
- -10％
-
Energy consumption in 2022 was 285 TJ.
This is a 10% decrease compared to 2015.
Basic unit per net sales was down by 17% compared to 2015, partly due to the effect of increased sales.
We will continue to promote reduction of energy consumption through energy-conservation activities. - Energy consumption
-
- 95％
- 95% of our energy use depends on electricity. As for the remaining energy utilization, we are gradually switching to electricity as well in order to eliminate fossil fuel dependence.
- Energy mix（Year 2022）
Introducing renewable energy
- -5,300 tons
-
We have been gradually transitioning the electricity at our factories to electricity generated from renewable energy sources.
In October 2022, solar panels with a power generation capacity of approximately 430kW were installed on the roof of the Gunma Plant.
In 2023, we replaced an annual usage total of 12 million kWh of electricity to electricity generated from renewable energy sources at our main domestic sites, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions by approximately 5,300 tons.
Resources
As a result of intense business activities based on resource consumption through the course of time, we
have witnessed the depletion of resources which poses significant
challenges to the global
society.
One of such resources is plastic, which is an important material necessary for the high performance and
quality of our writing instruments and is recyclable.
We help realize a resource-circulating society by promoting resource conservation, recycling and waste
reduction.
Reducing the use of virgin plastic
Use of recycled plastic
Recycled plastic accounted for about 20% of the raw plastic materials we purchased for manufacturing products in 2022. We will continue to increase the use of recycled plastic.
Green-net Products
Green-net, our ecology brand, offers a lineup of products compliant with the Act on Promoting Green Procurement*1 and Eco Mark certification.*2
- *1 : Products using recycled plastic for at least 40% of their total plastic weight
- *2 : Products that use recycled plastic for at least 70% of the product weight
The mainstay Jetstream (SXN-150) is a Green Net product, as recycled plastics account are nearly
45% of its plastics by weight.
We provide other Green Net products as well.
Ballpoint pen made from ocean plastic waste
Jetstream Ocean Plastics was released in July 2022. They are made from plastics recycled from ocean
plastic waste collected in Japan and used disposable contact lens cases.
This product is the first product in the stationery industry to have obtained Eco Mark certification
in Eco Mark Product Category No. 164: Products made from recycled ocean plastic waste.
It was selected as a Best Product in the Eco Mark Award 2022 organized by the Eco Mark Office of the
Japan Environment Association.
A ballpoint pen made from used plastic folders
In December 2022, ASKUL Corporation released the Jetstream Ballpoint Pen Made from Plastic Folders. It uses plastics recycled from used plastic folders collected in Japan by the ASKUL Resource Recycling Platform project.
Reducing plastic usage
Long-lasting Refills: with 70% more ink than standard refills
For “long-lasting refills” (black ink) we launched in December 2021, we have successfully increased
the ink volume by 70% compared to our standard product (SXR-80) by making the refill tube thinner,
while keeping the same shape and compatibility with the standard product.
Additionally, we have reduced the use of plastic by about 30% compared to our standard product,
achieving an environmentally friendly design.
Shift to alternative materials
Development of paper-based pen refill for ballpoint pens
We have succeeded in developing the world's first refill made primarily of paper, which is expected
to be an alternative to plastic. Compared to our standard product, the new refill reduces the amount
of plastic in the refill by 88%. It would have about 1.6 times the capacity of a standard SXN-150
Jetstream refill, lasting longer than the standard one.
We suggest this new paper pen refill as one of the potential alternatives to reduce emissions from
plastic use.
Development of long-lasting products
Development of long-lasting products
Even though ballpoint pens may run out of ink, the pens can still retain a longer product life by
replacing refills instead of throwing them away. This can significantly reduce plastic waste disposal.
The long-lasting products account for approximately 55% of the unit sales of our writing
materials.
We continue to promote the development and sales of our long-lasting products.
- *Pencils and colored pencils are not included.
- *Long-lasting products include refillable ballpoint pens, refillable felt-tip pens, and refillable mechanical pencils.
- Case for Jetstream Standard (SXN-150)
- The amount of plastic waste can be reduced by 61% by using one new Jetstream pen (SXN-150) with
three refills compared to using four new Jetstream pens.
By changing refills, a product life gets longer, reducing plastic use by 61%.
Reducing plastic use in packaging
Plastics have been used in many writing instrument packages. We are also replacing the plastics used
in packaging with paper and taking other measures to reduce plastics consumption.
The long-lasting refill product packages released in November 2021 (left in the photo) and for renewed
Jetstream Multicolor/Multifunction refills released in November 2022 (center in the photo) are made of
paper.
In addition, we are transitioning the product packages for overseas markets (right in the photo) to
paper packages.
Reducing wastes
Total emissions (waste + valuable resources) in 2022 were about 2,300 tons. Waste plastics (34%), paper (14%) and sawdust (13%). We are reducing the amount of waste plastic through internal recycling, promoting thorough sorting, and increasing the material recycling rate*1. Most of the paper is recycled as material. Most of the sawdust generated during the production of pencils is effectively used as bedding material for dairy and livestock farming. The recycling rate (including thermal recovery*2) is approximately 96%.
- *1. Material recycling is the reuse of waste as a raw material for products after being crushed, melted and otherwise processed.
- *2. Thermal recovery is the recovery of energy by incinerating waste to use it for power generation and other purposes.
Collecting and recycling used products
Horizontal recycling
In October 2022, we launched the "Horizontal Recycling" project to collect and recycle used pens* to demonstrate the reduction of CO2 emissions by establishing a resource recycling system.
This project is being implemented as part of the Ministry of the Environment's "FY2022 Demonstration Project for a Plastic Resource Circulation System toward a Decarbonized Society".
Horizontal recycling is an activity to make plastic products for the same purpose again from used plastic products. It is a challenging and advanced activity to reduce CO2 emissions, reduce the amount of virgin plastic used, and recycle plastic resources time. However, we will work to make it a reality. We are committed to achieving this goal.
*"Used pens" refers mainly to pens that are no longer suitable for replacing refills or are no longer in use.
Environmental pollution
We are striving to control chemical emissions and to reduce water intake to prevent health hazards that
arise due to the chemicals used in products and manufacturing processes and to conserve water resources.
Controlling chemicals emissions
We have established a Chemicals Committee. It is dedicated to creating a database of information on
chemicals used in products and manufacturing processes and to managing it properly. In so doing, we comply
with laws and regulations concerning chemicals without fail.
We also monitor and manage the status of use of the chemicals in production at individual factories and
regularly report on the substances subject to the Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR)
system.
We are also working to reduce emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
Additionally, we properly implement wastewater quality management in accordance with laws, ordinances and
local regulations.
Reducing water intake
In addition to monitoring water withdrawals, we are working to reduce water consumption by improving production processes and increasing water use effectiveness and efficiency.
At the Gunma Plant (previously 15,000 tons/month) which recorded the highest water intake, we have reduced water consumption by 4,000 tons/month in 2022 through our efforts to optimize usage.
Biodiversity
Deforestation due to illegal logging, etc., is rapidly increasing, causing adverse effects on ecosystems
including flora and fauna as well as
frequent disasters in recent years such as floods and
landslides due to torrential rains, which poses significant challenges to the
international society.
We are addressing the problem by using certified wood for our pencils in order to help protect biodiversity
and ecosystems.
Obtaining forest certification for the wood used in pencils.
In the pencil product procurement process we pay attention to procuring wood with forest management (FM) certifications. (*1) Under the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification Schemes (PEFC), (*2) we acquired chain of custody (CoC) certification (*3) in December 2022 for the processing and distribution processes of our Hi-uni pencils. We will continue our efforts to increase the percentage of wood that we use that is FM certified and to expand the scope of our CoC certification.
- *1. FM certification is granted following the assessment of forest management examining whether the forest is responsibly managed.
- *2. The PEFC is a program enabling the mutual recognition of the forest the certification schemes of different countries.
- *3. CoC certification is granted after the examination of the processing and distribution processes in which certified wood from certified forests reaches the customer.
- Supplementary information
- Covered period :
Unless otherwise specified, the information provided here is for January-December 2022. Transition data for the past 5 years are also provided as necessary.
Scope of Coverage :
Unless otherwise specified, the following major domestic sites are covered. MITSUBISHI PENCIL COMPANY, LIMITED (Head Office, Gunma Plant, Yokohama Office, Yamagata Plant) Yamagata Mitsubishi Pencil Precision Co., Ltd., Uni Polymer Co., Ltd. (Gunma Plant and Yamagata Plant) and Uni Co., Ltd.
