3R Initiatives for Products (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)

In order to achieve a sound resource circulating society, there is a need to reduce the volume of resources extracted and discharged as waste throughout product lifecycles. Toshiba Group is promoting 3R* initiatives for products from the three perspectives of reducing waste, increasing incoming recycling, and upgrading outgoing recycling. We are also taking measures to incorporate 3Rs in product design as well as designing recycling systems and are implementing activities to reduce environmental impacts of our products throughout their lifecycles.

• Reduce, reuse, and recycle

We achieve waste reduction through various means, including reducing the volume of resources used to manufacture products (reducing weight and size) and extending product lives (including upgrades and maintenance).

Incoming recycling refers to the application of recycled materials in products. We will work to improve our incoming recycling rate by increasing our use of recycled materials, plant-derived materials, and reusable parts.

Outgoing recycling refers to the collection and recycling of end-of-life products. By promoting designs that enable reusing and recycling materials, we enhance outgoing recycling while further improving the design of the system for recycling end-of-life products.

We will streamline the use of packaging as well as product materials to reduce environmental impacts throughout their entire lifecycles. We will work to reduce the use of packaging materials through various measures taking into account the characteristics of each business area and product group such as reducing the space taken up by packaging, expanding the use of returnable (reusable) cases, and using materials with low environmental load.