Satisfaction for the Global Environment

Via resource recycling initiatives that use limited resources and energy without wasting them, we will take on climate change and other challenges confronting a sustainable society, and strive to create a resilient society that preserves the beautiful global environment.

Materiality

• Engaging with climate change issues via corporate activities
• Developing goods, services and mechanisms to encourage the recycling of resources
• Investigating and reducing hazardous chemical substances

Related SDGs

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Highlights in 2023

Individual thoughts on Satisfaction for the Global Environment

Engaging with climate change issues via corporate activities

It is necessary to know the volume of CO₂ emissions before reducing them. We first calculated and disclosed the volume of emissions from our plants in 2020. Since then, we continue to expand the scope of our investigations. Henceforward we must enter the reduction phase, so our company has carried out organizational restructuring for that purpose.
Going forward, we are also looking at reductions and disclosure of information on the part of the entire Group. We will work on both product development and sustainability implementation to fulfill our responsibilities as a member of society, and to become a Group of which the next generation of young people will say, "I want to work for a company like that."

Sustainability implementation, CSR Division, Stationery Company

Environmental Philosophy/ Environmental Policy of The PLUS Group

We engage in a variety of environmental conservation activities while understanding the environmental impact of our business, based on The PLUS Group Environmental Philosophy and Environmental Policy.

Conceptual Life Cycle Diagram

Engaging with climate change issues via corporate activities

Recognizing that measures against climate change are an important challenge in the creation of a sustainable society, the entire Group will endeavor to gain a grasp of the volume of greenhouse gas emissions generated through all business activities, including procurement, manufacturing, sales, and delivery, and strive to reduce them.

• 1. Calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and set reduction targets

  Under the “The PLUS Group Environmental Philosophy and Environmental Policy”, we are tackling various activities for conserving the environment while ascertaining the effects our business activities have on the environment and making efforts for a recycling-based society.

  Environmental Performance Data

  Reporting period: FY2023 (2023.1.1～2023.12.31)
  Guidelines: Ministry of the Environment "Environmental Reporting Guidelines FY2018"/ ISO 26000

  Reportable organizations:

  PLUS CORPORATION	Including Maebashi Plant, Yorii Plant, Tokorozawa Plant, and Osaka Plant
  Some of the plants of consolidated subsidiaries	Nippon Notebook Corporation Nippon Notebook Corp. Okayama Plant
  	Nippon Notebook Corporation Nippon Notebook Corp. Vietnam Plant
  	PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Dong Nai Province, Vietnam)
  	PLUS Stationery Shanghai Co., Ltd. (Shanghai City, China)
  	Shantou PLUS Instruments Co., Ltd. (Shantou City, China)

  Independent third-party assurance report

  Environmental Performance Data for reportable organizations has been verified by a third party (Sustainability Accounting Co., Ltd.) for the reliability of information disclosure.

  Independent third-party assurance report

  

  click on the thumbnail to enlarge

  Changes in scope of calculation and trends in GHG emissions

  • In fiscal year 2019, we started calculating Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions in our stationery business field (three plants of PLUS CORPORATION, and five plants of overseas consolidated companies).
  • In fiscal year 2020, we expanded our calculation scope to add Scope 3 calculation and include our furniture business field (Maebashi Plant).
  • In fiscal year 2023, the current reportable organizations expanded to include PLUS CORPORATION offices and JOINTEX business fields in the calculation scope.

  

  • The scope of calculation of the stationery business field and furniture business field
    Until FY2022: stationery business field (plants only) and furniture business field (plants only)
    In FY2023: Only PLUS CORPORATION in both stationery business field and furniture business field
    Some the plants of consolidated companies have been newly added to the scope of calculation

  Breakdown of GHG emissions by category in FY2023

  Scope	Category	Scope/Category name	Emissions intensity (t-CO2)	Ratio by Scope (%)	Scope 3 ratio (%)
  1	-	Direct emissions	3,347	0.8	-
  2	-	Indirect emissions from energy sources※	17,448	4.2	-
  3	1	Purchased goods and services	309,058	95.0	77.7
  	2	Capital goods	744		0.2
  	3	Fuel- and energy-related activities not included in Scope 1 and 2	2,783		0.7
  	4	Upstream transportation and distribution	16,894		4.2
  	5	Waste generated in operations	570		0.1
  	6	Business travel	824		0.2
  	7	Employee commuting	1,551		0.4
  	8	Upstream leased assets	-		-
  	9	Downstream transportation and distribution	-		-
  	10	Processing of sold products	-		-
  	11	Use of sold products	16,752		4.2
  	12	End-of-life treatment of sold products	48,783		12.3
  	13	Downstream leased assets	-		-
  	14	Franchises	-		-
  	15	Investments	-		-
  Scope 1 and 2 total			20,795	5.0
  Scope 3 total			397,959	95.0
  Total			418,754	100.0	100.0

  • Indicates market-based emissions (numerical values obtained by applying the emission factor to each contracted electric power company and contract type).

  
• 2. Engage in initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions

  Initiatives to reduce CO₂ emissions from our businesses and plants

  With the aim of achieving a low-carbon society, we implement energy-saving action in locations such as our offices and plants, as well as other initiatives against global warning.

  Action	Location	Content of the initiative
  Installation of solar panels	Maebashi Plant	In November 2013, we installed solar panels on the roof of Center Factory※1 and established the PLUS Maebashi Plant Power Plant. It has a power generation output of 500 kW. The annual power generation in fiscal year 2023 was 632,864 kWh (116.4% compared to the previous fiscal year), and the annual CO2 emission reduction was 247t※2. All the generated power is sold to TEPCO. ※1 Center Factory is a metal furniture factory that produces desks and cabinets. ※2 Calculation based on the TEPCO CO2 emission coefficient (0.000390t-CO2/kWh) submitted to the website of the Ministry of the Environment Government of Japan in fiscal 2024.
  	Yorii Plant	We have installed solar panels on the roof of the facility where we are tenanted. There are instruments that display the daily amounts of power generated and power used, and the sunlight intensity, and energy-saving measures are thoroughly enforced.
  	PLUS Stationery Shanghai Co., Ltd	In 2023, we installed solar panels at Plant 1 and Plant 2 of PLUS Stationery Shanghai Co., Ltd.
  Reuse of Waste Heat	Maebashi Plant	Atelier Factory※3 in PLUS LAND effectively uses the exhaust heat from the large dust collector in the factory. The warm air discharged during product processing is purified and circulated for air conditioning (heating) in the factory. ※3 Factory for wooden furniture production, furnished with a studio for researching prototypes and handling custom-made orders.
  	Yorii Plant	Effective use is made of waste heat from compressors. In the summer, warm air is released to the outside through ducts in the plant to adjust the air conditioning (cooling) inside, and in the winter, it is circulated indoors (for heating).
  The Top Light system	Maebashi Plant	As part of our initiatives to conserve energy, we have installed large lighting windows in key areas of the Atelier Factory ceiling. The top light system utilizes openings in the ceiling, and can be expected to let in three times more light than windows installed in walls. It is particularly effective for large buildings such as plants where light from wall openings does not penetrate as far as the central areas.
  Use of roof insulation	Maebashi Plant Yorii Pkant	The roofs of the Atelier Factory and the Tokorozawa Plant, which is the production base for stamps, are covered with heat insulating material to save on energy used by the air conditioning equipment. It reduces the impact of outside temperature, and thus decreases the consumption of energy sources such as electricity, gas, and oil used for the air conditioning.
  Installation of Electric Energy Meters	PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD	We are working to reduce power consumption by changing from fluorescent and high voltage lights to LED lights in the plant and improving the efficiency of energy use at existing manufacturing facilities. In order to measure the effectiveness of these measures, electricity consumption is being monitored by watt-hour meters installed in each electrical box.
  Application of insulation	PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD	Electricity consumption and CO2 emissions were successfully reduced by applying insulation to the T-dies※4 of inflation molding machines and heavy extruders, and to the screw sections of the injection molding machines.※5 ※4 Molds used for film production ※5 Machine that molds thermally melted plastic by pouring it into a mold
  Application of Inverter	PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD	We have successfully reduced power consumption and CO2 emissions by using inverters※6 instead of magnetic starters to modify the output of hydraulic pump motors on the plastic crushers and injection molding machines. ※6 Device for fine control of motor rotation
  Changing lighting to LED lighting	Tokorozawa Plant	As a measure to implement energy-saving at the Tokorozawa Plant, which produces stamps, we switched the lighting in the office and work area to LED lighting.
  Light-Down Campaign	PLUS CORPORATION Group companies in Japan	Following on from the "CO2 Reduction/Light-Down Campaign" launched by the Ministry of the Environment, Government of Japan in 2003, we are intensifying our PLUS Light-Down Campaign. We are implementing it in tandem with work style reforms and have set a target that "all employees leave work and switch off the office lights by 19:00." On July 12, 2023, we urged employees at 24 locations, including our Headquarters, Toranomon Office to leave work by 7 PM, and turn off all the lights.
  Plus/Minus One Degree Campaign	PLUS CORPORATION Some Group companies in Japan	As an energy-saving initiative in our offices, we implemented our Plus/Minus One Degree Campaign where the office temperature setting is moved by one degree centigrade. During the summer months from June to September 2023, the standard temperature setting was changed from 25℃ to 26℃, and in the winter months from November 2023 to March 2024 it was changed from 26℃to 25℃.

  Reducing CO₂ emissions via reductions in plastic raw materials

  We are striving to reduce CO₂ emissions via reduced use of plastic raw materials. PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. is our production hub of stationery products. At the Bien Hoa Plant, plastic resin offcuts generated during product molding are put into a crusher with a robot arm and recycled for use as raw materials, and the Nhon Trach Plant has taken steps to reduce the amount of plastic resin wasted when changing polypropylene sheet rolls.

  Amount of recycled plastic used

  Of the 9,410t of plastic used at the Nhon Trach Plant and the 1,477t used at the Bien Hoa Plant, roughly 1,185t is recycled for use

Developing goods, services and mechanisms to encourage the recycling of resources

In order to make efficient use of limited resources, we promote resource-saving design and reuse waste materials such as offcuts and used products to reduce the amount of raw materials utilized and waste generated, while also promoting the creation of products with a view to recycling. We carry out in-depth research from the perspectives of materials, design and recycling technology, and propose new systems and services.

• 1. Galvanize initiatives aimed at a circular economy
• 2. Promote a total recycling system for used office furniture
• 3. Develop environmentally friendly products

  Environmentally-friendly products that aim to reduce CO₂ emissions and reduce the use of plastics

  The PLUS Group is making proactive efforts in environmentally-friendly products with the aim to realize a sustainable society.

  “Pietra Light” lounge work furniture that brings you closer to your colleagues

  In 2024, we released our “Pietra Light” sustainable stool. This stool uses chemical recycled polyester, and it is manufactured by effectively utilizing, in the cloth material of the main part, waste clothing and cloth scraps produced during production processes. This contributes to reduction in the use of chemical fuels. Also, since the stool design does not involve the adhesion with different types of materials, so the product can be taken apart and disposed of appropriately. Moreover, lightweight materials are used in the core of the product, allowing anyone to pick it up and carry it. This lightweight design also contributes to reduction in C02 during transport. Combining it with other items in the same series will create a matching design between all the products. This creates an office environment that allows workers to relax and communicate with each other. This lounge work furniture brings colleagues together, is environmentally friendly, and fosters more creativity.

  

  Products that are easy to disassemble and recycle, “WHIPER Correction Tape in Paper Case” and “norino Glue Tape in Paper Case”

  “WHIPER Correction Tape in Paper Case” is disposable correction tape. This product uses 40%^※1 less plastics than similar products made by our company. The case of the main part is made from paper. After use, the paper and plastic parts can be separated and disposed of appropriately. Our “norino Glue Tape in Paper Case”, which has the same structure, has reduced plastic by 47%^※2, compared to our conventional products. The case of the main part has the gentle feel of paper. It has a design that far exceeds what you would find in conventional plastic designs. We designed this glue tape with a focus on use and functionality. It has a smooth and steady glide during application.

  • ※1

    Compared to conventional “WHIPER Petit” products of the company

  • ※2

    The same tape length used for comparison with the smallest glue tape “norino Beans” of the company

  

  “Clean note Kaite” series magnetic memo pad that is both environmentally friendly and economical

  “Clean note Kaite” is a magnetic memo tool that we released in 2019. In 2022, we also released a compact size “Memo Type” that is easy to place on small desks, around computers, and in kitchens, as well as an “Adhesive Type” that you can use like sticky notes. The product includes magnetic sheets on which you can write or erase using magnets. It is easy to write on and feels natural like you are using a pencil to write on paper. It does not require any consumable items like batteries or markers. It is an environmentally-friendly and economical product that you can use many times. Also, since it does not use ink, you do not need to worry about smudges and eraser shavings. You can use it with a free app that allows you to save or share the contents as an image. This allows you to cut down on paper use.

  

Investigating and reducing hazardous chemical substances

We will switch from raw materials which contain chemical substances that may cause water, air, or soil contamination, or may have a worrying impact on the human body, to safer raw materials. We strive for appropriate disclosure of information regarding chemical substances to our employees and customers, and provide safe and reliable products that pay due consideration to the global environment.

• 1. Thoroughly control chemical substances and hazardous substances in products

  Exhaust processing and emissions restrictions of VOCs (volatile organic compounds)

  At the Bien Hoa Plant of PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD. (Dong Nai Province, Vietnam) and the Shanghai Plant of PLUS Stationery Shanghai Co., Ltd (Shanghai, China), we have deployed VOC exhaust processing systems that use activated charcoal filters to remove VOCs^※1, which are a source of air pollution. The Bien Hoa Plant also checks the VOC content not contained in the air in the pad printing^※2 section.
  Also, the Shantou Plant of Shantou PLUS Instruments Co., Ltd (Guangdong Province, China) makes considerations with regards to environmental pollution and safety of plant workers by restricting VOC emissions by utilizing a proprietary development method using water-based paints, powder coating, and water-based adhesives in some white boards.

  

  • ※1

    Abbreviation of “Volatile Organic Compounds” The Shantou Plant does not use VOCs in water-based paints, powder coating, or water-based adhesives (with the exception of some products).

  • ※2

    A printing method in which silicon rubber pads containing ink are pressed, like a stamp, onto products

  Compliance with laws and regulations, and prevention of pollution

  In compliance with laws and regulations concerning the environment as well as with other requirements to which The PLUS Group has agreed, we establish our own standards where necessary and make efforts to prevent environmental pollution.

  Training for preventing pollution	Primary contents of activities
  Mock training for plant drainage emergency (Maebashi Plant)	Once a year, we hold mock emergency response training. In this training, we assume a case of non-compliant discharge of plant waste water into the Kanzawa River (class A river). Normal waste water produced through production processes and waste liquids created during updates are appropriately processed according to the standards stipulated in laws and regulations, so we regularly monitor and measure them based on the management procedures and implementation responsibilities that we have established.
  Mock training to respond to leakage of chemical products (PLUS VIETNAM INDUSTRIALCO., LTD.)	Once a year, we hold training for dealing with leakage of chemical products along with in-house fire drills. Employees receive training on the safe use and storage of chemical products, collection in the event of a leakage, and post-event environmental recovery. Every month, we perform an audit to check for compliance with environmental laws and regulations.

• 2. Provide information for the safe use of products

  Provision of information concerning hazards and toxicity

  The PLUS CORPORATION has created a support page on our website to share information that allows customers to use the products of all our businesses safely. The support page includes a contact center, FAQ, instruction manuals, and assembly instructions. It also includes Safety Data Sheets (SDS) that caution customers about hazards to human health and the environment, product properties that could cause fire or explosion, and measures to take in the event of an emergency. It contains information about the chemical properties of products for which we receive many inquiries, and customers can download these at any time.