Eco-Logistics
Saving on Distribution Materials
Packaging Materials
In order to make more effective use of resources, the Mitsubishi Electric Group3 has been working to reduce the volume of packaging materials it uses since its 1st Environmental Plan was established in 1995. Under the 5th Environmental Plan, we are currently engaged in activities to reduce packaging volume per unit of shipping weight for disposable packaging materials.
Making products smaller and lighter, while also maintaining the structural strength of packaging materials, is effective for reducing the amount of packaging material used. In taking that approach, relevant units work together beginning at the product planning stage to reduce our packaging material use. In addition, we hold events aimed at improving the use of packaging at individual business sites. These events promote improvements including approaches for more efficiently loading trucks and ocean transport containers. Through these activities, we have significantly reduced our use of packaging materials.
In fiscal 2008, our aim was to reduce packaging volume per unit of shipping weight by 13% from fiscal 2005, and we easily achieved that goal with a reduction of 18% (packaging volume of 50,000 tons).
In our 6th Environmental Plan, which begins in fiscal 2010, we have set even higher targets as we push ahead with efforts to reduce our use of packaging material.
Outside of Japan, we have been moving forward with efforts to gather data on our packaging material usage. In fiscal 2008, we used a total of 47,000 tons at 21 companies. We will continue to gather data like this and implement reduction activities.
Packaging improvement meeting
Examining Ways to Reduce Packaging Material Use from the Product Design Stage
The Mitsubishi Electric Group established a formal process for reducing its packaging costs and promoting low-environmental-impact packaging in April 2006. In this process, the Corporate Logistics Dept. plays the central role as packaging designers responsible for individual business sites come together at a targeted site and propose packaging improvements. In principle, these meetings take place once a month.
In more specific terms, packaging designers examine business sites and develop a detailed description of how packaging is used at each site. They then consider ways for improving packagng specifications and methods for individual products, and undertake activities aimed at reducing the use of packaging materials at each business site. These activities are aimed at not only reducing the volume of packaging material used but also increasing loading efficiency. They also serve to increase communication among packaging designers in a more general sense.
In fiscal 2008, packaging designers met a total of 14 times and came up with about 100 packaging improvement proposals. To continue improving our packaging technology, we will continue to bring packaging designers together, and work to make packaging improvement activities a routine part of our operations.
