- Sustainability TOP
- Environment
- Resource Recycling Promotion
Resource Recycling Promotion
Basic Approach
The transition to a sustainable society requires a shift from the linear economic system, which emerged from a mass production and mass consumption-based economic model, to a circular economic system. The Isuzu Group has set a goal of achieving a 100% recycling of waste and end-of-use vehicles as part of the Aspiration in the Isuzu Environmental Vision 2050. We are advancing initiatives to realize a circular economy by focusing on resource conservation, reuse, and circulation throughout our business operations to maximize added value.
| Isuzu Environmental Vision 2050 | 2030 Environmental Roadmap | |
|---|---|---|
| Aspiration | 2030 Challenge | Global action |
 100% recycling of waste and end-of-use vehicles |
|
|
Initiatives
Promote Effective Resource Use
Reduced Packaging Materials: Expansion of the Introduction of Returnable Racks
As part of Isuzu Group's efforts to reduce environmental impact throughout logistics, we are promoting the expansion of environmentally friendly packaging materials, taking into account the entire process from packaging and shipping within the group to disposal at overseas factories. In particular, since 2017, we have been advancing the introduction of reusable returnable racks, gradually expanding their use in the transportation of parts both in Japan and at overseas plants. The expansion of returnable racks has enabled us to reduce the use of one-way racks for packaging knockdown parts, which previously became waste at overseas assembly plants.
Starting in FY2022, the previously wooden, one-way cab racks were switched to iron-made returnable racks. This eliminated the need for tasks such as removing nails during wood disassembly at the time of disposal, thereby improving safety during operations.
Additionally, to make use of the upper space that arises when loading completed cabs into containers, we developed returnable parts racks that fit under the cab racks. This improved container fill rates through stacking. By loading large parts such as axles and parts that were previously shipped using other containers onto these returnable parts racks, we have been able to reduce the use of approximately 300 40-foot containers annually, contributing not only to resource conservation but also to the reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions during transportation.
In FY2020, we also developed lightweight returnable racks that reduced individual rack weight by 33% compared to conventional ones, as well as two types of racks of varying heights to increase container fill rates. By FY2024, the deployment of these racks to major destination countries was completed.
Effective Utilization of Water Resources
Isuzu's business activities entail the consumption of a large quantity of water in vehicle manufacturing, plant maintenance, effluent treatment and many other situations.
As part of our initiatives to conserve limited water resources, we are focusing on reusing process water and wastewater, as well as reducing water usage.
Initiatives Towards a Circular Economy
Maintenance Leases Utilizing Remanufactured Units
Isuzu provides maintenance lease services for reconditioned large trucks, referred to as GIGA type-Re, using Isuzu's remanufacturing*1 technology. This technology restores reusable engines, transmissions, and other components to like-new functionality after short-term, high-performance leasing.
The restoration process uses the advanced genuine maintenance tool PREISM to assess the vehicle's condition and detect data on parts that need replacement.
By reusing parts, we not only contribute to resource circulation but also achieve a reduction in CO2 emissions during manufacturing by approximately 76 tons per vehicle compared to new vehicles*2. This initiative supports our goal of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
As of June 2024, Isuzu has provided 20 units of GIGA type-Re to customers for use.
Additionally, we are working towards expanding the offering to include medium-duty trucks in response to customer requests, with the goal of making this expansion during FY2025.
- *1The term 'remanufacture' refers to products that are like-new having been analyzed and had parts replaced etc. following the collection of used products.
- *2Calculated based on a heavy-duty GIGA truck that has traveled 1 million kilometers over five years.
Promotion of Rebuilt Products
The Isuzu Group is engaged in rebuilding used engines and parts by disassembling, cleaning, inspecting, and replacing worn parts with new ones before reassembling them.
We sell remanufactured products that meet the same inspection standards as new parts from the production line under the Isuzu genuine recycled parts brand E-PARTS.
Isuzu Engine Manufacturing Hokkaido Co., Ltd. rebuilds engines and parts to reduce resource input and manufacturing energy. In the future, we will establish evaluation standards for parts recycling technologies and recycled parts, improve the parts recycling rate, and promote and expand rebuilding to further reduce resource and energy input.
Promoting Recycling
Compliance with the Automotive Recycling Law
The Isuzu Group is committed to reducing the total amount of waste generated by its business activities and promoting the effective use of waste to minimize and control emissions, including valuable materials.
We handle end-of-use vehicles according to regulations in each country, and in Japan, we promote recycling under the Act on Recycling, etc. of End-of-Life Automobiles. This includes recycling the three designated items (ASR*, airbags, and chlorofluorocarbons).
For the recycling of ASR, we operate the Automobile Shredder Residue Recycling Promotion Team (ART) in collaboration with 12 other automobile manufacturers to ensure proper handling of ASR.
- *Automobile Shredder Residue