We are implementing necessary measures to address environmental risks recognizing that even though we mostly use ingredients of natural origin, they still might produce negative impacts on the environment.
Environmental Risk Management Strategies
The products provided by the Suntory Group mainly use agricultural products and water, so the environmental risk from raw materials is lower than in other industries. Nevertheless, chemicals are used in the manufacturing process to clean and sterilize equipment and can contaminate the surrounding environment. Therefore, we consider all possible abnormalities and emergencies, evaluate risks, and implement countermeasures.
Preventing Air Pollution
The Suntory Group strives to reduce SOx and NOx emissions by switching to gas fuel that does not contain sulfur and adopting low NOx burners. We have set voluntary standards that are stricter than legal limits and control air pollutants in exhaust gas from boilers.
SOx emissions
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions (t) | 14.4 | 16.4 | 16.8 |
| Per Unit (g/kL) | 3.0 | 3.4 | 3.5 |
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*26 production plants in Japan
NOx emissions
| 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Emissions (t) | 134.6 | 147.0 | 152.0 |
| Per Unit (g/kL) | 28.5 | 30.1 | 31.6 |
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*26 production plants in Japan
Preventing water pollution
Wastewater management is conducted at each factory by setting voluntary standards that are stricter than legal limits.
Preventing Soil Pollution
Suntory Group plants use chemical substances to clean equipment. These are strictly controlled, and efforts are made to prevent them from leaking. However, even if a cleaning agent or chemical leaks out, liquid control dam surrounding chemical tanks will prevent to pollute soil. We carry out periodical inspections to prevent pollution.
Measures for Alcohol Evaporation
Some amount of alcohol vaporizes from the cask during the storage of whisky. We place collection equipment to prevent any evaporated alcohol from escaping the plant. In addition, regular monitoring (concentration measurement, etc.) is done to confirm if alcohol evaporation is being reduced.
Chemical Substance Management
Suntory group manages chemical substances by following laws, Pollutant Release and Transfer Register (PRTR) Law, Poisonous and Deleterious Substances Control Act, Fire Service Act and other related laws. Furthermore, we make a guideline on chemical substance management based on PRTR Law (established 2003).
Management of Waste
We promote to introduce an electronic manifest system for compliance with waste law and enhance information control of waste. We also hold lectures of waste related law, visiting waste treatment facilities and role-playing training for audit them to members of production, sales, cultural sites, headquarters and group companies. We call such a lecture as “Waste management seminar” and “Surveillance seminar at waste treatment facility” to skill them up the knowledge and the audit ability on waste management. We continue initiatives for compliance with waste law.
Management of PCB Disposal
We store PCB wastes appropriately and report their storage status to the local government based on “Law Concerning Special Measures Against PCB Waste”. We have registered to Japan Environmental Storage & Safety Corporation (JESCO) as a subcontractor for the disposal of PCB and began disposal of equipment that includes PCB from 2007. Status of the use and storage of equipment that includes PCB is as follows.
Quantity of equipment that uses PCB (as of January 2020)
| Stored | Used | Total owned | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Capacitor | 3 | 0 | 3 |
| Transformer | 8 | 2 | 10 |
| Stabilizer for lighting device | 20 | 0 | 20 |
Claims, Accidents and Lawsuits
There were no claims, accidents or lawsuits related to environment in 2019.