Creating a Recycling-Oriented Society
The Obayashi Group has formulated the Environmental Policy and been implementing initiatives throughout the supply chain to realize a decarbonized, recycling-oriented society that has respect for the natural world. For the realization of a recycling-oriented society, we are facilitating specific initiatives across our businesses, including recycling of materials and proper waste management through business activities.
Target for Realization of Recycling-oriented Society
The Environmental Policy sets out efforts to reduce environmental impact through the Group's entire business activities for the realization of a recycling-oriented society. We believe that it is necessary to work to realize a recycling-oriented society by managing the entire supply chain and a building lifecycle (*1) in light of the 3Rs (*2). In order to reduce the final disposal of waste derived from the construction phase of the building lifecycle, we currently set the ratio of mixed waste to the total construction waste as a KPI and promote initiatives to achieve 3% or below. Further initiatives and targets are under review in light of societal circumstances and needs.
- *1 Building lifecycle
The lifecycle of buildings from their planning, designing, and construction to operation, maintenance, management, and demolition - *2 The 3Rs
Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle
Analysis of Current Situation and Issues Regarding Initiatives for Realization of Recycling-oriented Society
The Group has implemented initiatives for recycling resources primarily at the construction phase, such as zero waste activities as well as material development and practical application utilizing industrial by-products. Meanwhile, we see that our primary challenge is to increase initiatives covering the upstream (such as procurement of raw materials, processing, and transportation) and the downstream (such as quality control, maintenance, and management) of our supply chain.
Promotion of Recycling of Construction Materials
In order to not only recycle construction materials but also reuse interior materials and equipment, we have introduced myUpcyclea, a resource recycling data platform operated by Upcyclea. This platform visualizes the environmental performance of construction materials and reusability of materials arising from construction demolition, helping us facilitate recycling of construction materials.
Waste Management
Obayashi is also working to reduce the ratio of final disposal and to promote horizontal recycling. The Group has introduced electronic manifest at all offices since 2006 to strengthen waste management.
Building Structure Reuse
In construction of a new laboratory building of the Obayashi Corporation Technology Research Institute, we reused steel-frame and concrete structural materials from a demolished building. This is Japan's first initiative of its kind (*3).
- *3 According to Obayashi's survey in June 2024
Japan's first initiative to "collect all types of structural materials from one building and reuse them as structural materials for a newly built building"
Circular Timber Construction®
Going beyond the promotion of wooden structures and interiors, the Obayashi Group draws on its past experience, expertise, and knowledge in forestry to promote a complete and sustainable cycle for domestic timber. This cycle encompasses operations upstream (tree planting and cultivation), midstream (processing and procurement), downstream (construction), and beyond (power generation and supply). Through this initiative, we aim to use sustainable forest resources and to realize a society that respects the natural world.
Traceability Survey
In response to growing public concern about violations of human rights and environmental destruction in supply chains, we have been conducting traceability surveys since 2021 on imported timber materials and solar panel materials, which are considered to be at high risk of human rights violations.
Water and Forest Resource Risks
Water resources and forest resources are highlighted as challenges in resource recycling facing the construction industry. Our business activities utilize timber and water, and water and forests are closely related to the construction industry. Although the consumption is smaller than that of other materials such as steel and cement, we position timber as one of important materials from viewpoints of conserving biodiversity and respecting human rights, as well as its potential as a renewable material. In Japan, water is abundant in quantity (*4) and therefore we focus on risks in quality (*5), while there are water resource risks in quality and/or quantity inherent in other parts of the world. Based on the understanding of these aspects, we will make efforts to minimize the risks in accordance with laws and regulations and according to needs in local communities. In addition, since timber, supplied from forests, and water, supplied from rivers and groundwater, are connected with the realization of not only a recycling-oriented society but also a decarbonized society and a society that respects the natural world, we are conducting business by developing consumption plans suited for each community taking into account the risks.
- *4 Risks in quantity
Meaning the amount of available water resources (Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism) - *5 Risks in quality
Meaning water pollution, contamination, etc.
- *6 Aqueduct Water Risk Atlas
Tool to evaluate and visualize water risk in the world - *7 Global Forest Watch
Provides information on forest cover, land use, and biodiversity sites to identify risks of deforestation and land conversion
Going Forward
At present, the ratio of mixed waste to the total construction waste is set as a KPI. To realize a recycling-oriented society, it is important to recycle resources throughout the supply chain. The roadmap is now under review according to the implementation status and social conditions.
