Environment

We are working to make our product development and manufacturing facilities more environmentally friendly.

Environmental measures in the plants

Measures to reduce waste

 

In Menicon, the plastics used in the manufacturing process are regarded as a high-quality resource. We limit disposal as much as possible, and utilize it effectively inside and outside the factory.

 

<Seki Plant / Kakamigahara Plant in Japan>
The plastics used in these factories are utilized as a raw material for various plastic products by a local recycling company.

 

<Singapore Plant>
In the Singapore Plant, approximately 40% of the used plastics are reused as a raw material for the secondary packaging. The remaining plastics are handed over to a recycling company.

 

Measure to use energy in a sustainable way

 

At the Emmen Plant in the Netherlands, we have made great steps for sustainability. On the roof of the plant, 550 solar panels were installed which are able to provide 150 MWh of electricity annually. This accounts for 15% of the energy required at our plant. In addition, the processes in our production area have been organized to be as sustainable as possible. For example, in winter we use a heat pump to store cold air in a well in the ground. The stored air can be reused for cooling the building in summer, and vice versa, the heat stored in summer can be reused to heat the building in winter.

 

Measure to reduce greenhouse gases

 

Menicon is working as an earth-friendly company. We regard climate change as an important issue and are working to reduce energy consumption at the Seki Plant by 1% or more per year.

 

Effective use of water resources

 

Before inserting and taking off contact lenses, users have to wash their hands with water. For hard contact lenses and regular replacement soft contact lenses, after use, it is necessary to perform lens care with contact lens care products (liquids). Therefore, water is recognized as an important resource for contact lenses.

 

At the Kakamigahara Plant established in 2015, a pure water production device has been adopted to save 50% of water compared to past performance. At the Seki Plant, we are working to make effective use of water resources. For example, some of the water discharged during the soft contact lens production process is reused in the toilets.

Development of environmentally friendly products

Miru 1day Menicon Flat Pack

 

The daily disposable contact lens "Miru 1day Menicon Flat Pack" produced at the Singapore Plant has reduced the amount of plastic used in the lens container by 80% compared to our conventional product (Menicon 1DAY). The package is produced by reusing 100% of plastics used in the contact lens manufacturing process.

 

Redesigned bottle for lens care products

 

Due to the new manufacturing technique, we have achieved up to a 30% reduction in the amount of plastic materials used. In addition, to upgrade the usage experience, we made improvements to the bottle design and created a flexible bottle with a smoother appearance and less notches on the bottle’s neck. When opening the bottle and squeezing solution out, less effort is needed.

 

Sustainable and recyclable packaging materials

 

For RGP lenses produced at the Emmen Plant in the Netherlands, we were looking for a sustainable solution with the development of new packaging for our lenses and our mailing envelopes. They are now made from a more sustainable and recyclable material, so we can further reduce our footprint.

Environmental biotechnology business

Menicon utilizes the technology in the development of contact lenses as well as care products to expand the possibility of environment business with our high-quality manufacturing spirit.

 

Rice straw decomposition accelerator: Agri Kakumei

 

The straw left after harvesting rice is mixed with soil and decomposed. However, if water is added to the rice field with insufficient decomposition, the remaining straw will float and harmful gas will be generated. Furthermore, it has been noted that rice straw incineration causes environmental problems. Menicon developed the rice straw decomposition accelerator "Agri Kakumei" by utilizing the enzyme technology from contact lens care products. It is an earth-friendly material that promotes the decomposition of rice straw with the power of enzymes and reduces harmful gas and floating straw.

 

Environment friendly composting facilitating system: resQ45

 

Currently, about 80 million tons of livestock excrement is emitted annually in Japan. There are concerns about adverse effects on the environment such as foul odors and water pollution. The treatment is also a heavy burden for farmers. Menicon, in collaboration with Toyota Motor Corporation, developed "resQ45" that quickly composts excrement. Since its launch, it has been well received by livestock farmers.

 

Recycling coffee bean residue from Starbucks

 

Menicon took the fermentation accelerating techniques, cultivated from the development of rice straw decomposition facilitators and livestock manure composting facilitators as the base for a means to recycle coffee grounds collected hygienically from Starbucks Coffee Japan shops. Lactic-acid fermentation of the coffee grounds enables long term storage as well as the product to be used as animal feed.

Environmental conservation activities

We are doing various activities toward a sustainable society.

 

Planting trees in the west of Nagoya

 

This is a forest development project sponsored by the City of Nagoya and carried out by citizens and companies. The objective of the project is to grow a rich forest to be passed on to future generations. Menicon has participated in the "Tree Planting Festival" since 2009 and has donated seedlings and joined a series of tree planting and growing activities.

 

Menicon Forest

 

Since 2011, we have participated in a reforestation project in Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture to nurture an environment with rich forests and water which is indispensable for life. We donate seedlings and carry out a series of tree planting and tree growing activities.

 

Planting trees in France, Tanzania, Brazil, and the island of La Réunion

 

Menicon SAS, our subsidiary in France, held a reforesting campaign in 2019. They worked with Reforest'Action to plant a tree for every three boxes of contact lenses purchased by consumers. By the end of the campaign, approximately 2,000 trees were planted in France, Tanzania, Brazil, and La Réunion to conserve natural resources.

 

Cool Biz / Warm Biz dress code

 

Since the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, we have been providing original Menicon-branded polo shirts to all group employees in Japan each summer, and everyone wears them as a uniform. In winter we provide a windbreaker jacket made from soft fibers with high heat-retention properties. We continue to promote cool biz and warm biz dress code policies throughout our group as part of our efforts to conserve electricity.

Water Risk Evaluation

Water (fresh water) is an essential raw material for manufacturing contact lenses and care products. However, the volume of water available on earth is extremely scarce (it is said to be as little as about 0.8% of the total water on earth) and unevenly distributed, and the circumstances surrounding water in these regions are dramatically changing. In order to conduct business activities sustainably while using water under such circumstances, it is necessary to understand what kinds of water-related events may occur at each base (e.g., the plant) and take measures.

Based on this concept, the Menicon Group will evaluate the water risk related to sustainability at the Menicon Group's plants and other facilities.

 

1. The status of water usage

First, we checked the annual usage of water in the Menicon Group.

  Annual usage (unit: 1000 m3)
Amount of water intake 306.5
Amount of drainage 235.6

 

2. The status of water risk in the regions where our bases are located

Using “Aqueduct” from World Resources Institute (WRI), a representative water risk evaluation tool, the status of water risk in the regions where our bases (e.g., plants) are located was checked based on the results of Overall Water Risk.

OVERALL WATER RISK Area
High  Italy
Medium-High  China
Low-Medium  Japan, France, UK
Low  Netherlands, Singapore, Malaysia

 

3. Selection of water risk

The distribution and occurrence probability of various risks in the regions where plants and so on are located were identified using the perspectives of physical risk, regulatory risk, and reputation risk using “Aqueduct” (same as in 2). Consequently, the following four items to be handled with special focus were selected as being susceptible to “water risk.”

 

“Water stress,” “Flood,” “Drought,” and “Quality”

 

4. Event and measures (forecast)

For each item of water risk selected in 3, events that may occur in the future were forecasted.

Risk item Potential event
Water stress
  •  Adverse effects on the living environment in the surrounding area due to shortage of drinking water
  •  Adverse effects on plant operation due to shortage of industrial water
Flood
  •  Suspension of product distribution due to damage to the plant
  •  Inability to operate the plant due to complete destruction
Drought
  •  Decrease in production of products due to inability to take water, resulting in suspension of plant operations
Quality
  •  Health damage to employees due to intake of contaminated water
  •  Adverse effects on the surrounding environment due to discharge of contaminated water from the plant

 

5. Future policy

We will set up a policy considering the occurrence probabilities of risks assumed by our group, the strength of impact, etc., if it actually occurs in our bases (e.g., domestic and overseas plants) and so on. In addition, we will designate the bases where priority measures need to be taken as “priority plants” and make efforts to promote the reduction of the occurrence of water risks.

Menicon Co., Ltd.

21-19, Aoi 3, Naka-ku, Nagoya 460-0006 Japan

Tel +81-(0)52-935-1515

overseas-contact@menicon.co.jp

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