Honda Recycles for a Cleaner Future

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – May 26, 2009: Honda Motor Co., a leader in sustainability and alternative fuel technology, is expanding its recycling of end-of-life products and the recovery of parts.

Since 1998, Honda has sold highly functional recycled parts to customers in Japan and in July 2001 began marketing its reused parts, expanding the operation known today as Honda Recycle Parts.

Through the use of recovered parts and efforts to recycle materials, Honda has achieved an outstanding re-use rate of 84 per cent.

Some of the recycling initiatives include collecting and disassembling end-of-life oil filters from Honda dealerships throughout Japan and recycling a portion as metal, fuel and reusable production parts.

In 2007, Honda also succeeded in recovering approximately 27 per cent of oil filters sold in Japan and plans to make further efforts to increase the number of end-of-life filters collected.

More recently, Honda recovered an extraordinary 260,090 used bumpers from Honda dealers, service and repair companies.

From these bumpers, 1,378 tonnes were recycled into resin and made into new Honda products including splash shields, splashguards, bumpers for repair and the undercover of Honda motorcycles.

Honda customers also benefit from this global vision right here in Australia.

Over the past 12 months, Honda Australia has recycled over one tonne of food scraps from its head office canteen – the equivalent of nearly three boot loads of a Honda Civic Hybrid - which is used in agricultural areas including flower farms and market gardens.

Honda Australia has recycled almost 80 tonnes of cardboard, used office paper, glass, plastic bottles, aluminium cans, steel, used stretch wrap and strapping over the past year.

Over 50 per cent of the lighting at Honda Australia's head office is classed as 'energy efficient'. Motion detectors and time delay sensors are installed in appropriate areas.

The workshop recycles 95 per cent of water used in the wash-bay, saving approximately 132,000 litres every year.

The company implemented a new recycling program for the destruction of its annual obsolescence parts. Approximately 3,000 lines of vehicle componentry that was previously sent to landfill is now 96 per cent recycled. This is made up of cardboard, plastics, textiles (i.e. seat covers and mats), rubber, electronics (including wiring) and metal.

The nickle/metal hydride batteries from the popular Honda Civic Hybrid are also disposed of or recycled in an environmentally friendly way through a specialised external company.

Honda dealers also get involved in recycling, with 98 per cent using eco seat covers, floor mats and foldaway carry bags made from non-woven polypropylene recyclable material.

Honda Australia’s Managing Director and CEO Mr. Yasuhide Mizuno, says Honda is proactive when it comes to the environment and sustainability. “Our vision is to leave blue skies for our children. Honda’s recycle programs in Japan and Australia shows how we are always looking at new ways to be more sustainable.”

“Every Honda manufactured around the world uses materials that are selected for their recyclability and environmental compatibility. Our engineers have reduced the use of heavy metals and PVC where possible and materials such as rubber and plastic components are used if they have recycling codes.

“The overall environmental efficiency of every Honda is taken into account at the earliest stage of development and is carried right through to the smallest parts of our cars,” Mr. Mizuno said.