Yokohama – “Complete Zero Emissions” Reached at Thailand Factory

Yokohama Rubber’s car, truck and bus tyre factory in Thailand has become the company’s fifth plant outside of Japan to achieve “complete zero emissions” – in other words, no waste generated in the factory is subject to direct landfill disposal. This achievement was reached in November, eleven months after the factory became the first Yokohama factory outside of Japan to reach “zero emission” – less than one per cent – landfill status.

After attaining “zero emission” status, Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand) says it continued its research into new methods for the disposal of items such as electric components and batteries, which, although representing only a small volume, had till then been subject to direct landfill disposal. The tyre maker then conducted an on-site investigation of the contractor it commissioned to dispose of waste from the plant, following which it was able to confirm its “complete zero emissions” status. Attention has now been turned towards the next step, achieving “100 per cent waste recycling.”

All eight of Yokohama’s factories within Japan reached the “complete zero emissions” level by March 2006 and had achieved 100 per cent recycling of industrial waste by the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010. The company’s aim is for all 15 of its overseas production sites to achieve “complete zero emissions” by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012. Along with Yokohama Tire Manufacturing (Thailand), Yokohama Tire Philippines plus three Chinese plants, Hangzhou Yokohama Tire, Yokohama Hamatite (Hangzhou) and Yokohama Hoses & Coupling (Hangzhou), have already met this goal.