Reducing water usage throughout the Group
Water is important for the Yakult Group’s business operations.
It is not only a raw material used in actual products but is indispensable in various crops supporting diverse products including grain feed.
We therefore are committed to the effective utilization of water, quality management of wastewater and conservation of water resources.
-
Using treated water from drainage facilities for sprinkling water on lawns
(Yakult (Thailand) Co., Ltd.) -
Inspecting water purification equipment
(Fukushima Plant, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd.)
Initiatives at plants
Fukushima Plant, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd
Reusing concentrated impure water generated by the water purification process
At the Fukushima Plant, Yakult Honsha Co., Ltd. products are manufactured using tap and purified water.
For purified water, the purity is raised by removing impurities from tap water using a special-purpose equipment.
As a large amount of water with concentrated impurities are generated in the process (approx. 9 m3 per day), the water was treated at the wastewater treatment facility within the plant and discharged to the sewers.
Although this concentrated impure water is not suitable for drinking and use in the manufacturing process, investigations were started on its use for other purposes since it meets quality standards for industrial water.
Various tests enabled reuse of the water for cooling products and machinery, which dramatically reduced tap water consumption and sewage discharge.
As a result, the plant was able to cut tap water usage and sewage discharge in fiscal 2016 by 2,472 m3 from the previous year.
Yakult Iwate Plant Co., Ltd.
Reducing water used for cooling water management for facilities
Since the compressed air station and various refrigeration facilities at Yakult Iwate Plant Co., Ltd. are water-cooled systems, the management of cooling water is of particular importance.
Previously, a chemical was added to the cooling ater to prevent the formation of scales* in the cooling water pipes.
In fiscal 2016, we changed the chemical to a more effective one for preventing scaling. This enabled the reduction of water used to prevent concentrated impurities in the cooling water.
As a result, the plant was able to cut water usage in fiscal 2016 by 2,702 m3 from the previous year.
* Minerals contained in water which adhere to the insides of pipes
Yakult (Thailand) Co., Ltd.
Effectively utilizing discharged water using microfilters
In Bangkok City, there are concerns about land subsidence caused by pumping up groundwater.
Accordingly, the Bangkok and Ayutthaya Plants of Yakult (Thailand) Co., Ltd. reduce the volume of pumped groundwater, and give consideration to the environment by purifying treated water from drainage facilities with microfilters and effectively utilizing it in the premises.
At the Bangkok Plant, the treated water is used in toilets and for washing pallets, transport vehicles and drainage facilities, while at the Ayutthaya Plant, the water is used in toilets and for watering flowerbeds and lawn.
In fiscal 2016, the Bangkok Plant reused 10,269 m3 ofwater and the Ayutthaya Plant reused 78,007 m3 of water.
VOICE
-
Yuichiro Kawakita
Senior Staff
Facility Maintenance Section
Fukushima Plant Yakult Honsha Co.,Ltd.We were able to reduce water usage by changing our mindset and reusing concentrated impure water.
It made me realize once more the importance of questioning our mindset and making improvements through a new perspective.
I would like to continue working toward water conservation through further improvements with an outlook for saving valuable resources. -
Takumi Sugawara
Facility Maintenance Section
Yakult Iwate Plant Co.,Ltd.Ten years have passed since production began at the Yakult Iwate Plant, and the aging of facilities have started to become conspicuous.
The recent introduction of a new chemical into the cooling water has dramatically cut the amount of water used and reduced costs as well.
The chemical is made up of all-natural mineral ingredients, making our system more favorable for human body and the environment.
It was a fruitful achievement in many respects. We will continue mplementing such effective initiatives n the future.
Initiatives at the head office
Yakult hosha Co., Ltd. head office
installing water-saving devices in restrooms and office kitchenette
Water use at the head office in fiscal 2016 was 22,559 m3, with more than half of this coming from restrooms and kitchenettes.
Tests were then initiated on some of the floors to reduce water usage, after which water-saving devices were installed on around 50 mixing faucets in restrooms and kitchenettes on each floor in March 2017.
After introduction, the amount of water saved is estimated to be about 600 m3 annually, which is equivalent to 1.2 million 500-ml bottles of water.
Initiatives at marketing companies
Yakult Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd.
Introducing ice packs to maintain prodact temperature during home delivery
Ice packs refrigerated at the center are put in the delivering case used by Yakult Ladies to cool products
Yakult Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd. acquired ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) certification in fiscal 2007 and set water usage reduction as one of its environmental targets.
Home deliveries by Yakult Ladies use ice to keep products cold.
Yakult Tokyo Sales partially introduced ice packs as a substitute for ice in fiscal 2009, which reduced water use by an average of 2,568 m3 annually compared to the preintroduction level.
VOICE
-
Takashi Ikenoya
Home Delivery Division 2
Yakult Tokyo Sales Co., Ltd.At Yakult Tokyo Sales, all of the employees are aware that “saving” means “conserving the environment.” By introducing ice packs it not only significantly cut water use, it also led to improving the work efficiency of Yakult Ladies because of the space saved.
We currently use both ice and ice packs.
Used ice is thawed at the centers after deliveries and reused as cleaning water in the centers and its surroundings.
We will continue to value our connection with the local people to widen our environmental conservation efforts in our community.