Environmental Action Report 2002

TohokuEPCO has actively contributed to the creation of a resource-recycling society through proper management and promotion of the Three R'-s (Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling of waste).

Industrial waste from TohokuEPCO includes cinders (e.g., coal ash), sludge, and gypsum. In FY2001, the amount of recycled waste increased by 67,000 tons through the effective use of waste. At the same time, the recycling ratio increased from 82.8 % to 83.9 % and the amount of final disposal decreased from 192,000 tons to 189,000 tons.

Waste recycling

Examples of recycling

Waste	Recycled usage	Recycling ratio
Cinders(coal ash, etc.): 886,000 tons	Cement materials, cement admixtures, etc. : 710,000 tons	80.1%
Gypsum: 230,000 tons	Gypsum board: 230,000 tons	100%
Construction waste (concrete pillars, etc.): 25,000 tons	Aggregates, road sub-base materials : 23,000 tons	92.0%
Metal scrap (iron scrap, power-cable waste, etc.): 26,000 tons	Power cables, metal products, etc. : 24,000 tons	92.3%
Total amount : 1,179,000 tons	Recycled amount: 990,000 tons	83.9%

Radioactive waste in a nuclear power station is separated from industrial waste and treated appropriately, depending on the properties and types of the radioactive materials.

In order to reduce environmental loading in office operations, TohokuEPCO is conducting the quantitative management of office resources (paper, electricity, etc.) and recycling of waste paper.
In addition, we have adopted green purchasing strategies for office supplies and introduced low-emission vehicles. In April 2002, TohokuEPCO formulated and announced the Green Procurement and Purchasing Guidelines, which are applied to office supplies, materials, and equipment at all our power facilities.