Environmental Action Report 2003

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

Industrial waste from TohokuEPCO includes cinders/soot (e.g., coal ash), sludge, and gypsum. In FY 2002, the amount of recycled waste increased by 107,000 tons through the effective use of waste. At the same time, the recycling ratio increased from 83.9 % to 94.4 % and the amount of final disposal decreased from 189,000 tons to 64,000 tons. Consequently we attained our target for FY 2003 a year before the scheduled time.

Waste recycling

Examples of recycling

Waste	Recycled usage	Recycling ratio
Cinders(coal ash, etc.): 872,000 tons	Cement materials, cement admixtures, etc. : 815,000 tons	93.4%
Gypsum: 230,000 tons	Gypsum board: 230,000 tons	100%
Construction waste (concrete pillars, etc.): 23,000 tons	Aggregates, road sub-base materials,etc : 22,000 tons	99.2%
Metal scrap (iron scrap, power-cable waste, etc.): 28,000 tons	Power cables, metal products, etc. : 28,000 tons	99.9%
Total amount : 1,161,000 tons	Recycled amount: 1,097,000 tons	94.4%

Radioactive waste in the 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 the environmental impact in office operations, TohokuEPCO is conducting quantitative management of office resources (paper, electricity, etc.) and recycling 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 its power facilities. We will contribute to a recycling- based society, through the preferential use of environmental products.