SEe Power Source Management Panel Shows How Energy is Used

Environment Practice Hall

Innovative Transport

SEe Management Panel, a sign with the manager's name on, is put up at the facilities during operation. This panel gives a visual representation of the facilities' operation, allowing excess energy to be cut and manufacturing to be carried out using only the amount of energy that is needed.

In the spring of 2009, we established the Environment Practice Hall, a place where all employees can acquire environmental knowledge and raise eco-awareness, as well as learn how to find where energy can be saved.

This room is rigged so that by placing parts in their set location, they are sent with the proper part trollies without the need to use any electricity.

Using Natural Energy

LED Outdoor Lighting

Installation of Solar Power Panels

Employees made wind and water power systems that use the airflow from plant ventilation fans and water level differences. The power generated is used for the parts transport trollies.

The outdoor lighting that guides customers arriving at the factory entrance was converted to LED.

Solar power panels that have been installed on the factory roof generate approximately 20,000 kWh a year. This electricity is used to run the lights in the canteen and to power development of a water heating system in the plant's R&D building.

Achieved Zero Waste Emissions

In August 2001, the Sakai Plant achieved zero emissions (recycling ratio of at least 99.5%).

3Rs Practice Hall

Weighing System

The production division established the 3Rs Practice Hall in 2009. Participants take the waste that comes off the production lines and think about how to reduce this amount by either recycling, reusing, reducing, or eliminating it altogether.

Unnecessary items are divided into 20 categories for recycling. Each workplace weighs the items and thinks of ways to prevent these waste items from being generated in the first place.

Atmosphere-Friendly Equipment

Continuous Monitoring of Wastewater

The plant has introduced low NOx boilers that emit fewer pollution-causing nitrogen compounds than conventional boilers.

Plant wastewater is concentrated into one location where it is purified. Based on in-house standards stricter than government regulations, the wastewater is monitored 24- a day, every day of the year to ensure that measurement figures for criteria like COD and pH do not exceed standard values.

Emergency Shed

Drills for Water Quality Emergencies

Soundproof Walls

Emergency materials are stored inside a special shed in case of disasters such as earthquakes, fires and chemical substances leaks.

Drills are held twice a year to prevent chemicals and other substances from flowing into storm drains during natural disasters.

The plant constructs soundproof walls around its perimeter or at high locations, and has voluntary noise standards stricter than noise laws. Windows have been placed in the walls to avoid creating a feeling of being closed in, and trees have been planted for aesthetic purposes.

Planting Grass on Playing Fields

We are aiming to create an environmentally friendly facility by having employees plant grass on the playing fields. When sporting events are held (sports day, for example), employees and their families spread seeds over the field, and everyone participates in the monthly maintenance of the playing fields.

Creatures congregate on the grass

Green Wall

The tennis courts at the Kanaoka Factory have a 'green wall' of vegetation. This wall uses hedera helix, a type of ivy ideal for such green walls.

Summer Festival

Exchanges

Every August, a Noryosai Bon dance festival is held to allow plant employees to interact and enjoy with local residents. The 2010 event was attended by about 11,000.

As well, young employees and local elementary school students take the stage to excite the crowd with 'yosakoi soran', a type of modern festival dance.

Every July, an exchange is held with the neighborhood association. By listening to opinions that the association has about the plant, Daikin strengthens bonds with the local community.

Rugby School

Factory Tours for Elementary Schools

Work Experience for Junior High School Students

The plant field is open for use by the Sakai Rugby Club three times a month. This contributes to the growth and development of about 130 students in elementary and junior high school.

For more than 20 years, the plant has been helping elementary schools with their open learning classes by inviting grade 5 students from local elementary schools to tour the factory.

For about 10 years, the plant has been inviting junior high school students to come and try using the actual tools used in production processes and get first-hand experience at a manufacturing site.

Earthquake Simulations

Local Cleanup Activities

A special truck with an interior that can simulate an earthquake was at the annual summer Bon Dance to let people experience what an actual earthquake is like. This is one way Daikin contributes to disaster preparation.

Once a month, all employees take their turn picking up litter on the streets around the plant site. June 2010 was Environmental Month, when employees picked up litter in a nearby playground for children.

Actively Volunteering in Publicly Sponsored Activities

The Sakai Plant took part in tree-planting in the Forest of Coexistence, a project to create green space in the Rinkai area of Sakai City. It also played an active role in a purse-snatching prevention campaign sponsored by the local crime prevention association by providing bicycle carriage covers and promoting awareness of purse-snatching. (The Sakai Plant received letters of appreciation for both of these efforts.)

The Forest of Coexistence in Sakai

A purse-snatching prevention campaign