Improving Line Productivity

Developing Innovative Equipment

Coating Effectively Reflects Sun

With a goal of reducing CO₂ emissions per sales by 30% over fiscal 2000, we are striving to raise productivity and reduce energy consumption during room air conditioner production.

On the production lines, employees built a transport and separation device for parts that uses the force of gravity and thus requires no electricity.

The Shiga Plant put Daikin's ZEFFLE infrared reflective coating on the roof, resulting in lower temperatures inside the building and less of an air conditioning burden.

Automatic Dimming System

Energy Saving Patrol

Green Curtain

The light intensity inside offices is detected by a sensor that appropriately dims the fluorescent lights. On sunny days, the system uses natural light in order to save electricity on indoor lighting.

The factory workers take turns doing regular patrols of their work place in order to find even the slightest waste of energy.

Each department has planted bitter melons along the cafeteria windows. This curtain has been shown to reduce the room temperature by 3°C and save on air conditioning. The delicious and healthy bitter melons are cooked and served in the cafeteria to the delight of employees.

Thorough Separation and Recycling of Waste

Reusing Protective Gear

Waste Material Press

All unnecessary items are separated for recycling. And each workplace weighs the items and thinks of ways to prevent these waste items from being generated in the first place.

Instead of discarding items used by line workers, such as wiping cloths and protective gloves, when possible the Shiga Plant cleans these to be used again.

Items such as cushioning material for packaging and plastic bags are placed in a press to remove the air and compact them so that they can be shipped more efficiently to the recycling plant. This also contributes to the stable recycling of materials.

Reusing Wooden Palettes

Collecting Plastic Bottle Caps

Logistics companies help us in reusing the wooden palettes used during international procurement. Palettes that cannot be reused are carbonized into charcoal that is used to deodorize the inside of the factory buildings.

Plastic bottle caps are collected in special recycle bins. This is part of the Shiga Plant's participation in an initiative that recycles the caps to raise money for vaccination of children around the world. Since fiscal 2009, 314,400 caps have been collected at the plant (enough to provide vaccination for 393 people).

Exhaust Gas Treatment Equipment

Water Treatment Facilities

Pond Functions as Dyke

Treatment equipment was installed to purify the exhaust gas from the coating drying furnace. Its filter, which absorbs harmful substances, is activated charcoal made by carbonizing the wood from palettes remaining from logistics.

All wastewater in the plant is channeled to a single location for purification. Daikin has stipulated an in-house standard value for plant wastewater that is stricter than legal limits. The plant works daily to ensure measurements for items such as COD and pH do not exceed in-house standard values.

A pond that provides a relaxing place for employees to take breaks also acts as a reservoir for all rainwater flowing from the Shiga Plant. If there is an oil spill in the plant, a measuring device at the pond gate sounds an alarm to warn employees in charge. To keep polluted water from flowing into public waterways, there is an emergency gate that can be closed at the pond's outlet. The plant thus has secondary and tertiary prevention measures.

Stockpiling Emergency Materials and Equipment

Water Quality Monitoring Equipment

Emergency Water Blockage Gate

In case of emergencies such as earthquakes, fires, or oil spills, the Shiga Plant has emergency materials and equipment stored and ready for use.

The quality of water in wastewater drains is constantly monitored using special equipment. Any irregularity detected sets off an alarm, and the staff in charge will rush to the scene to fix the problem.

An emergency gate at the pond's outlet is closed in case of a problem with plant wastewater. This prevents the wastewater from flowing into public waterways and thus keeps damage to a minimum.

Oil Fence Operation Drills

Emergency Drills for the Kitchen

Emergency Drills for Oil Leaks

To be prepared in case oil gets into the plant's wastewater drains, drills are held in setting up an oil absorption mat in the pond.

Once a year, the Shiga Plant and the kitchen outsource staff hold drills to be ready for any emergency that occurs during meal preparation.

Once a year, the plant prepares for leaks of oil or other substances on the road with drills in which soil and oil absorption mats are used to prevent these substances from getting into the street gutters.

Joint Emergency Drills

Joint Fire Drills

Emergency Drills for Runoff into Rivers

Once a year, the Shiga Plant joins regional environmental protection associations and government organs in drills that prepare for possible environmental emergencies.

The plant joins in annual fire drills held by the Shiga Prefectural government in which participants practice measures to take in unison with neighboring companies and government organs in case of disasters such as earthquake or fire.

Once a year, drills are held with local government organs to prepare to deal with runoff of oil and other substances into rivers.

Exchanging Opinions with the Local Community

Factory Tours

Summer Festival

Every year, the Shiga Plant works to strengthen relations with the community by inviting neighborhood association officers to learn about the manufacturing and environmental efforts, and to give them a chance to express their opinions and suggestions on the plant's activities.

Every year, local elementary school students and residents are invited to tour the Shiga Plant.

Every July, the Shiga Plant joins with the community as about 7,800 local residents and members of local government and other organizations come to a Noryosai Bon dance festival organized and run by employees.

Participation in Local Events

Cleanups of Local Streets

Environmental Seminars

The Shiga Plant helps raise environmental awareness among the local community by introducing its environmental protection efforts at a range of events.

(Photo) Shiga Plant employees teach children at a Kusatsu City global warming awareness event

Since 1993, employees have taken turns conducting cleanups of local streets three times a year. The Shiga Plant also takes part in a cleanup around Lake Biwa every July 1 sponsored by the prefectural government.

Along with the local government and environmental protection associations, the Shiga Plant holds environmental seminars on its premises. Participants share successful case studies on dealing with environmental problems, recent developments in government laws and regulations, and environmental protection efforts.