ARE Holdings Group contributes to protecting the earth’s natural resources through precious metals recycling and environment preservation. However, at the same time, we consume resources and energy.
Guided by our Environmental Policy to help minimize the environmental impact, we follow environment-conscious operations where an optimal balance can be achieved between limiting the environmental impact and generating economic value.
Environmental Policies
ARE Holdings Group will contribute to environmental preservation and establish a sound material cycle throughout the Company’s businesses of recycling precious and rare metals as well as treating industrial waste.
- In all our business activities, we will strive to conserve resources and energy while reducing, reusing, and recycling waste to minimize our environmental burden.
- We will promote the recycling of precious and rare metal resources to more effectively use the limited resources of the earth.
- We will effectively and safely collect, transport, and treat industrial waste to help prevent environmental pollution.
- We value harmony with nature and coexistence with local communities, and follow all environmental laws, regulations, and other requirements.
- We will establish environmental objectives and targets, while periodically reviewing them to continue improving our operations.
We will educate all our employees and increase their environmental awareness as members of the community, promote their understanding of environmental preservation, and participate in these activities.
Environmental Management Promotion System
We are actively pursuing ISO 14001 certification, the international standard for environmental management, aiming to reduce our environmental impact globally. Each year, we establish company-wide environmental goals aligned with our Environmental Policy. At ISO 14001-certified sites in Japan, we also develop site-specific annual environmental goals. Each site appoints an environmental preservation administrator and establishes an environment committee. These committees ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, revise plans, and enhance environmental education. All such activities are reported to management. Additionally, we ensure full application of our Environmental Management System (EMS) across all sites.
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Environmental management structure at ISO 14001 integrated certification sites
ISO 14001 Certification
Certification overview
In August 2018, we acquired ISO 14001 certification for our sites in Japan, including at subsidiaries. As of August 2024, we have been certified at 21 sites in two companies. Going forward, we will continue to focus on maintenance and improvements with an emphasis on extending certification to all sites.
ISO 14001 environmental audits
For ISO 14001, an external consultant carries out regular inspections on the state of compliance. Moreover, internal environmental audits are conducted at least once a year at business sites to ensure that environmental management systems are being managed effectively.
Reducing the Environmental Impact
Promoting green purchasing
The Group strives to help resolve serious environmental issues. This includes climate change caused by emissions from mass production, consumption, and disposal. To help build a sustainable society and protect the global environment, we have established guidelines for green purchasing that comply with Japan’s Act on Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (Green Purchasing Law), which encourages using products and services that help reduce impact on the environment.
Recommended products
- Products contributing to forest protection approved by the Program for the Endorsement of Forest Certification
- Products that are certified by the Japan Environmental Association for their low environmental impact and usefulness for environmental conservation
- Products that meet the criteria for specific procured products under the Green Purchasing Law
- Products listed as eco-friendly by the Green Purchasing Network
Going forward, the Group will continue to vigorously follow green purchasing. We will carefully conserve limited resources and reduce waste, helping to build a recycling-oriented economic system.
Contributing to biodiversity
Since launching our service for detoxifying liquid waste in the 1970s, the Group has dedicated over 50 years to environmental conservation. By effectively handling industrial waste, we contribute to preserving ecosystems, aquatic environments, and the oceans. We are aware that it is crucial to stop and reverse the loss of natural habitats, deliver outcomes that are beneficial to nature, and mitigate and manage natural risks for conserving biodiversity. We also believe that producing precious metals through recycling significantly contributes to biodiversity.
Water stress
In our business operations, the Group is dedicated to reducing our environmental footprint by continuing to cut back on water use and to become more efficient. While we recognize the importance of managing stress on water resources alongside the efficient use of these resources, none of our business sites—in Japan and overseas—are in areas categorized by WRI Aqueduct as being at high risk or above. We have concluded that none of our business sites are exposed to water stress.