Title :
Development of recyclable eco-packaging
Author :
Tanaka, I. ; Tanaka, Isamu ; Seki, Isamu ; Ishihara, Satoshi ; Ishikawa, Sakae ; Matsumoto, Juusei ; Arai, Tomoaki
Author_Institution :
2nd Products Planning & Manage. Dept., Ricoh Co. Ltd., Japan
Abstract :
Ricoh at one time used "ecopackaging" for its copiers sold in Japan. Eco-packaging helps to reduce environmental impact by using only paper products: no wood or expanded polystyrene is used. Eco-packaging, however, is not collected after use. In order to continue toward our goal of reducing waste to zero, it became necessary to change to a new type of packaging called "recyclable eco-packaging." Changing from eco-packaging to recyclable eco-packaging not only demanded the ability to withstand repeated use, but also demanded the following solutions to achieve environmental management: simultaneous environmental conservation and creation of profits: 1. Move from paper to plastic material. 2. Creation of a collection management system. These methods achieved the following results: 1. Reduction in waste. 2. Reduction in distribution costs. These results enabled the achievement of environmental management
Keywords :
packaging; photocopying; recycling; Japan; Ricoh; collection management system; copiers; distribution costs; environmental conservation; environmental management; profits; recyclable eco-packaging; Costs; Environmental management; Joining materials; Logistics; Plastic packaging; Resins; Switches; System buses; Technological innovation; Waste management;
Conference_Titel :
Environmentally Conscious Design and Inverse Manufacturing, 2001. Proceedings EcoDesign 2001: Second International Symposium on
Conference_Location :
Tokyo
Print_ISBN :
0-7695-1266-6
DOI :
10.1109/.2001.992419