Recycling Resources | Sustainability

The Advantest Group pursues operations encompassing the "3Rs" (reduce, reuse, and recycle) with the aim of realizing a recycling society.

Waste recycle initiatives

The Advantest Group is committed to converting waste into valuables by reinforcing the initiative we launched in FY2009 to separate components. We ensure strict compliance in these activities.

In disposing of waste (including packaging materials) generated in our business activities, we clearly indicate to our outsourcing contractors the disposal method for each classification as per the relevant laws (including local laws and regulations) to ensure proper disposal and recycling by material type.

Trend in waste generated and recycling rate

Data range for tabulation: Advantest Group data

* The amount of waste generated, and the amount of waste recycled in Japan were calculated excluding valuable materials.

* We found, through an inquiry to a waste disposal contractor, that some generated waste which had been allocated to the recycled quantity was not in fact recycled. We have recalculated and restated the past figures accordingly.

* Due to the difficulty of totaling a single overseas office, we excluded it from the calculation of the waste generated and the amount waste recycled from FY2021, and recalculated it retroactively.

Realizing a New Circulation Cycle with the Introduction of a Recycling Equipment

Operating the recycled paper manufacturing machine

Advantest has installed a recycled paper manufacturing machine from 2020, which can produce new paper from used paper such as rejected documents. With this machine, most of the confidential documents to be disposed, which were hitherto collected and sent to a contractor for disposal, will be processed in-house, and given "new life" by being recycled into paper and made use for various purposes, such as business cards.
We also made notebooks using recycled paper and gave them as gifts to local elementary school students who visited our biotope for nature observation events, as well as to special-needs school students and teachers who paid a visit during our company tours. These help in view of our social contributions by providing teaching materials for learning applications.

The equipment is operated by our employees with disabilities. It will also create more opportunities for people with disabilities to play an active role in the company. Once they embark upon their careers and showcasing their active roles as members of the Advantest Group will prove to be a way to repay their alma mater. With the introduction of the new paper manufacturing machines, Advantest has realized a new circulation cycle through various aspects such as environmental commitment, employment of people with disabilities, and educational support.

For more information on employment of the disabled, please refer to "Efforts to Promote Diversity".

Proper Disposal of Waste Plastics and Material Recycling

Advantest has been recycling all waste plastics at business locations in Japan.
At its Gunma Factory, trays and magazines, which are used as parts containers, are disposed of as waste plastics.
Individual employees check the recycling identification mark on each container to sort containers containing PVC.
This allows waste plastics to turn into the main raw material for RPF (Refuse Paper & Plastic Fuel), which is a high-quality solid fuel.
Waste plastics containing PVC are crushed, incinerated, and recycled as molten slag, which is used mainly as roadbed material.

Proper Disposal of Equipment Containing PCB

Advantest owned three capacitors, fluorescent lights, and stabilizers that contained polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), but all pieces of the equipment that contained PCBs were properly disposed of during FY2017.

Effective Use of Water Resources

Advantest's main usage applications of its water resources are the operation of air conditioners, kitchen use, toilet cleaning, and drinking. At our main bases, we use water for industrial use efficiently. In addition to using this water for cleaning the toilets, we also use it with roof-mounted sprinklers to improve cooling in the summer. Advantest is also filtering drinking water and using ultra-pure water at some business establishments. It should be noted that approximately 90% of the discharged water produced by Advantest Group is classed as domestic sewage. Currently, domestic sewage and rain water cannot be recycled.

Advantest's development and manufacturing sites in Japan are located in Gunma Prefecture and Saitama Prefecture and use water resources from the Tonegawa River. In order to protect the Tonegawa River's water resources, we carry out forest protection activities in the national forest in Gunma Prefecture, the source of the river.

Of course, every member of our staff takes care not to waste water, and strives to make effective use of our water resources.

Trend in water usage/discharged water