Resource Recycling Initiatives

The rise in populations and economic growth in emerging markets is leading to a rise in the consumption of minerals, fossil fuels and other resources.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS is working to use fewer resources and use them more effectively in manufacturing process, so that we can add more value to vehicles. This believe underpins our belief that effective resource use is an important priority. The Environmental Plan Package positions resource recycling as an environmental issue to engage in directly, and we are contributing to a resource-recycling-oriented society by minimizing input resources and maximizing resource efficiency.

Countries and industry groups are formulating various initiatives in order to promote automobile recycling and correct processing. In response, we set targets to improve the ease of recycling, reduce the use of lead, and introduce recycled parts for new vehicles when the “MITSUBISHI MOTORS Recycling Initiative” was established in 1998. We have continued to engage in this initiative.

Under vehicle recycling legislation in Japan, Europe, China, and other countries, automobile manufacturers are obligated to consider recycling when developing products.

We conduct design and development that actively incorporates not just recycling, but all aspects of the 3Rs including reduction and reuse. We have implemented the 3Rs in the stage starting with conceptual design in accordance with our unique “Recycling Plan Guidelines.”

With regard to wires and harnesses, and motors, we have improved detachability and ease of recycling in accordance with the “Harness Design Guidelines.” We are also promoting the increased use in other parts of recycled materials and non-fossil- based plastic used in vehicles, such as biomass plastics. Recycled materials such as clothing are used for silencer parts such as dashboards, and biomass plastics are used for interior parts such as steering wheel garnishes.

At dealers, bumpers recovered or replaced during repairs are recycled for battery trays and other exterior parts.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS encourages the recycling of endof-life vehicles to reduce the environmental impact of waste from these vehicles. In Japan, the European Union (EU) and other regions, we promote recycling in accordance with the automobile recycling laws of each country. We comply carefully with the evolving automobile recycling laws that are being introduced in emerging countries in Asia.

The Environmental Targets 2030 identify the reuse of batteries used in electrified vehicles as one item to be addressed. From the perspective of conserving resources, we are undertaking initiatives to utilize used batteries.

Used electrified vehicle batteries retain sufficient storage capacity to make them useful for other applications, so from the perspective of conserving resources we are working to effectively reuse electrified vehicle batteries. To ensure these batteries can be effectively used for storage, we are conducting verification using a large-scale rooftop solar power system at the Okazaki Plant and built a power storage system that employs used batteries from the “OUTLANDER PHEV” (previous model).

In addition, we have begun a joint demonstration project with Hitachi, Ltd. of the Battery Cube^*2, a movable storage battery that utilizes used batteries from electrified vehicles. In this demonstration, used batteries from our “OUTLANDER PHEV” (previous model) will be installed in the Battery Cube to verify its practicality in the event of a power outage caused by a wide-area disaster.

In January 2023, we installed equipment for the demonstration of two concepts employing used batteries in conjunction with quick chargers and bidirectional chargers at the Okazaki Plant, and we have begun the demonstration. Going forward, we will work with energy storage equipment manufacturers to introduce these systems at Group’s sales companies’ dealers and in other locations. (See P35 for details.)

In addition, with MIRAI-LABO Co., Ltd., we have begun the development of autonomous street lighting by reusing batteries from electrified vehicles. Our autonomous street lighting systems store solar power generated during the day in used electrified vehicle batteries, using that power to illuminate LED lights at night. From FY2022 to FY2023, we installed a total of 24 autonomous street lighting systems and conducted demonstration projects at the Okazaki Plant, the Mizushima Plant, the Kyoto Plant, and the Tokachi Research and Development Center, and we hope to begin commercial sales in FY2024.

In Japan, Europe and North America, we have begun creating a system for collecting used batteries. The aim is to develop recycling technologies for and properly dispose of batteries for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles.

Since the End-of-Life Vehicle Recycling Law was enacted in Japan in 2005, we have been accepting used automobile shredder residue (ASR^*3), airbags, and fluorocarbons for recycling.

Regarding ASR recycling, we participate in ART^*4 in order to jointly process ASR. As a result of the creation of new processing facilities and other measures, the ASR recycling rate in FY2023 was 96.5%, substantially above the statutory standard of 70% in effect since 2015. We will continue to develop new recycling facilities to ensure the stable processing of ASR.

We outsource the treatment of airbags and fluorocarbons to the Japan Auto Recycling Partnership (JARP).

In FY2023, our effective recycling rate for end-oflife vehicles^*5 exceeded 99%, surpassing the government’s stipulated effective recycling rate of 95%.

In the EU, in accordance with the End-of-Life Vehicles Directive^*6 established in 2000, automobile manufacturers or importers must accept and recycle end-oflife vehicles.

MITSUBISHI MOTORS built a system of acceptance and recycling in line with the actual situation of EU member countries centering on our European subsidiary Mitsubishi Motors Europe B.V. (MME).

In the EU, automobile manufacturers must provide dismantling information for new model vehicles to treatment operators. We provide such information on a timely basis by using the International Dismantling Information System (IDIS) jointly developed by automobile manufacturers.

In the EU, satisfying the minimum 95% recyclability rate is a requirement for type approval of vehicle models, and we established a system that satisfies the requirements of this directive. Our vehicles sold in the EU meet the requirements of the directive under this system.

In FY2023, our volume of industrial waste from products using plastic was 1,796 tons, and the recycling rate was 97%^*7.

We will continue to actively engage in the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) of waste plastic.

With regard to waste generated by our business activities, to achieve the goal set in Environmental Targets 2030 of “zero direct landfill waste (less than 0.5%),” we are working to reduce waste generated in external and reuse resources. In FY2023, our management target companies achieved zero direct landfill waste (less than 0.5%).