Environmental Pollution and Resources
- Approach to Environmental Pollution and Resource Conservation
- Pollution Prevention Efforts
- Waste Reduction Efforts
- Resource Conservation Efforts
Approach to Environmental Pollution and Resource Conservation
In addition to complying with all applicable laws and regulations regarding environmental pollution and taking appropriate measures, the Tosei Group Environmental Policy stipulates that the Group will strive to prevent environmental pollution, promote resource conservation such as reducing, reusing and recycling, and promote efforts to reduce environmental impact and create a material-cycle society.
Pollution Prevention Efforts
Risk Management
When considering the acquisition of land or buildings, a "Real Estate Purchase Check Sheet" is completed and reviewed for all projects as part of the property purchase due diligence flow. We conduct a geo-historical survey of the property to be acquired and, if necessary, a soil contamination survey. In addition, depending on the age and structure of the property, we conduct asbestos inspections and other hazardous material inspections to ensure risk management against contamination.
Soil Contamination Countermeasures
As part of the property purchase due diligence, further contamination investigations are conducted according to the results of the geo-historical survey. If the results confirm contamination by hazardous substances, development activities are conducted after appropriate soil improvement and spread prevention measures are taken by a designated contaminated soil treatment company in accordance with the Soil Contamination Countermeasures Act.
Hazardous Materials Treatment
When acquiring an existing property and demolishing or renovating it, we conduct a thorough preliminary confirmation with the demolition or renovation contractor in order to comply with relevant laws and regulations, including asbestos surveys, and take appropriate measures to prevent the dispersal of harmful substances such as asbestos and chlorofluorocarbons. In the event that treatment or management of specially controlled industrial waste becomes necessary at any of our buildings, we will dispose of them appropriately in accordance with laws and regulations. In the development of our buildings, we use building materials that meet JIS and JAS standards for low emission of formaldehyde, a substance that causes sick building syndrome, in an effort to provide safe and secure housing.
| FY2020 | FY2021 | FY2022 | FY2023 | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Specially Controlled Industrial Waste | PCB Waste(t) | 0.76 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Waste Reduction Efforts
Waste Reduction Targets and Results
The following reduction targets have been set for waste reduction. The base year is set for 2018, and the long-term target is set until 2023.
| Waste Discharge Reduction Targets | |
|---|---|
| Long-term target | Reduce waste discharge intensity by 2.5% in five years |
| Short-term target | Reduce waste discharge intensity by 0.5% in one year |
| Target Properties |
Fixed assets owned by the Company (*) |
- *Tosei's head office buildings
Collection and donation of plastic bottle caps through the NPO Ecocap Promotion Association
We collect plastic bottle caps and through a NPO,the Ecocap Promotion Association, convert them into recycled plastic material and donate them to various social contribution activities such as medical assistance, support for people with disabilities, and environmental education for children.
Waste Reduction and Separation
Efforts through Tenant Communication
We conduct periodic surveys of tenants in our properties regarding building management and operation systems, facilities, etc. to understand their needs. In terms of waste reduction, separation, and recycling, we have been taking various measures, such as putting up posters encouraging cooperation in separation and recycling, installing trash cans for separation, and posting information on how to dispose of, separate, and recycle trash at trash disposal sites.
Resource Conservation Efforts
Water Resource Conservation
In promoting efforts to conserve water resources, the following reduction targets have been set. The base year is set as 2018, and the long-term target is set until 2023.
| Water Use Reduction Targets | |
|---|---|
| Long-term target | Reduce water use intensity by 2.5% in five years |
| Short-term target | Reduce water use intensity by 0.5% in one year |
| Target Properties |
Fixed assets owned by the Company |
Business Activities in Water Stressed Areas
Environment-related Violations and Fines
Efforts through the Real Estate Revitalization Business
In our real estate revitalization business, existing buildings are utilized to enhance their value, which has less impact on the environment and conserves resources compared to rebuilding. In order to make the most of the individuality of a wide variety of existing properties and further enhance their attractiveness, we consider a revitalization menu with "Security," "Design" and "Ecofriendly" as important guidelines, providing optimal value for owners and tenants.
Utilization of Idle Company Housing
In recent years, company housing has been increasingly decommissioned and left vacant as companies reassess their assets, contributing to the growing problem of vacant housing in cities. We are working to supply new rental housing to the market while making effective use of the existing buildings by purchasing unused company housing and enhancing the value of the property.
Example 1: T-Rhythmic SOKA
This property was built as a company dormitory and had been vacant. In addition to soundproofing all of the studio units, a lounge for concerts and a storage room were newly built, and the property was revitalized as a rental apartment for music lovers.
Example 2: T's garden Kitakashiwa
This large property was once developed as a corporate housing for families, which was transformed into a rental apartment with three new common facilities: a study room, kids' room, and party room, which are as extensive as those in condominiums.
Example 3: ARDEN Fujigaoka
A former company dormitory was extensively renovated and revitalized as a share house. Existing space was effectively utilized by converting an unneeded shared bathroom into a lounge and renovating the hot water supply room into a shower room.
Example 4: T's garden Nishiterao
The company housing, which had become vacant and nearly abandoned, was acquired, and three themes were established: "green conservation," "disaster prevention and crime prevention," and "energy and resource conservation. The company aims to contribute to "SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals)" by upgrading the value of the property with facilities and specifications in line with the themes.
Example 5: T's eco Kawasaki
The condominium was revitalized as a rental condominium with the theme of promoting ecology throughout the entire condominium, with the installation of LED lighting and other energy-saving equipment in both common and private areas, as well as our first solar panels on the rooftop.
Adoption of New Eco-friendly Materials for Employees' Business Cards
The Group changed the material of business cards used by the Group's employees to LIMEX. This material is eco-friendly because almost no water or trees are used. The Group aims to reduce the amount of paper used and raise environmental awareness among employees by replacing business cards, the use of which reaches 500 pieces per person every year, with those made of eco-friendly materials.