Sustainability Activities (ESG)
Reducing Waste and Preventing Pollution
Policy on Waste Reduction, Preventing Pollution, and Reducing Use of Resources
Reducing Waste and Preventing Pollution
Policy on Waste Reduction, Preventing Pollution,
and Reducing Use of Resources
The Mitsubishi Estate Group has set a policy creating a sound material-cycle society in the Mitsubishi Estate Group Basic Environmental Policy and strives to reduce, reuse, and recycle at each stage of business, including planning, development, design, construction, management, and dismantlement. The Group also works to reduce waste, pollution, and use of resources by increasing the lifespan of buildings, including the use of existing buildings through renovation.
Moreover, as part of its efforts to “maintain commitment to reducing environmental impact,” one of the themes of “Sustainability of the Mitsubishi Estate Group and Society: Four Key Themes” set out under the Long-Term Management Plan 2030, the Group has set goals for increasing waste recycling rates and reducing emissions, mainly for food and plastic in the management and operation of its properties, and is working in collaboration with tenants and other stakeholders to achieve a material-cycle society.
Goals and Achievement Status
Goals and Achievement Status
In waste reduction, preventing pollution, and reducing use of resources, the Group has set goals for 2030 pursuant to the theme of “maintaining commitment to reducing environmental impact” set out in “Sustainability of the Mitsubishi Estate Group and Society: Four Key Themes.” In concrete terms it has set targets for improving the waste recycling rate to 90% by 2030 and reducing waste emissions by 20% per m² compared to fiscal 2019. The Group is implementing initiatives utilizing Plan Do Check Act (PDCA) with the aim of achieving these goals.
The Group is working to create a sound material-cycle society by taking action in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including both tenant companies and suppliers, as well as urban residents, building visitors and other stakeholders.
See the following for the data on reduction of waste.
Reducing Waste>Recycling Lunch Box Containers as a Community with the Marunouchi Eco-Bento Project
Reducing Waste
Initiatives in Cooperation with Stakeholders and Other Parties
Initiatives at Mitsubishi Estate Headquarters
Under the Long-Term Management Plan 2030, the Mitsubishi Estate Group has set targets of 90% for waste recycling and a 20% reduction in waste disposal (compared to fiscal 2019, per m2). The Group is also aiming to recycle 100% of waste in the Marunouchi area (the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho districts).
To meet these targets, in addition to introducing innovative technologies and revising methods of waste disposal, it is important for each and every one of us to make a conscious effort to reduce and sort waste, ensure appropriate recycling, and improve the recycling rate for resources. Japan's Basic Act on Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society stipulates a user-responsibility approach under which the waste generator bears responsibility for reduction, reuse, and recycle (3Rs). The Mitsubishi Estate Group is committed to collaborating with stakeholder tenants on 3R initiatives in order to work together to pass on a better society to the next generation.
Since February 2021, Mitsubishi Estate has been implementing an initiative to sort waste into 15 categories at its headquarters. In asking tenants to strengthen the sorting of waste, we worked with a manufacturer of fixtures to design and introduce a trash station that can hold 15 separate bins. The specifications will allow the bins to be integrated into a cabinet and, for hygiene considerations, there will be no flaps on the bin openings.
Examples of initiatives aimed at strengthening sorting of waste at Mitsubishi Estate headquarters
- Creating an environment that facilitates sorting of recyclable waste: As most of the waste disposed of as combustibles is actually recyclable, trash stations that allow waste to be sorted into 15 separate bins have been provided in place of trash bins that were dedicated solely for combustibles.
- Promoting recycling of mixed paper: Mixed paper that is not soiled or specially processed, such as envelopes and paper bags, can be recycled into toilet paper, and better sorting is effective for reducing combustible waste in offices. At the trash stations, mixed paper bins have been installed next to the combustible bins to make sorting easy.
- Promoting recycling by sorting PET bottles into three separate bins: Empty PET bottles are sorted into the PET bottle bin, the caps go into a dedicated container, and the labels go into the waste plastic bin.
- Establishing strict rules for sorting and disposing of lunchbox waste: The rules for sorting and disposing of waste in shared office kitchens have been enforced. Empty plastic lunchbox containers go into the waste plastic bin, leftovers go into the food waste bin, and disposable chopsticks and paper napkins go into the combustible bin. Leftover drinks and ice are disposed of in the sink.
See the following for the list of the 15 waste categories. (Sustainability Guide Vol.2)
Initiatives in Collaboration with Tenants and Other Parties
Circular City Marunouchi - An Urban Environment for Resource Recycling
The Mitsubishi Estate Group is working on Circular City Marunouchi, an initiative aimed at 100% waste recycling with a focus on recycling of resources in the Marunouchi area (the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho districts). We will continue to promote environmentally-friendly urban development in collaboration with diverse stakeholders, including both the employees of tenants as well as visitors to the area.
Step 1: The “Marunouchi to Go Project”
This is a project conducted in cooperation with restaurants in the Marunouchi area to distribute containers (to go boxes) and paper bags free-of-charge to enable takeaways of leftovers, which will lead to reductions in food loss. The paper bags are made from 100% recycled cardboard from offices in the Marunouchi area, and the containers are eco-friendly, being made from bagasse (strained lees from sugarcane).
Step 2: The Bottle to Bottle Recycle Circulation Program
A project working with Suntory Beverage & Food Limited and Coca Cola Bottlers Japan Inc. to collect plastic bottles discarded in 24 office buildings in the area and recycle them into new plastic bottles. By recycling approximately 600 tons of plastic bottles annually, it is calculated that CO2 emissions throughout the value chain can be reduced 60% compared to the manufacture of raw materials sourced from petroleum.
Step 3: Recycling of Waste Cooking Oil
The Mitsubishi Estate Group is taking part in a business to recycle waste cooking oil used in restaurants in the Marunouchi area into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), which is the first of its kind for a comprehensive real estate company.*1 SAF is a sustainable fuel with non-fossil fuel feedstock. If 100% of the feedstock were to be waste cooking oil, CO2 emissions throughout the value chain would be reduced by approximately 80% compared with conventional aviation fuel. The Group also started recycling of waste cooking oil into biodiesel fuel in March 2023. The biodiesel is used to fuel the trucks that collect the waste cooking oil. In the future, together with the use of SAF, Mitsubishi Estate will further develop programs for circular utilization of fuel in the Marunouchi area.
Step 4: Applying the Concept of Zero Waste Town Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture to Resource Recycling
In the Tokiwabashi area, where the TOKYO TORCH district is located, Mitsubishi Estate is promoting sustainable urban development that balances environmental considerations and economic activity by partnering with Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture, which promotes resource recycling initiatives under a “zero waste” concept.
Example of Initiatives: Craft Beer Made by Using Liquid Fertilizer
At Tokiwabashi Tower (completed in 2021), which is located in the TOKYO TORCH district, composting equipment installed in the building converts food waste from the facility into liquid fertilizer. Spec Laboratory Inc.*2 and Mitsubishi Estate worked together to produce collaboration beer Town Craft — Beer for the Future of the City, which is made from rice grown using the liquid fertilizer. Sales of the Town Craft beer launched in May 2024.
- Research by Mitsubishi Estate
- Spec Laboratory Inc. (RISE & WIN Brewing Co.) is a brewery based in Kamikatsu, Tokushima Prefecture. The brewery makes beer while engaging in reduce, reuse, recycle initiatives with the aim of producing beer that is unique to the town of Kamikatsu. At present, the brewery is pursuing initiatives to turn by-products generated in the brewing process into fertilizer to be used to cultivate barley for producing beer in a circular manner. At the same time, the brewery also works to create places where people can experience the town’s appeal and zero-waste concept by operating a restaurant and accommodation facilities.
Initiative for Weighing the Waste of Retail Tenants
The Mitsubishi Estate Group believes that the cooperation of stakeholders, including tenants, in addition to the Group itself, is essential in achieving waste recycling rate and reducing waste disposal targets set under the Long-Term Management Plan 2030, as well as the targets for the Marunouchi area (the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho districts), and a waste recycling rate of 100%. As part of our collaboration with stakeholders, we weigh the waste of each retail tenant in buildings, starting with the Marunouchi Building in fiscal 2020, followed by the Shin-Marunouchi Building and the Marunouchi Park Building. We have been working with tenants to ensure thorough sorting of waste by assigning staff to support sorting, preparing manuals and videos, and raising awareness. As a result, the recycling rate for food waste increased. In the future, we will continue to increase the number of buildings taking part in the initiative while also renewing waste processing rooms and in-building garbage bins and reviewing their operation.
Going forward we will continue to promote environmentally-friendly urban development by striving to increase the recycling rate and reduce the volume of waste disposal with the understanding and cooperation of tenants to achieve a sound material-cycle society.
GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS® food residue from restaurants used as recycled compost for in-mall greening
In September 2021, GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS® began a food recycling initiative contributing to the formation of a recycling-oriented society. Producing recycled compost from food residue generated within the mall reduces waste and enables such residue to be used as recycled food resources on the premises. Thus far, we have created three compost heaps within the mall from food residue generated by eight participating restaurants. This food residue is collected, biodegraded by microorganisms, and composted at a recycling center. The Company uses the recycled compost as a planting compost for mall-greening efforts, including at the Flower Terrace in GOTEMBA PREMIUM OUTLETS®.
Ecofurni, a Collection and Sales Service for Used Office Furniture
Mitsubishi Estate launched in March 2022 full-scale operation of Ecofurni, a service for collection and sale of used office furniture. Under this initiative, office furniture that is no longer needed due to office layout changes, etc., is collected from companies, inspected and cleaned in a directly-managed showroom-cum-warehouse, where it is displayed for sale as used furniture. The company is working to expand this business, including the opening of the second showroom in Ikebukuro this spring. This initiative originated from the in-house new business proposal program and was implemented on a trial basis in the summer 2021, which was well received, leading to full-scale operation.
The used furniture at Ecofurni is also used in furnished offices where furniture is leased together with the office and subscription services for furniture and appliances. Products that have still not been shipped after a certain period of time are reused and recycled as much as possible rather than being treated as industrial waste. We will continue to focus on this environmental recycling-oriented business model that can contribute to both providing services to support flexible workstyles and realizing a sustainable society.
Examples of furnished offices using used furniture from Ecofurni
Initiatives to Reduce Waste in the Detached Housing Business
Initiatives to Reduce Waste in the Detached Housing Business
In June 2022, Mitsubishi Estate Home established the CO2 Emissions Reduction Strategy to accelerate the realization of a decarbonized society, setting out the selection of construction methods that reduce waste and materials that are easy to recycle as one of its strategies. Specifically, the company will aim to reduce onsite waste by promoting pre-cutting of structural, insulation, and construction materials (interior and exterior) during construction, optimization of order volumes, and improvement of construction methods. In addition to the measures taken during construction, the company also aims to reduce the frequency of repairs through the use of more durable exterior and other materials leading to a reduction in waste from repairs and demolition.
Initiatives to Reduce Food Loss at Yokohama Royal Park Hotel
In 2019, Yokohama Royal Park Hotel launched the SDGs Committee, which has conducted staff awareness surveys and other activities. In July 2021, it also established an organization chaired by the hotel’s general manager to further raise the awareness of staff and implement initiatives that will contribute to achievement of the SDGs.
The hotel is working in partnership with the customers who dine at its restaurants and hold functions there, as well as suppliers, on initiatives to reduce the amount of edible food that is discarded (food loss).
Examples of initiatives
- Measuring and identifying the amount of buffet food discarded for each food ingredient, optimizing the replenishment of food
- Making effective use of vegetable scraps in broth and bouillon
Yokohama Royal Park Hotel is contributing to the achievement of a sustainable society through various other initiatives including introduction of biodegradable straws in all its restaurants and bars, sale of bouquets made with flowers previously used at the hotel, and treatment of miscellaneous and kitchen wastewater used in the building for use as water for flushing toilets. As a result of these initiatives, in May 2022, the hotel was recognized and registered as a Kanagawa SDGs Partner and, in July 2022, obtained the top-ranking Supreme certification in the Y-SDGs, the SDGs certification system established by Yokohama City.
Making effective use of vegetable scraps
Y-SDGs Supreme obtained in July 2022
Initiatives for Effective Use of Building Stock> Effectively Using Building Stock with Building Renovation Business
Initiatives for Effective Use of Building Stock
Effectively Using Building Stock in Cities in Japan and Overseas with Building Renovation Business
See the following for more details.
Effectively Using Building Stock with Condominium Renovation Business
Mitsubishi Estate Residence entered the Renovation Business in 2013, offering customers another option that goes beyond new construction by utilizing its know-how as developer involved in newly-built condominiums for sale and its high-quality condominium stock.
Renovation is also environmentally friendly with less environmental impact and CO2 emissions than demolition and new construction.
Condominium units that achieve the requirements for ZEH Standard Energy Saving Housing or Energy Saving Standard Compliant Housing through adoption of high-efficiency equipment or enhancement of insulation are issued with an Energy Conservation Residence Performance Certificate after calculation of energy performance and acquisition of BELS certification, a third-party evaluation. Customers who are the purchasers are eligible to receive preferential home loan tax deductions if certain conditions are fulfilled.
Customers are also issued with an Energy Conservation Performance Report,* which contains energy-performance figures and details on loan deductions in an easy-to-understand format. Going forward, the company will increase the proportion of ZEH Standard Energy Saving Housing or Energy Saving Standard Compliant Housing it supplies in the Renovation Business in its efforts to realize a sustainable society through the revitalization of the housing market and the effective utilization of existing building stock.
- Some properties are not covered by an Energy Conservation Performance Report.
An Energy Conservation Performance Report
Preventing Pollution
Preventing Pollution
Managing Hazardous Substances
The Mitsubishi Estate Group manages and disposes of hazardous substances appropriately in accordance with relevant laws and regulations. The Group carries out disposal and procedures appropriately in accordance with laws and regulations regarding the fluorocarbon refrigerants in air conditioners and PCBs used in electrical equipment and manage them rigorously to prevent leakage and release. The Group also conducts timely surveys to identify the presence of asbestos and soil contamination and implements the appropriate countermeasures and management according to the situation.
Preventing Water Pollution
Preventing Water Pollution
The restaurants and similar establishments above a certain size located in facilities managed and operated by the Mitsubishi Estate Group are subject to regulation by laws and ordinances related to water pollution. At facilities that are subject to the regulations, the Group has installed wastewater treatment facilities, and wastewater is treated to meet standards before being released into sewers and public waterways such as rivers and the sea.
Preventing Soil Pollution Around Condominiums
Preventing Soil Pollution Around Condominiums
Mitsubishi Estate Residence conducts soil pollution studies prior to acquiring property for development, and we enact soil pollution prevention measures and remedies as needed.
The employee in charge uses a property acquisition checklist to review the property, and a further review of that information is carried out by a dedicated surveying company. The acquisition of property comes with the obligation to attach and submit the dedicated surveying company's survey report, and after making an acquisition decision, we are obligated to have a dedicated surveying company conduct a detailed survey (history survey) regardless of whether there is any danger posed by pollution. For the land sales contract, we clarify the duties and responsibilities of the land's seller with regard to pollution, and we implement whatever measures are necessary.
Assisting Customers During Condominium Site Acquisition
