8-3. The Intersection of Circular Economy and EHS Practices

The circular economy is attracting attention as a new economic model that realizes a sustainable society by reusing waste as a resource. The shift from the traditional "mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal" model to a circular system is becoming a new source of competitive advantage for companies, in addition to environmental compliance. In this movement, EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) practices play a crucial role, and clarifying their points of contact directly leads to an increase in corporate value.

First, is the enhancement of waste management and resource circulation. The EHS department not only ensures thorough compliance with waste disposal regulations but also gets involved in creating systems for waste reduction and recycling. For example, by establishing mechanisms to utilize byproducts from manufacturing processes as recycled materials and monitoring waste generation, the department can build the foundation to support a circular economy.

Second, is chemical substance management and ensuring safety. As recycling progresses, risk assessment and regulatory compliance for chemical substances contained in recycled materials are essential. EHS personnel must respond to REACH regulations and various national chemical substance laws while building a system for safe use throughout the entire supply chain. This leads to both sustainable resource use and the assurance of safety for employees and local communities.

Third, is reducing environmental impact throughout the entire lifecycle. By promoting eco-design, which considers recyclability and resource conservation from the product design stage, companies can minimize the environmental impact after a product is discarded. The EHS department uses LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to quantify and visualize the environmental impact of products and services and plays a role in proposing improvements.

Fourth, is supporting workplace safety and new ways of working. New work processes and risks can arise in recycling and resource recovery sites, so it is necessary to strengthen safety management systems. The EHS department conducts risk assessments and ensures workplace safety through employee training and the introduction of appropriate protective equipment.

Furthermore, information disclosure to stakeholders is another important point of contact. Investors and customers evaluate companies that are committed to the circular economy, which influences corporate brand and ESG ratings. The EHS department can enhance corporate credibility by clearly presenting indicators such as waste reduction and recycling rates in environmental and sustainability reports.

In this way, the promotion of a circular economy is not just an environmental measure; it is closely related to every area of EHS practice. Through specific tasks such as waste management, chemical substance regulation, workplace safety, and information disclosure, the EHS department is making a significant contribution to realizing a circular society.