Promoting a Recycling–based Society

As part of its efforts to conserve resources and energy as a means of helping create a recycling–based society, Mizuho is giving particular emphasis to paper–the resource that it uses the greatest quantity of–as it promotes resource conservation efforts at each stage, from purchasing through to usage, disposal, and recycling.

Promoting Green Purchasing

At Mizuho, in line with our Environmental Policy and Procurement Policy, we are committed to purchasing environmentally friendly goods and services, and we are promoting "green" purchasing of products centered on such consumables as paper and stationery goods. When procuring such items, Mizuho requests the understanding of suppliers, and, especially for paper, Mizuho is actively working to use recycled paper and paper products made from pulp obtained from forests that are managed properly.

In addition, MHFG and its core group companies have established green purchasing ratio targets for their domestic business facilities.

Initiatives for purchasing environmentally friendly goods and services (PDF/127KB)

Targeted Green Purchasing Ratio for Paper

Green purchasing ratio (for paper) of 85% or more at core group companies

ESG Data Book (Reduction of Environmental Impact) (PDF/1,135KB)

Environmentally Friendly Gifts

Promotional gifts given to customers at branch counters are created while considering environmental friendliness.

The paper used to produce calendars distributed by MHFG and paper bags distributed by MHBK, MHTB, and MHSC are made from wood harvested in forestland certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). MHSC uses environmentally friendly materials in its calendars. In addition, the Mizuho IC Cash Card is made from an environmentally friendly material, PET–G, a non–halogen plastic that has a low environmental impact at disposal.

Initiatives for Waste Reduction and Recycling

Through efforts to reduce its paper usage and other measures, in addition to working to decrease the amount of waste it generates, Mizuho is promoting setting of objectives for separating and recycling waste and is working to reduce waste in general and promote recycling.

Reduction of Paper Use

Targeted Reduction of Paper Use

Reduce 6 group companies'^* paper usage in Japan by 1% compared to the previous fiscal year

^* Mizuho Financial Group, Mizuho Bank, Mizuho Trust & Banking, Mizuho Securities, Mizuho Research & Technologies, and Asset Management One

ESG Data Book (Reduction of Environmental Impact ) (PDF/1,135KB)

Principal Measures to Reduce Paper Usage

Ensuring the use of two–sided printing and reduced–magnification printing
Reappraising requirements for paper forms and shifting to electronic documents
Promoting paperless operations through the introduction of electronic application form systems
Expanding the range of paperless meetings through the introduction of tablet computers
Reducing unnecessary copying by shifting multifunction machines (printing, copying, scanning, facsimiles) from joint use within sections to joint use on floors
Shift reports on entrusted assets and other reports to electronic formats

Promoting Paper Recycling

Mizuho has put in place recycling systems to thoroughly separate paper waste into office automation paper, newsprint, magazines, cardboard, and other categories. In fiscal 2015, Mizuho expanded the scope of recycling management, and set objectives and target recycling ratios.

ESG Data Book (Resources and waste) (PDF/1,135KB)

Reducing Non–combustible Waste and Recycling

Mizuho is working to reduce and recycle non–combustible waste by carefully sorting out cans, glass bottles, and plastic bottles.

With regard to waste disposed of by offices, we will conduct management and disposal according to an industrial waste manifest in line with the Wastes Disposal and Public Cleansing Act and remain in compliance with the law.

ESG Data Book (Resources and waste) (PDF/1,135KB)

Principal Measures for Reducing/Recycling Waste Products

Each company in the Mizuho Group is moving ahead with measures to reduce the volume of waste products it generates and to ensure that those waste products are recycled.

Zero-waste initiatives at the Otemachi Head Office building	In collaboration with Tokyo Tatemono, we aim to improve our recycling rate by enhancing employee awareness of waste separation, reviewing recycling methods, and utilizing new technologies. (MHFG)
Elimination of Plastic Cups and Straws	Mizuho replaced the plastic disposable coffee cups used in the employee cafeteria and coffee shop with paper cups. Straws are no longer automatically provided, but paper or biodegradable straws are available upon request. (MHFG, MHBK)
Paper–Usage Reduction Achieved by Not Issuing Passbooks	Since 2000, Mizuho has been expanding the operations of its Internet branches that do not use physical branch buildings or counters and entail the issuance of passbooks. Not issuing passbooks has enabled a reduction of annual paper usage equivalent to about one million sheets of A4–sized paper. (MHBK)
Reuse/Recycling of Uniforms	In addition to using uniforms tailored from natural fibers or materials created from the recycling of PET bottles, we are using a centralized system for the recovery/management of used uniforms to enable the repeated use of uniforms. In addition, even if reuse is not possible, the items are recycled through heat treatment and thermal recycling is employed (MHBK, MHTB)
Introduction of Environment–Friendly Toner Products	The use of environment–friendly toner products that reduce printing–related waste generation by enabling the refilling of empty toner cartridges has been adopted at all branches throughout Japan. (MHBK)
Reducing/Recycling Waste Oil	Automated edible oil filtering devices have been introduced for use at the cafeterias of principal facilities, and the volume of waste associated with those materials has been reduced by recycling them. (MHFG, MHBK, MHTB)
Conversion of food waste into animal feed	At the Otemachi and Marunouchi head office buildings, which have large employee cafeterias and generate large amounts of food waste, we are converting food waste into animal feed. (MHFG)

Water Conservation

Mizuho is introducing water–saving devices and taking other initiatives that have led to a sustained decrease in water usage.

The MHBK Otemachi Head Office, the Tama Information Center, and the Koto Center use reused wastewater (recycled water), including the cooling tower blow–treated water and rainwater–treated water, used for the cooling tower water supply, the flushing of toilets, etc.