In countries all over the world, social structures hitherto centered on mass production, mass consumption and mass disposal are coming under scrutiny and there is a progressive shift toward recycling-oriented societies. At the core of recycling is the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) concept. Pioneer promote 3Rs aggressive by using recycle material etc.
Recycling of used whiskey barrels
Pure Malt speakers were developed in collaboration with brewing and distilling company Suntory Holdings Limited, which was seeking a way to recycle casks (made from virgin white oak) that were being used for fuels and other purposes after fulfilling their mission of aging whisky. Oak trees grow for 100 years before serving as whisky casks for another 50 to 70 years. After that, the wood is recycled into speaker cabinets that produce warm, rich sounds for many more years. As well as speakers, Pioneer also uses retired casks for making audio racks and other products, expanding the Pure Malt series lineup and promoting recycling of natural materials.
This series launched sales in 1998, later to win numerous and prestigious environmental awards in becoming the leading product in Pioneer's recycling efforts.
In the "Resource Recycling Technology & System Awards" presented by the Clean Japan Center and supported by the METI (Ministry of Economy,Trade and Industry), the Pure Malt speaker series won the "Clean Japan Center Chairman’s Award" in 2005, and the "METI Industrial Technology & Environment Bureau Director General’s Award" in 2009. In the same year of 2009 as commendation of meritorious action in the "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Promotions" program, the same series received the "Chairman’s Award of the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Promotions Council."
Main environment-friendly factors
Green Fund symbol- Using old casks for cabinets and ducts contributes to the recycling and reduced use of natural resources
- Low VOCs (volatile organic compounds) content
- Replacement of styrene foam packaging material with recyclable pulp molded material
- Use of lead-free solder
- A portion of revenue from product sales is donated to the Green Fund of the National Land Afforestation Promotion Organization as a contribution to government-led promotion of afforestation
Data on sounds produced when beating cask material
Experiment results indicate that casks used to age whisky have less resonance (eigentone) and produce a softer and more natural sound quality. These recycled casks can be said to serve a dual purpose: being environmentally friendly and having a positive effect on sound quality.
Recycling of batteries
Compact rechargeable batteries are used in such Pioneer products as cordless telephones and Air navi (GPS Navigation products). These rechargeable batteries employ various precious metals including nickel (Ni) and cobalt (Co). The recovery and reuse of these previous metals helps to conserve limited resources. Guided by Japan’s Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, Pioneer is a member company of the Japan Portable Rechargeable Battery Recycling Center (JBRC) and a proactive participant in the recycling of products and materials. Accordingly, the company is actively involved in the collection and recycling of used compact rechargeable batteries.
Battery Collection Activities in Brazil
The battery collection box which the overseas subsidiary of Brazil designed uniquely.At the local subsidiary office (Pioneer do Brasil Ltda.), collection boxes were uniquely created for collecting used (recyclable) batteries, installed at the service agent’s reception counters (approximately 200) variously located in Brazil. The collected batteries are processed in accordance to the applicable battery regulation in the country.
Complying with Japan’s Act on the Promotion of Sorted Garbage Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging (Containers/Packaging Recycling Act)
Japan’s Act on the Promotion of Sorted Garbage Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging (Containers/Packaging Recycling Act) was promulgated in April 2000 in an effort to promote the reduction and recycling of household container and packaging waste. As a corporation covered by the Act, Pioneer estimates the amount of projected paper and plastic container and packaging waste used in Japan, concludes a recycling consignment contract each year with the Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association, and assumes the burden of recycling costs. The Company is also promoting wherever possible resource conservation with respect to its packaging with the aim of minimizing the amount of container and packaging waste.
