Minolta Environmental Report 2001

The essentials of imaging

www.minolta.com

1

Com

pany

Prof

ile

CCoommppaannyy PPrrooffiillee (consolidated base)

Head office 3-13 Azuchi-machi 2-chome, Chuo-ku,Osaka 541-8556, JapanTel: (81)6-6271-2251

Established November 1928Paid-in Capital ¥25.8 billion (as of March 31, 2001)

Major businesses Manufacture, sales and service of image information product, optical product, digital photography products, optical systems, radiometric instruments, planetariums, other.

Change of organization scale Minolta affiliate MYG Disk Corporation acquired glass substrate business of Mitsui Mining & Smelting Precision Co.,Ltd. (November 2000).MINOLTA-QMS, Inc. became a wholly owned subsidiary (November 2000).Formed a joint venture company for polymer toner manufacturing Konica-Minolta Supplies, Ltd., together with Konica Corp. (December 2000)

EEddiittoorriiaall ppoolliiccyy●Scope of application

The scope of application of this report includes Minolta Co., Ltd., our 11 domestic affiliates, and our 9 overseas affiliates. For details, see the overview of facilities and affiliates on page 30.●Applicable fields / devised points

Applicable fields are environmental management, products, facilities and communication. A related page is added to the table indicating achievement of annual targets. Details concerning facilities are on our Web site.

●Applicable termThe report covers achievements of fiscal 2000 (April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001) and future outlook (some overseas affiliates, January 1 to December

31, 2000).

●Reference guidelinesThe report was prepared in accordance with "Environmental Report Guidelines (2000 version)" issued by the Ministry of the Environment in February

2001, and "GRI Guidelines" issued by GRI in June 2000.

●Additional items to this year's version・Topics for fiscal 2000 ・Activities to reduce in use of specified chemical substances contained in products・Activities to reduce energy consumed by distribution ・Activities concerning manuals packaged with products・Products that contribute to the environment ・Opinions concerning our environmental preservation activities

●Next scheduled publicationsAugust 2002 (each year in August)

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

5000

6000

20001999

ConsolidatedNon-consolidated

1998199719961995 0

50

100

150

200

200019991998199719961995

Other 2%

Domestic other 1%

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

25000

200019991998199719961995

◆Net sales (Unit: ¥100M) ◆Recurring income (Unit: ¥100M)

◆Sales breakdown by geographic region in fiscal 2000 ◆Number of employees (unit: people)

¥464.3billion

North America28％

Europe26％

Misc9％

ConsolidatedNon-consolidated

ConsolidatedNon-consolidated �

Domestic imageinformation product 13%

Europe 6%

Overseas opticalproduct 14％

Overseas other 2%

Domestic optical product 7%

North America 6％　

Overseas image information product

63％

2

Message

fromthe

President

MMeessssaaggee ffrroomm tthhee PPrreessiiddeenntt

We, Minolta Co., Ltd., have been progressivelyglobalizing our operations since very early in ourhistory. We began exporting our products from Japanin the 1950s. In 1973, we initiated overseasproduction, rapidly developing a global system forour business. This testifies to our belief that a globallyharmonized approach to environmental preservationis equal in importance to maintaining close contactwith local communities on this issue.Demonstrating our commitment in this area, we

adopted the Minolta Environmental Charter in 1992and have since systematically promoted andimplemented the principles of the charter company-wide. In April 1999, we introduced the MinoltaMedium-Term Environmental Plan, which embodiesa number of important policies focused on theenvironment.In the spring of 2001, in response to changing

circumstances, we adopted the Revised Medium-TermEnvironmental Plan, which further strengthens theactivities of the Minolta Group. This is just furtherevidence of our accelerated movements in this area.One of our major achievements in fiscal 2000 was

the full-scale introduction of our green procurementpolicy, through which we give priority to the purchaseof environmentally conscious materials. This policy isrequired in order to reduce the environmental loadthroughout the company. This policy has beenapplied to all our corporate activities and products,and extends even to our suppliers. Sinceimplementing this policy, we have succeeded inobtaining the cooperation of about 400 suppliers ofimage information products. As well, we have begunapplying this policy to the procurement of some22,000 parts and materials. During fiscal 2001, weexpanded the scope of the policy to encompass allproducts manufactured by Minolta Group companiesworldwide.

In fiscal 2000, in an effort to enhance Minolta's environmental management system, we achieved ourobjective of obtaining certification of ISO 14001compliance at all facilities of the parent company inJapan. In addition, as introduced in thisenvironmental report, we have been working toimplement several initiatives, such as recycling ourproducts; publicizing environmental labeling;achieving zero waste disposal; and promoting goodcommunication with society. We intend to pursuethis initiative with even greater commitment.

We plan to issue the Minolta Environmental Reportregularly in the future.

As we go forward, we will remain committed to day-to-day efforts to reduce Minolta's environmental load.This objective has become a key focus of all groupemployees, not only in the provision of products andservices, but in every aspect of our corporateoperations, and represents an important part of ourcontribution to society.

June 2001

President & Representative Director

Yoshikatsu Ota

◆Use of Recyclable Resources………………………

◆Reduction of Specified Chemical Substances………

◆Energy Savings……………………………………

◆Product Assessment………………………………

◆Environmental Technology Development……………

◆Environmental Labeling……………………………

◆Products that Contribute to the Environment………

BusinessActivities

EnvironmentalManagement

Communication

Products

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Min

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Minolta's Social Contribution through Environmental Preservation

◆Environmental Accounting…………………………

◆Environmental Management System………………

◆Environmental Education…………………………

◆Environmental Risk Management…………………

◆Green Procurement and Green Purchasing…………

◆Information Disclosure……………………………

◆Cooperating with Communities……………………

Waste disposalissues

Global warming

Recycling / wastedisposal

Facility-Related Initiatives

Communication

◆Reduction of Waste………………………………

◆Chemicals Management……………………………

◆Energy Savings……………………………………

■Company Profile……………………………………

■Message from the President………………………

■Minolta's Social Contribution through

Environmental Preservation…………………………

■Topics 2000………………………………………

■Environmental Principles and Advancement System……

■Medium-TermEnvironmental Plan and its Progress……

Contents

■Overview of Facilities and Affiliates……………… 30

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Product-Related Initiatives

Environmental Management Initiatives

We have constructed a system ofrecovering used copiers, tonercartridges and toner bottles. Wehave had success in recycling theused products.

Minolta's Social Contribution through Environmental Preservation

The Minolta Group intents to realize a harmonious coexistence with society throughcommunication. Based on environmental management promoted by the entire group,Minolta is working to reduce impact of our products and business activities on theenvironment at all stages of the product life cycle.

Soil pollution

Water pollution

Resource depletion

Air pollution

Noise and vibration

Ozone layer depletion

Research & Development

Product use

4

Manufacturing

Distribution

Minolta's

SocialContributionthrough

EnvironmentalPreservation

In order to reduce the impact on theenvironment at all stages of theproduct life cycle, we conductresearch of environmentpreservation technologies andenvironment-conscious products,and carry out product assessment.

Minolta is actively involved inreducing the impact of manufacturingon the environment from the threeaspects of reduction of waste,reduction in use of specified chemicalsubstances used in products, andenergy conservation.

Minolta is improving ourdistribution system to reduce theamount of energy needed fordistribution. We are alsoattempting to conserve resourcesby minimizing the amount ofpackaging used for products.

Along with providing energy-saving, resource-conservingproducts, we disclose productinformation concerningenvironmental impact to the public.

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Topi

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As a result of constructing an environmentalmanagement system at all our domestic facilities,Minolta has completed acquisition of ISO 14001certification for all our facilities including R&D andadministrativefacilities infiscal 2000.(For details,see page 13.For date ofacquisition,see page 30.)

Acquisition of ISO14001 certification for allMinolta facilities

Minolta received the Chairman's Award of the EnergyConservation Center Japan for our energy-efficient useof discharged heat. We also received the EnvironmentalTechnology Award of the Kinki Chemical Society Japanfor development of water swelling layer reusable media.(For details, see pages 21 and 27.)

Consecutive awards for environmental technology

Minolta began to introduce green procurement systemin December to preferentially purchase environment-conscious parts and materials used in our products.(For details, see page 15.)

Full-scale introduction of green procurement

As a result of our company-wide efforts to eliminate useof specified chemicals, those chemicals have beentotally eliminated from the manufacturing andexperimental process at Minolta facilities. (For details,see page 25.)

Use of specified chemicals banned

The Type III environmental label to discloseenvironment-related information has been made publicfor 5 copier models. (For details, see page 22.)

Type III environmental label revealed to the public

Zero waste discharge was achieved at 7 Minolta Groupfacilities including Mizuho and Itami plants. The ItamiPlant was the first optical glass manufacturing plant inJapan to achieve this. (For details, see page 23.)

Achieved zero waste discharge at 7 MinoltaGroup facilities

Topics for fiscal 2000

Topics 2000 ─Main efforts in environmental preservation for the year─

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70

2001 (fiscal year)2000199919981997

Tetrachloroethylene Dichloromethane HCFC PFC

Tota

l vol

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hand

led

Completely eliminated January 2001

(tons)

Type III environmental label

Green procurement presentation

Itami Plant and its newspaper

ISO14001 certificationsacquired fiscal 2000

DiALTA Di550 for which Type III has been disclosed Chairman's Award of the Energy Conservation Center Japan

■Use of specified chemicals

3 MAR

2 FEB

1JAN

2001

12 DEC

11 NOV

10OCT

9SEP

8AUG

7JUL

6JUN

5MAY

4APR

2000

Topics 2000

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Topics2000

Minolta Fiscal 2000 Environmental Preservation Calendar

Minolta Environmental Report 2000 issued.

Type III environmental label made public.

Eco-Mark acquired for 2 series of copiers (subsequently acquired for 15 series).

Sayama Operations begins conducting group company water analysis and issuing measurement certificates.

New structure of promoting environmental activities launched.

Full-scale introduction of green procurement.

Exhibition at Eco Products 2000 (Tokyo Big Site).

Mizuho and Itami Plants achieve zero waste discharge status.

Itami Plant receives Excellence Award at National Energy Savings Presentationsponsored by the Energy Savings Center.

Mizuho Plant receives Japan Green Research and Development CenterChairman's Incentive Award at 19th Convention for Promotion of Greener

Factories.

Achieve zero waste discharge at Toyokawa Administrative Center, Miki Minolta Industries Co.,Ltd., Aoi Camera Co., Ltd., Sakai Operations and the Technical Center.

ISO 14001 certification acquired by Wuhan Minolta Office Automation EquipmentsCo., Ltd.(China).

ISO 14001 certification acquired by all Minolta facilities.Environmental Technology Award of the Kinki Chemical Society Japan received

for development of water swelling layer reusable media.Itami Plant receives Chairman's Award at National Energy Savings

Presentation sponsored by the Energy Conservation Center Japan.

In the fiscal year 2000, the Minolta Group promoted environmental preservation activities inthe various areas of our business activities. The main results of doing so are as follows.

ISO 14001 Certified Wuhan Minolta

Eco Products 2000

Minolta Environmental Report 2000

Use of specified chemicals banned at Minolta facilities.

Nordic Swan environmental label acquired for two copier models.

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Applying the Principles of Minolta's corporate mission in the field of environmentalpreservation to supply goods and services that contribute to building a more-affluent society while reducing burdens on the natural environment, helpingpreserve this environment, and supporting the creation of healthy and appealingliving environments.

Environmental Principles and Advancement System

・Contribute to the global community by creating ever greater value and excellence

・Continuously renew our vision and realize steady growth・Work together to build a vital organization that provides

opportunities for individual fulfillment

We shall be aware of the seriousness ofglobal environmental problems andcontinually take autonomous and proactivemeasures to protect the environment.

【Instituted February 1992 / revised March 1996】

Special emphasis on expeditiously promoting1)The consistent implementation of environmental preservation programs

throughout the Minolta Group2)Reductions in resource and energy consumption and waste generation at all

levels of the Group's operations3)The development of environment-conscious products4)The development of technologies for environmental preservation5)Education programs that encourage environment-conscious lifestyles6)Further improvement in its environmental management organizational

framework and implementation modes for environmental preservation programsthat are economical, effective, and sustainable

(1)Development Creating technologies to minimize the environmental impact of R & D, design, and manufacturing processes and of product distribution, use, and disposal

(2)ManufacturingDeveloping technologies to minimize the volume of factory waste products, effectively processing and recycling unavoidable waste products, and promoting the conservation of energy and resources

(3)DistributionDeveloping packaging and distribution methods that minimize the environmental impact of distribution operations and systems for recovering and recycling materials used in the crating and packaging of products

(4)Government CooperationCooperation with government environmental preservation programs and programs aimed at preserving local environments and, when necessary, establishing and maintaining the Company's own environmental preservation standards

(5)Overseas ActivitiesSurveying overseas regulations, government programs, and environmental conditions, and making appropriate responses

(6)ConsumptionReducing the consumption of energy and resources as well as facilitating waste management and recycling throughout all Minolta Group activities

(7)Employee EducationCreating programs and publications that foster employee awareness of environmental issues and promote initiatives in accordance with Minolta's environmental policies both in and outside the workplace

(extract)

Environmental Principles and Advancement System

8

EnvironmentalPrinciples

andAdvancem

entSystem

1990 Environmental Policy Committee established.

1992 First time environmental label acquired bya Minolta copier (Germany).Minolta Environmental Charter enacted.

1993 Trichloroethane and specified CFCs bannedby Minolta Group.

1995 Eliminated use of polystyrene foam as shock-absorbing material to package all camera products.

1996 Environmental Board established (reorganized from Environmental Policy Committee).

Environmental Preservation Action Policies enacted.Minolta acquired our first ISO 14001 certification.

1997 Environmental Report issued(English, Japanese).

1999 Medium-Term Environmental Plan enacted (fiscal 1999 - 2003).Environmental accounting introduced.ISO 14001 certification acquired by all domestic manufacturing facilities.Product assessment guidelines enacted.

【Minolta's Environmental Preservation Advancement System】

Principal Functions Affiliated CompaniesRelevant Divisions

Executive Officer CommitteePresident

Marketing Affiliates

Quality & Ecology Division

Management Promotion

Product PromotionIndividual Business Fields

Facility Promotion

Manufacturing Affiliates

◇Overview of Environmental Activities

(Overall responsibility for promotingenvironmental preservation activitiesthroughout the Minolta Group)

･Planning, proposal drafting, implementation and promotion ofenvironmentalpreservationactivities･Implementation of environmentalaudits

･Promotionof facilities'environmentalmanagement systems･Guidance of affiliated companies' environmental preservation programs

Creation, implementation, andpromotion of environment-conscious facility programsbased on Companywidepolicies

･Promotion of environment-conscious products

Creation, implementation, andpromotion of businessdevelopment programs basedon Companywide policies

Minolta enacted the Minolta Environmental Charter in 1992 consisting fundamental goals, actionpolicies and its emphases. The entire Minolta Group recognizes that preservation of theenvironment as our social responsibility and has taken action. To strengthen the role andfunctions in fiscal 2000 in an organized manner, we have settled upon an environmentalpreservation structure based on regular organization rather than the committee system.

･Institution of the Minolta Medium-Term Environmental Plan･Auditing environmental management system ･Enactment and strict observance of internal environmental standards･Strict observance of environmental laws and regulations･Comprehensive disclosure of environmental information

Individual Facilities

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Med

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Activity

・Disclosure of fiscal 1999 results

・Scope expanded to domestic group from fiscal 2000

・Expansion of targets for acquisition of certification

・Construction of environmental education/enlightenment system

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・Establish green procurement policy; construction of management

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・Minimum 95% resource recycling rate for copiers

・Investigation of system for recovering and recycling printers

・Establish reduction plan・Optical lens to be minimum 90% free of lead and arsenic・Ban on manufacturing of market maintenance selenium photoconductors

･Application of international Energy Star Program standards for

OA equipment

・Preparation and revision of product assessment standards for all

business fields

─

・Disclosure of Type III environmental label for copiers

�

・Manufacturing/R&D facilities reduction rate: 40%

(compared to fiscal 1996)

�

・Model facilities achievement period: September 2000

・Expansion of number of facilities producing zero waste discharge

�

・Ban on use in manufacturing and experimental processes at all

Minolta facilities

・Establish ban/reduction plan at domestic affiliates

・Start in operation of chemicals management system at

manufacturing/R&D facilities

・Construction of system at domestic manufacturing affiliates

・Energy consumption maintained to fiscal 1997 level

�

・Publication of Environmental Report 2000

─

Environmental accounting

Environmental management systemEnvironmental education

Green procurement

Green purchasing

Use of recyclable resources

Reduction of specified chemical substances

Energy savings

Product assessment

Environmental technology developmentEnvironmental labeling

Reduction of waste

Chemicals management

Energy savings

・Introduction of environmental accounting (fiscal 2000)）

・ISO 14001 certification acquired by major domestic/overseas

manufacturing facilities and affiliates (end of fiscal 1999)

・Construction of education/enlightenment system

・Introduction of environmental awards

・Investigation of green procurement introduction method

(end of fiscal 2000)

・Expansion of green purchase of office supplies (fiscal 2002)

All Minolta facilities: Min. 90%

Domestic affiliates: Min. 70%

・Minimum recycling rate of 95% for recovered copiers, printers and

cartridges (end of fiscal 2002)

�・Reduction in use of brominated fire retardants (except for PBB/PBDE) and heavy metals・Optical lens to be minimum 90% free of lead and arsenic (fiscal 2000)・Ban on manufacturing of market maintenance selenium photoconductors (end of fiscal 2000)

･Application of international Energy Star program standards for

OA equipment

・Systematic preparation and introduction of design stage product

assessment system

─

�

・Environmental label (Type III) standards take into effect (end of fiscal 2001)

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・Reduction rate of amount of treatment of industrial waste produced at

manufacturing and R&D facilities (end of 2003)

Manufacturing/R&D facilities: 70% (compared to fiscal 1996)

Domestic manufacturing affiliates: 50% (compared to fiscal 1998)

・Achievement of zero waste discharge at model facilities

(end of December 2000)

・Ban on usage of substances that contribute to depletion of the ozone layer, global warming and contamination of soil and ground water Manufacturing/R&D facilities: End of December 2000 Domestic manufacturing affiliates: End of fiscal 2002

・Start in operation of chemicals management system

Manufacturing/R&D facilities: Fiscal 2000

Domestic/overseas manufacturing affiliates: Fiscal 2001

・Energy consumption maintained to 1997 level

(each year up to fiscal 2003)

・Regular publication of environmental report

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Medium-Term Environmental Plan (fiscal 1999-2003).

Environmental Preservation Target

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Information disclosure

Cooperating with communities

Medium-Term Environmental Plan and its Progress

Medium-Term Environmental Plan and its Progress

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Medium

-TermEnvironm

entalPlanand

itsProgress

Under the Minolta Environmental Charter, a Medium-Term Environmental Plan has beenestablished for each of four activity fields. Based on this, the annual plan is established toachieve the targets of the medium-term plan and check on progress. The Medium-TermEnvironmental Plan was reviewed in fiscal 2000, and the entire Minolta Group has furtherintensified our environmental activities.

・Public disclosure (June)

・Expansion for specified activities only

・Acquisition of certification by all Minolta facilities (March 2001)

・Acquisition of certification by Wuhan Minolta (China) (March 2001)

・Study of education/enlightenment system

�

・Start to survey 22,000 parts and materials for image information

product at 400 companies

・All Minolta facilities: 72%

・Domestic affiliates: System introduction under consideration

�

・Minimum 99% resource recycling for recovered copiers

・100% resource recycling for recovered toner bottles and cartridges

・Complete

・91% free of lead and arsenic

・Complete ban on manufacturing achieved

・Applied for 25 models including color copier CF2001

・Introduced and enforced at all fields

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─

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・Environmental data disclosed for 5 models

・Manufacturing/R&D facilities reduction rate: 79%

・Domestic manufacturing affiliates reduction rate: 59%

・Achieved at Mizuho Plant (September)・Achieved at Itami Plant (September), Sakai Operations, Technical Center, Toyokawa Administrative Center, Miki Minolta Industries Co., Ltd., Aoi Camera Co., Ltd. (March 2001)

・Use banned at all Minolta facilities (January 2001)

・Plan established

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・Start in operation at manufacturing/R&D facilities and domestic

manufacturing affiliates

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・15% increase

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・Published (June)

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・Scope of application expanded to entire group

・ISO 14001 certification acquired by Japan/US/EU marketing affiliate

(end of fiscal 2002)

・Construction of structure and scope of application expanded to

entire group

・100% green procurement rate achieved by entire group (fiscal 2003)

・Improvement of green purchase ratio

Domestic group: Min. 90% (fiscal 2002)

・Improvement of resource recycling rate and recycle method of recovered products (fiscal 2003)・Draw up and take into effect resource recycling plan that matches regional characteristics overseas

・Ban on lead, mercury and hexavalent chromium (end of fiscal 2003)

・Establishment of periods to ban or reduce other specified chemical

substances

・OA equipment: Apply to concerned energy saving standards

・Energy savings for equipment other than OA equipment

・Management of environmental impact based on product assessment

and strict enforcement

・Continuation and expansion of development of technologies to reduce

resource and energy consumption

・Information disclosure by environmental labels suited to product

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・Total waste discharge reduced by 20% in comparison to fiscal 1999

level for entire domestic group (fiscal 2003)

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・Achievement of zero waste discharge for all domestic group facilities

(fiscal 2002)

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・Ban on use for entire group (June 2002)

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・Start in operation for entire group (fiscal 2002)

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・CO2 emission maintained to 1997 level for entire group (fiscal 2003)

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・Sustained information disclosure using proper media

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・Carry out social contribution activities concerning the environment

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Activities Plan for Fiscal 2000Achievement Status Related Page

Revised Medium-Term Plan (major point)(Fiscal 2001-2003)

★★★★★： Targets overwhelmingly exceeded　★★★：Target more or less achieved　★：Target clearly not achieved

11

Envi

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Enviromental AccountingMinolta has introduced an environmental accounting system to measure the capital investment, expense andresults of our environmental preservation activities, and carry out effective and sustained environmental activities.

Based on guidelines published by the Environment Agency(currently Ministry of the Environment) in May 2000,environmental accounting for fiscal 2000 was applied to 14Minolta domestic facilities.Along with enhancing precision of calculations, environmental

accounting for fiscal 2000 compares environmentalpreservation cost and performance with the fiscal 1999. In thefuture, the system will introduce a indicators such asenvironmental efficiency (percentage of environmental impactreduced in environmental preservation cost). Along withaiming for more efficient environmental preservation activities,we will deal with converting effect into monetary figures.

Environmental accounting sorts environmental preservationcost into positive investment that can be recovered in thefuture (prior investment), outlay for existing managementand sustainable improvement (management improvement),and negative outlay such as cleaning up previously producedpollution (damage restoration). Approximately half of themoney invested in environmental preservation were used fordamage restoration, and over two-thirds of the environmentalpreservation expense were used for management improvement.As a results of investment in cleaning up environmental

pollution taking a break, by completing initial investment ina chemical substance management system and assembly andcleaning lines of used products, investment decreased toapproximately ¥100 million. Consequently, investment inenvironmental equipment accounted for 1.1% of totalequipment investment (¥11.3 billion).Expense increased to approximately ¥2.2 billion due to

acquisition of ISO 14001 certification for domestic facilitiesand an increase in the amount of used products recovered.Labor expense accounted for approximately 50% of the totalexpense (¥1.1 billion). Because there was a large increase inexpense of acquiring ISO 14001 certification, the figure isexpected to decrease after fiscal 2001.The percentage of environmental R&D expense in the total

R&D expense (¥26.1 billion) increase to 2.8% due toinvolvement with new research of environmental technologies.Concerning prior investment in reinforcement of the

management base and development of advanced technologies,Minolta ties those efforts into concrete results such asintensification of environmental activities and developmentof next generation energy-saving products, and thereforeplans to continue to systematically invest in those efforts.Concerning management improvement, we intend to workon making environmental activities more efficient.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Introduction of environmental accounting beginning in fiscal 2000.

・Disclosed fiscal 1999 results ahead of time.・Expanded scope of application for certain activities from fiscal 2000.

◆Philosophy Behind of Environmental Accounting

◆Environmental Preservation Cost

Environmental Management InitiativesIn order to carry out environmental preservation activities efficiently, Minolta specifies toppriority to issues such as introduction of environmental accounting and green procurementand expanding scope of ISO 14001 certification.

■Percentage of environmental preservation cost

■ Classification of environmental preservation cost 　 according to outlay (expense)

Unit: ¥1M

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Prior investment Management improvement Damage restoration

Prior investment Management improvement Damage restoration

Investment Expense

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Environmental Management Initiatives

12

EnvironmentalAccounting

The economic effects of environmental preservationactivities in product recycling and reuse took shape as areduction in cost of purchasing parts and sales profitsobtained by products recovered from the market. Theexpense of energy and treating facility waste increased overfiscal 1999 due to improving recycling method and anincrease in manufacturing of toner and hard disk boards.

As a result of achieving zero waste facilities, banning useof specified chemicals and conserving energy at ourfacilities, amount of CO2, waste and chemicals subject toPRTR discharged, and amount of water used havedecreased in comparison with the previous year. (Fordetails, see pp. 23-27.)

As for recovery and recycling of used products, we areinvolved in recycling copiers and reusing cartridges andtoner bottles. At R&D stages, we have used recyclablematerials, have reduced the amount of specified chemicalsused in our products, have designed our copiers with lesspower consumption, and have developed environmentaltechnologies. (For details, see pp. 17-21.)

◆Environmental Performance ◆Economic Effects of Environmental Preservation Activities

1. Environmental preservation cost

3. Economic effects of environmental preservation activities

2. Environmental performance

■Environmental accounting for fiscal 2000　Scope: Minolta Co., Ltd.　Effective period: April 1, 2000 to March 31, 2001

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Item Amount

(compared with previous fiscal year) (compared with previous fiscal year)

Item

Item

Total

Investment Expense Description

Environmental impact factor

Total environmental impact Change in comparison with fiscal 1999

Change in comparisonwith fiscal 1999

1. Effect within business area������2. Upstream/downstream effect��3. R&D effect

1. Cost within business area��2. Upstream/downstream cost���3. Management activities cost��4. R&D cost��5. Social activities cost��6. Environmental damage cost

CO2 emission

PRTR chemicals discharge

Waste discharge

Water usage

Reduction of amount of waste treatment, use of specifiedchemicals banned/reduced, energy consumptionsuppressed in facilities

Development of environmental technologies,

environment-conscious design for existing products

Information disclosure through environmental report,

Web site and environmental exhibitions, local cleaning

Survey and restoration of damage caused by past businessactivities

Introduction of green procurement, use of recyclable

resources (recovery and recycling of used products),

compliance with law concerning packaging recycling

Construction/maintenance of environmentalmanagement system, environmental education,reinforcement of our environmental management base

Recycle from used products�

Reuse from used products

Recycled material used in products

4

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─ � ─

－3,917

－73

－13

Decrease in cost of parts due to recycling of products, etc.Profit obtained by selling facility wasteCost of treating facility wasteCost of energy consumptionDecrease in cost due to reuse of used test paper (deemed effect)

281

181─

753

761,046

23

472

581,045

Unit: ¥1M

124（▲62％）�

318 (＋35％)�

415 (＋101％)�

505 (＋82％)�

729 (＋5％)�

36 (＋141％)�

162 (＋28％)

2,165 (＋39％)

Unit: ¥1M

Unit: tons

Reference 1) Domestic affiliates included in the total for recovery and recycling of used products.�2) Change in environmental preservation cost in comparison with fiscal 1999 was calculated after re-classification of concerned item.

Fiscal 1999

Fiscal 1999

Fiscal 2000

Fiscal 2000

302,309

－164

－5

－550

－12,443

2,205

24

（▲ 1％）�

（▲57％）�

（▲58％）�

（▲ 4％）�

26,111 26,275

（＋129％）�

（＋ 49％）�

13

Envi

ronm

enta

lMan

agem

entS

yste

m/E

nviro

nmen

talE

duca

tion

Environmental Management SystemMinolta is working to expand the scope of ISO 14001 certification and continuously improve the environmentalmanagement system.

The Minolta Group acquired ISO 14001 certification at all ofour domestic manufacturing facilities by the end of fiscal1999.In fiscal 2000, along with starting to acquire certification at

new domestic manufacturing affiliates, Minolta conductedactivities to acquire certification at our R&D andadministration facilities as well, acquiring seven certifications.Minolta has now acquired certification at all of our facilities. Minolta Group is scheduled to acquire certification at our

◆Acquisition of ISO 14001 certification

Environmental EducationIt is important for each employee to be aware of the environment in order for environmental preservation activities to take shape.Minolta is enhancing employee's awareness of the environment primarily by education in accordance with ISO 14001 system.

Minolta is now considering to construct an education andenlightenment system for the entire group. The Group isnow providing systematic education for employees such asenvironmental education for training new employees andeducation at facilities where ISO 14001 has beenintroduced.

A new educational program will be started based onresults of a study conducted in fiscal 2001.

◆Environmental Education

◆Environmental Enlightenment Activities

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Acquired ISO 14001 certification at major manufacturing facilities both domestic and overseas by the end of fiscal 1999.

・Expanded scope of application and acquired certification at all Minolta facilities.・Acquired certification at Wuhan Minolta (China).

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Along with constructing a system of education and enlightenment, an environmental award system to be introduced.

・Continuance under consideration.

◇Environmental Awareness Activities at Minolta Malaysia

An environmental education campaign week was setJanuary 2001 to raise employee's awareness of theenvironment at Minolta Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. and MinoltaPrecision Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd.The campaign includes an environmental exhibition and

presentation on the environmental impact by theemployee's own company. The company devised a quiz

rally to make the exhibition more enjoyable.

main marketing affiliates bothdomestic and overseas. The MinoltaSales Group (Japan), MinoltaCorporation (US) and MinoltaEurope GmbH (Germany) arepreparing to construct anenvironmental management system.

Employees and their families are educated about theenvironment by the articles in an in-company newsletter, "Iwant to know more about what Minolta is doing about theenvironment." Minolta Group facilities are involved in raisingemployee's awareness of the environment by publishing anenvironmental newsletter and displaying environmental postersand pictures drawn by primary and middle school students onthe theme of environmental preservation. Employees at somefacilities carry cards giving ISO 14001 policy and targets tokeep them aware of environmental preservation.

Company environmental newsletter and carryingcard for Minolta Group facilities

Quiz rally

ISO 14001 certification (Head office)

14

EnvironmentalRisk

Managem

ent

Environmental Risk ManagementIn order to prevent accidents that might have a negative environmental impact, Minolta intensifies a riskmanagement system to minimize it.

To minimize impact of accidents or emergencies as well asprevent them from happening, we have establishedinternal standards for handling emergencies at facilitieswhere ISO 14001 has been introduced. If an accidentdoes occur, a description of the related circumstances andresponse will be recorded, and internal standards will bereviewed and revised to ensure the proper action is takenwithout delay in the case of emergencies.

In fiscal 2000, we performed emergency drills at thevarious facilities in accordance with standards.

◆Risk Management

The Quality & Ecology Division conducts an environmentalaudit of Minolta manufacturing facilities and domesticmanufacturing affiliates to confirm the status on legalcompliance and communication status with the government. The result of the audit showed the facilities to be generally in

compliance with relevant regulations and handling of localcomplaints and noncompliance with environmentalmanagement.

◆Environmental Audit

◆Response to the Issue of Soil and Ground Water Contamination with Organic Chlorinated Solvents

Sayama Operations has bolstered its water quality analysissystem by having analytic laboratory certification approvedin December 1999. Following installation of organicchemical analysis equipment in the last fiscal year, weinstalled equipment for analyzing minute quantities of heavymetals in March 2001. Sayama Operations single handedlyundertook analysis of water quality within the group toshorten time required for and enhance precision of analysis.

［Minolta facilities］Approximately a year and a half has passed since the Sakaiand Sayama Operations began purifying by ground waterpumping and volatile treatment method. During thistime, 40,000 tons of ground water was treated at the SakaiOperations; 20kg of tetrachloroethylene and 38kg oftrichloroethylene were recovered from the water. At theSayama Operations, 29,000 tons of ground water wastreated, and 6.3kg of tetrachloroethylene and 0.4kg oftrichloroethylene were recovered. The water is regularlymonitored and purification is progressing smoothly.

Soil of at the Sayama Operations where contaminationwas measured (1,300 tons, or 810m3) was detoxified by

◆Analytic Laboratory

Emergency drill(Nankai Optical Co., Ltd.)

Environmental Management Initiatives

［Affiliates］The amount of tetrachloroethylene, trichloroethylene anddichloromethane detected in the ground water of NankaiOptical Co., Ltd. was found to exceed environmentalstandards (160,367 and 85 times the standardrespectively). This was duly reported to the government ofWakayama Prefecture and city of Kainan in September.A study conducted by the prefectural government detectednone of these substances in samples taken from soil, waterand farm produce in the surrounding area of the facilityhad been contaminated.

Tetrachloroethylene and trichloroethylene detected in theground water of Nara Minolta Seiko Co., Ltd. was foundto exceed environmental standards (3,460 and 234 timesthe standard respectively). This was duly reported to thegovernment of Nara Prefecture and city of Sakurai inNovember. A study conducted by the prefecturalgovernment detected none of these substances in samplestaken from wells and rivers in the surrounding area, andconfirmed there was no possibility that the surroundingarea of the facility had been contaminated.

Trichloroehylene detected in the ground water ofToyohashi Precision Products Co., Ltd., was found toexceed environmental standards (5 times the standard).This was duly reported to the city of Toyohashi in March2001. A study conducted by the city detected none ofthese substances in samples taken from wells in thesurrounding area, and confirmed there was no possibilitythat the surrounding area had been contaminated.

All three of these companies immediately beganpurifying the ground water.

0.0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

3 (Year/month)211211109876543211211'99/ '00/ '01/

direct iron powder reduction method. The elution testconducted 3 months later showed tetrachloroethyleneremaining in the soil to be less than 0.004mg/ (0.01 mg/for the environmental standard).

In addition to this, Minolta banned the use of specifiedorganic chlorinated solvents at Minolta facilities inJanuary 2001.

■Concentration in monitored wells(Sayama Operations) （Material: tetrachloroethylene）

15

Gree

nPr

ocur

emen

tand

Gree

nPu

rcha

sing

Green Procurement and Green PurchasingMinolta has introduced a green procurement system to provide products that have relatively less environmentalimpact. Our offices practice green purchasing and promote purchase of environment-conscious office supplies.

It is the social duty of manufacturers to provide productsthat have relatively less environmental impact. Along withdesigning products that have minimal impact on theenvironment, manufacturers must also procureenvironment-conscious materials and parts.

In December 2000, Minolta established the MinoltaGreen Procurement Guidelines and started to procureenvironment-conscious parts and materials to be used inMinolta products.

The guidelines call for environmental evaluation fromthe aspects of corporate performance and procured partsand materials, and deciding whether or not to use theprocured items by the total evaluation of the two.

Green procurement will be expanded to the all MinoltaGroup in fiscal 2001, aiming to have 100% greenprocurement by the end of fiscal 2003.

By promoting green procurement together with oursupplier, we could lower product cost and environmental

◆Introduction of Green Procurement

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000・Consider method of introducing green procurement by end of fiscal 2000.・Expand purchase of environment-conscious office supplies by end of fiscal 2002. Min. 90% for Minolta facilities, min. 70% for domestic affiliates

・Started ahead of time in December.・72% of the office supplies purchased for Minolta facilities in fiscal 2000 were environment-conscious green products.

Green procurement presentation

Green Procurement Guidelines

Ecological evaluation (E) calls for evaluating the ecological efforts of our supplier(corporate performance evaluation) and the ecological efforts involving the parts and materials delivered (procured items evaluation).

1. Corporate performance evaluation

2.Procured item evaluation

・Acquisition of ISO 14001 certification (implementation of environmental management execution based on ISO 14001)・Implementation of environmental evaluation during product development and material procurement・Reduction of the environmental impact during the manufacturing process・Disclosure of environmental information

・Volume of specified chemicals included・Promotion of conservation of resources and energy・Consideration given to recycling・Consideration given to the environment concerning packaging

Quality (Q) Delivery (D)

Cost (C)

Ecology (E)

Corporate performanceevaluation + procured item

evaluation

■Logic behind criteria

■Evaluation criteria

impact of our products. This also contributes toimprovement of environmental management on the partof our suppliers.

Green procurement system screen

16

GreenProcurem

entandGreen

Purchasing

Minolta also purchases environment-conscious officesupplies from the perspective of the purchaser. Weestablished the basic policy concerning the purchasing ofenvironment-conscious office supplies and criteria forselecting which items to purchase based on it inSeptember 1999. We also introduced our Stationarydatabase electronic settlement ordering system thatutilizes a data base of office supplies at all Minoltafacilities in April 2000. The system speeds up theselection and ordering process for green products andeliminates the need for paper order forms.

In fiscal 2000, the green purchase ratio in value was72%＊, and a total of 890 items were registered greenproducts.Minolta is planning for further expansion of the system.

＊Green purchase ratio: Value of green products purchased/Valueof green products and non-green product purchased ×100

◆Green PurchasingIn order to efficiently promote green procurement,Minolta has constructed an online green procurementsystem that uses the Internet. Minolta and our suppliersbegan using the system in full operation in April 2001. Afeature of the system is that it enables suppliers to accessMinolta's dedicated server via Internet, input and registerdata in the server, have the data automatically evaluatedimmediately, and then view the results of the evaluation.Electronic data exchange reduces the amount of time andreduces the amount of paper needed.

The data obtained also can be used inside our companyfor development and design of new products, as well as toimprove environmental conscious of existing products.

◆Construction of Green Procurement System

Environmental Management Initiatives

Green purchase system order screen

M i n o l t a S u p p l i e r

Green procurement policy/criteria

Survey requestProduct design

Survey

Improvement

Pass

Evaluation

Evaluation (notification of results) NG

NGOK

OK

Feed

back

■Green procurement implementation flow

17

Use

ofRe

cycl

able

Reso

urce

s(r

ecyc

ling

used

prod

ucts

)

Product-Related InitiativesMinolta is working to reduce the environmental impact of our products by using recyclableresources, reducing the amount of specified chemical substances contained and reducingenergy consumption at each stage of the product life cycle.

Use of Recyclable Resources (recycling used products)Minolta is working to reuse and recycle used products and recover them from the market, additionally, to make usedproducts easier to reuse and recycle from the initial development and design stages.

［Copiers］Some of the plastic parts in Minolta copiers use recycledmaterials to reduce the amount of virgin material used.

By coloring digital green＊, recycled materials are alsoused for exterior parts requiring strict color management.

Plastic materials of image information product such ascopiers and printers are placed identification mark in linewith ISO 1043 and ISO 11469 to facilitate sortingrecovered plastic materials.

＊Digital green is a proposal including the message "Minolta aims to coexist with nature and technology for the 21st century", and uses the color green to represent trees.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Calls for recycling a minimum of 95% of recovered copiers, printers and cartridges by the end of fiscal 2002. (Applies to domestic market only.)

・99% of used copiers recycled.・100% of used toner bottles and cartridges recycled.

◆Use of Recycled Materials

Used copiers and consumables such as toner cartridgesand toner bottles are collected at nine recovery centers.The centers collect used products from sales outlets allover the country. The used products collected by therecovery centers are sent to recycling companies and basesfor recycling and reuse. Recovering toner cartridges byparcel service was also started in December 2000.

Copiers are not only directly recovered from thecustomers themselves. Minolta has participated in theservices of the exchange center of the Japan BusinessMachine Makers Association＊ to pick up Minoltaproducts recovered by other companies. This helps raisethe recovery rate of Minolta products. Minolta products

◆Recovery

CF2001 copier using digital greenSapporo

Tokyo

ToyokawaOsaka

Itami

Fukuoka

CopierConsumables

■Amount of used products recovered and recycled

Copiers

Consumables＊�

Total

Fiscal 1999

Recovered

1,396

378

1,774

3,495

520

4,015

3,471

520

3,991

Recovered Recycled

［Unit:Tons］�

Fiscal 2000

■Recovery center for copiers and consumables

recovered through the exchange center in fiscal 2000accounted for approximately 10% of recovered products(3,495 tons in total).

We will continue to expand the amount of usedproducts recovered by taking advantage of the exchangecenter and enhance efficiency of collection.

＊The exchange center of the Japan Business Machine Makers Association began operating in the Tokyo area in May 1999, and subsequently expanded its scope to cover the entire Kanto area. By December 2000, it began operating in the Hokkaido, Chubu and Kinki areas as well.

＊Consumables: Imaging units, toner bottles, toner cartridges

18

UseofRecyclable

Resources(recycling

usedproducts)

◆Reuse/Recycling

◇Packaging/Package Insertion

For packaging, Minolta continues to reduce environmentalimpact by placing importance on switching toenvironment-conscious materials that are suitable forproduct characteristics and reducing/compacting absolutevolume. We began switching to cardboard and pulp molds made

from recycled paper for copiers in 1991. After delivery, thepallets are also taken back for reuse.Since 1994, Minolta Group has shifted from the use of

foaming material (as polystyrene foam) to the use ofcardboard and pulp molds made from recycled paper forcamera packaging. We also place material identificationmark on plastic packaging.Minolta was the first company in the copier industry to

use bagasse paper (paper made from the crushed stalksof sugar cane and recycled paper) for the operator's

manual of the CF1501/CF2001 copiers.We have also been printing domestically used packaging

and its insertions for copiers and cameras with soy ink＊

since 2000.

＊Some solvents anddrying oil have beenreplaced with soybean oil. This can preventvolatile organic compounds (VOC) that cause air pollution from being produced.

Product-Related Initiatives

〈"Reuse" label attached〉

〈Recovered used bottles〉

〈Use〉 〈Filling〉

〈Cleaning process 1〉 〈Cleaning process 2〉

No landfill

DeliveryCustomer

Recovery center Sorting

Inspection

Cleaning

Disassembly

Assembly

Inspection

Material recycling

Energy recovery

Landfill

［Copiers］The recycling rate for copiers recovered from the marketwas 99% for fiscal 2000, an improvement over fiscal1999. In the past there had been regional differences inrecycling rate, but the rate was improved by raising thedisassembly/sorting level in all areas and by enlisting thehelp of new recycling companies capable of recyclinghard-to-treat parts such as manuscript stand glass. InJanuary 1999, Minolta began selling the EP6000RMcopier that reuses parts from recovered copiers. About70% by number and about 80% by mass of the parts arereused to reduce waste.

In the future we intend to improve our resourcerecycling by expanding the amount of parts reused, andswitching from energy recovery left partially to materialrecycling.

［Toner bottles］We began to reuse specified types of used toner bottles inJanuary 2000. After cleaning the bottles, the ones thatpass quality inspection are reused. Toner bottles forCF1501 and CF2001 copiers have been speciallydesigned for reuse. Including reused toner bottles, 100%of the toner bottles recovered are recycled.

Packaging and its insertionsprinted with soy ink and manualmade of bagasse paper

［Toner cartridges］Used toner cartridges recovered from the market aredisassembled and cleaned at the base for recycling andreuse. The parts of those passing the quality inspectionare reused. More than 70% by mass of parts of majortypes are incorporated into new toner cartridges. In thefiscal 2000, 72 tons of material was reduced. Includingreuse of parts, 100% of the cartridges recovered arerecycled.

■Cartridge reuse flow

■Toner bottle reuse flow

19

Redu

ctio

nof

Spec

ified

Chem

ical

Subs

tanc

es

Reduction of Specified Chemical SubstancesTo minimize environmental impact by products when they are used or disposed of, Minolta does our best to reducethe use of substances that have a negative effect on the environment at the design and manufacturing stages.

In September 2000, Minolta drew up a list of chemicalsubstances contained in Minolta products that need to bebanned, reduced and controlled.

Based on chemical substances covered by environmentalregulations in various countries all over the world, the listranks 60 substances as A, B, or C. Brominated fireretardants and heavy metals are rank A (banned). Minoltaaims to phase-out the use of these substances by the endof fiscal 2003.

In fiscal 2000, Minolta formed a committee for consideringthe use of lead-free solder in Minolta products. Minoltaaffiliate, Aoi Camera Co., Ltd., has installed a line forplacing components on printed circuit boards using lead-free solder. Minolta optical lens are now 91% free of lead.Concerning hexavalent chromium, we are also consideringto use chromium-free treated steel plates. Minolta ceased manufacturing of selenium

photoconductors remaining for market maintenance inMarch 2001.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000・Reduction in use of brominated fire retardants (except for PBB/PBDE) and heavy metals.・Manufacturing mass of optical lens to be minimum 90% free of lead and arsenic from fiscal 2000.

・Reduction plan settled upon.・Optical lens 91% free of lead and arsenic for fiscal 2000.

◆List of Minolta's Controlled Chemical Substances Contained in Products

◆Efforts to Reduce Specified Chemical Substances

Substance ＊1 Application 2 ＊2 Products Efforts up to fiscal 1999 Efforts in fiscal 2000

Lead and lead compounds

Mercury and mercury compounds

Hexavalent chromium compounds

Cadmium andcadmium compounds

PBBPBDE/PBBE

Other brominated fire retardants(besides PBB/PBDE)

Chlorinated fire retardantsPVC and PVC blends

Solder

Optical lens/glass

Fluorescent lamps

Mercury switches

Mercury shutters

Cr-treated steel plates

NiCd batteries

Photocells

Plastic material

Plastic material

Plastic material

Plastic material

Blister packs

Cases

Wire sheathing

All products

All products

Image information/optical

Optical product/planetariums

Optical product/planetariums

All products

All products

Optical product

All products

All products

All products

All products

Optical product

Optical product

All products

Newly designed optical lens is more than 90% free of lead and arsenic

Use banned for optical productUse banned for new planetariums

Use banned for optical productUse banned for new planetariums

Use of NiCd batteries banned for products

Use of CdS photocells banned for products

Banned

Banned

Banned

Committee for considering the use of lead-free solder formedIntroduction of Lead-free solder placement line at Aoi Camera

Sample evaluation of chromium-free steel plate

Start of detailed survey as part of greenprocurement

Switch to polystyrene (PS) considered

Use banned for new products

Substitute technologies considered

Manufacturing mass of optical lens 91%free of lead and arsenic

Survey of substance contained

Lead-free solder placement line of Aoi Camera Co., Ltd.

■Substances in the List of Minolta’s Controlled Chemical Substances Contained in Products

Rank

A

B

C

To be banned

To be reduced

To be controlled

15

30

15

No. of substance groups

＊1. Halogenated dioxins, halogenated dibenzofurans, polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB), polychlorinated naphthalene, asbestos, 4-nitrobiphenyl are not contained in Minolta products.

＊2. Only evident applications to Minolta products are listed. Action will be taken as needed if content survey for green procurement clearly shows content of substances.

■ Efforts with rank A substances

Minolta QMS color laser printermagicolor 2200 DeskLaser

20

EnergySavings

OA equipment such as copiers and printers are designedto be energy-saving. One example would be equipmentprovided with a two-in-one function＊, or a functionwhereby the power is turned off automatically if not usedfor a specified amount of time.

Minolta participates in the international Energy Starprogram that aim to popularize the use of energy-savingOA equipment, and is doing our best to make ourproducts energy-saving.

In fiscal 2000, 25 models of Minolta products includingCF1501/CF2001 copiers and printers have beenregistered as complying with Energy Star standards.

Japan's Law on Promoting Green Purchasing (LawConcerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and otherEntities) was enforced in April 2001. The government hastaken the initiative to encourage purchase ofenvironment-conscious products such as energy-efficientproducts. Minolta copiers, printers and fax machines havebeen registered as special procurement products under theJapan's Law on Promoting Green Purchasing.

＊"Two-in-one" is a function that reduces two originals and prints them on a single page, thereby reducing consumption of both power and paper.

◆Energy-saving Products［Use of mixed freight among domestic distributioncenters］In October 1997, Minolta centralized distribution

centers for our domestic sales in Toyokawa, Osaka,Tokyo, Sapporo and Fukuoka.

We used this as an opportunity to switch from eachdepartment transporting merchandise among centers tointegrated transportation. Instead of sorting andtransporting each product, image information productand its consumables, and optical product are all shippedtogether to reduce trucking distance.

As a result, about 315,000km of travel distance per yearin comparison with fiscal 1996 was reduced, enabling usto avoid producing about 230 tons of CO2 emission.

［Shared transport of camera］Since fiscal 1997, Minolta has employed a system ofsharing transport with five other camera manufacturers.With this system, cameras, lens and accessories areshipped together from distribution centers in Tokyo toretailers. Moreover, items that need to be repaired can bepicked up at the same time.

The system has substantially reduced the number ofdelivery vehicles required. Along with shortening theamount of time it takes to make delivery at retail outlets,it has also reduced the amount of fuel required fortransportation.

By using the system, about 29,000km of travel distanceper year in comparison with fiscal 1996 was reduced,enabling us to avoid producing about 9 tons of CO2

emission.

［Image information product recovery］Minolta utilizes delivery vehicles to pick up used productson their way back from deliveries and the exchange centerof the Japan Business Machine Makers Association(JBMA) to make distribution more efficient and reduceCO2 emission.

◆Distribution Energy Reduction

Energy SavingsTo prevent global warming, Minolta is working to reduce distribution energy and developing products thatconsume less electric power when used.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Along with promoting development of elemental technologies for reducing power consumption, provide OA equipment that continuously meets international Energy Star program standards.

25 models of copiers, printers and fax machines have met standards.

Product-Related Initiatives

International Energy Star Program logo

R

21

Prod

uctA

sses

smen

t/Env

ironm

enta

lTec

hnol

ogy

Deve

lopm

ent

Product AssessmentMinolta makes effort to improve environmental performance of our products by constructing a productassessment system that covers all areas of our operations.

Minolta established ecological standards (ECOS) andguidelines for recycle design and a guidebook of recyclablematerials for our image information product in 1995 and1998 respectively. The guidelines include markingmaterial identification on plastic used, reconsideringfastening method to reduce the number of screws usedand easy disassembly.

In fiscal 1999, we established newproduct assessment guideline thatcan be applied to all product fields inaccordance with changes inenvironmental regulations and socialtrends. The guideline applies toproducts of the Minolta Group andour packaging.

The product assessment system wasconstructed in 2000 based on thisguideline, and is to be used to assessimage information product, opticalproduct, optical system devices,

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Systematically prepare and introduce a product assessment system at the design stage.

Product assessment system has been introduced and is operating in all areas of company operations.

◆Product Assessment System

◆Chiral NematicLiquid Crystal（CN liquid crystal）

Minolta has developed two types of ReusableMedia sheets that can be used in place of paper,and is now developing on a machine that cleansthe sheets so they can be used again.

［Water swelling layer type］This type is provided with a water swelling layertype that enables toner to be removed by dippinginto water. Once dried, the sheet can be usedagain. In addition to toner, the sheets can berecycled after being written on with ordinary felt-tip pens and markers.

◆Reusable Media

Environmental Technology DevelopmentMinolta is furthering development of technology, such as paper substitute chiral numatic liquid crystal andreusable media, which contributes to environmental preservation.

radiometric instrument, planetariums and R&D productsprior to being placed into production stage.

PC

Digital data

CN liquid crystal

Printer

Conventionalmedia

Waste

CO2↑

Desktop

Information

Office Society

Recycle

Reuse

Recycle

Reuse

Recyclingplant

Reusable media

Cleaningmachine

Media reuse

system

■Assessment flow

Manufacturingbases

Product assessment (product workmanship assessment)

Product �planning Design

(Parts supplier)Parts

manufacture

Public disclosure of Type I and Type III environmental label

Database

Minolta development/design bases

Clarification of requirements

Manufacturing SalesParts �procurement

Prototype�fabrication

〈Green procurement〉�Parts supplier selection/�evaluation of parts

［Micro-wall type］The media is equipped with fine indentations on itssurface that retain toner. Doesn't require thermal fixing, soit considerably reduces power consumption for copiersand printers. The media can be reused after toner isremoved with a brush.

Minolta has developed a new type of full color displayelement, chiral nematic liquid crystal. The liquid crystal isable to retain an input image without powerconsumption. The substance doesn't require a back light,so it considerably reduces power consumption comparedto existing displays.

This technology holds promise as a substitute mediumfor paper, and is expected to be used for electronic books,newspapers, bulletin boards, etc.

■Reuse system

Standards for deciding environment-conscious productsare drawn up and certified by a third party, so they maydiffer from country to country. Minolta has been certifiedto use the following Type I environmental labels:

［Eco Mark：Japan］Minolta was certified to use the label for12 copier models in fiscal 2000.

［Nordic Swan：5 countries of North Europe＊］

Minolta was certified to use the label forDi550 and Di450 copiers in fiscal 2000.＊Norway, Sweden, Finland, Iceland, Denmark

［Blue Angel Mark：Germany］Minolta was the first copier manufacturerto be certified to use the Blue Angel markin 1992, and has continued to be certifiedto use the mark in Europe ever since. Fivemodels were added in fiscal 2000 for atotal of 28 models certified to use the mark.

22

EnvironmentalLabeling/Products

thatContributeto

theEnvironm

ent

◆Type I Environmental Label

Environmental LabelingEnvironmental labeling shows that the product is environment conscious, and can be the basis for the customer'sdecision when purchasing. Minolta products disclose environmental information by these labels.

●Medium -Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Establish standards for Type III environmental labels by the end of fiscal 2001.

Standards have been established and data disclosed for a total of 5 models.

［Non-contact Infrared (IR) thermometers］A non-contact IR thermometer is a product thatdetermines temperature of an object by measuringinfrared energy emination from the object. Dioxin caneasily be produced if the incinerator temperature is toolow. To prevent this, waste mustbe incinerated at a high enoughtemperature. Temperature canbe monitored by a non-contactIR thermometer to keep dioxinfrom being produced. Thedevice is sold to localgovernments, throughincinerator manufacturers.

◆Radiometric instrumentsPlanetariums teach adults as well as children the beauty ofour planet, the magnitude of the environment, and theimportance of existing in harmony with each other."Kana-chan's AmazingExpedition- The Birthof the Earth" spreadsthe word aboutpreserving the globalenvironment.

◆Planetariums

Products that Contribute to the EnvironmentMinolta radiometric instruments that contribute to various fields of environmental preservation. The importance ofthe environment is demonstrated through projection programs in planetariums.

Type III environmental label provides quantitative dataconcerning the environmental impact by the productduring its entire life cycle. Minolta disclosed thisinformation concerning our copiers to the public on ourJapanese Web site in June 2000. As of March 2001, wehave disclosed information concerning Di180, Di250,Di350, Di450 and Di550.

Data conforming to the program promoted by JapanEnvironmental Management Association for Industry(JEMAI Program Ver. 1) such as calculation ofenvironmental impact by not only the copier itself, butalso by themanufacturing processof consumables (toner,photoconductors, etc.)has been totaled in theextensive range.

Because the JEMAIprogram revised to Ver.2 in April 2001,Minolta will disclosethe label with newstandards.

The data will be fedback internally andwill be used to reduceenvironmental impactthroughout all theproduct life cycle.

◆Type III Environmental Label

Product-Related Initiatives

Type III Environmental Label for DiALTA Di550

TR-630 non-contact IR thermometer

MINOLTA GEMINISTAR

23

Redu

ctio

nof

Was

te

Reduction of Waste

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000・Reduce the amount of industrial waste disposal produced at Minolta manufacturing and R&D facilities by the end of fiscal 2003. 　Manufacturing and R&D facilities: 70% reduction (compared with fiscal 1996). Domestic manufacturing affiliates:50% reduction (compared with fiscal 1998).・Reduce waste disposal at a model facility to zero by the end of December 2000.

・Manufacturing and R&D facilities: Reduced by 79%.・Domestic manufacturing affiliates: Reduced by 59%.・Achieved at a total of 7 facilities, including model facilities (Mizuho Plant).

◆Reduction and Recycling of WasteMinolta has promoted recycling of industrial andordinary waste to achieve the targets of the Medium-TermEnvironmental Plan at our manufacturing and R&Dfacilities. The targets for fiscal 2000 rose from reductionof waste to zero of waste disposal, and company initiativeswere accelerated to achieve that target.

Based on the slogan "Even waste can be resources ifsorted," types of waste were subdivided. Enlisting thecooperation of recycling companies, we began recyclingcomplex waste, optical glass waste and used toner wastethat used to be incinerated or disposed of as landfill.

As a result, we were able to raise our industrial wasterecycling share at manufacturing and R&D facilities to83%. This was 325 tons of waste disposal, 1,213 tons lessthan disposed waste of in fiscal 1996.

Domestic manufacturing affiliates also raised therecycling share to 63%. This was 637 tons of wastedisposal, 526 tons less than in fiscal 1998. In either case,targets were achieved ahead of schedule.

The total amount of waste disposal including ordinarywaste was 1,058 tons for manufacturing, R&D facilitiesand domestic manufacturing affiliates - about 40% lessthan in fiscal 1999.

Facility-Related InitiativesTo reduce environmental impact by business activities, the Minolta Group is totally involvedin attempting to completely eliminate discharge of waste (zero waste) from our facilities. Wecontinue to ban or reduce use of specified chemicals while holding down energyconsumption.

Minolta Group is endeavoring to reduce industrial waste disposal by promoting waste sorting for efficientrecycling of industrial waste.

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

0

1000

2000

3000

4000

2003

2003

Target

Target

2002200120001999199819971996

2002200120001999199819971996

Disposed

Tota

l was

te

Rec

yclin

g sh

are

Tota

l was

te

Rec

yclin

g sh

are

Recycled

Disposed Recycled

0

25

50

75

100Unit: %

Recycling share

Recycling share

Unit: Tons

0

25

50

75

100Unit: %Unit: Tons

Total waste: 5,208 tons

4,150 tonsrecycled (79.7%)

1,058 tonsdisposed waste(20.3%)

Ordinary waste2.0%Other: 0.7%Waste alkaline: 0.2%Waste oil: 0.7%Waste glass: 1.0%Waste metal: 1.1%

Waste acid: 2.1

Sludge:5.6%

Waste plastic:6.9%

■Industrial waste volume and recycling share

■Breakdown of total waste (fiscal 2000)

＜Manufacturing and R&D facilities＞

■Industrial waste volume and recycling share

＜Domestic manufacturing affiliates＞

Facility-Related Initiatives

24

ReductionofW

aste

Since fiscal 1999, Minolta has been working to realizezero waste discharge from our Mizuho Plant.

The initiative was expanded to other facilities in fiscal2000, and as a result, zero waste discharge was achieved at7 facilities.

We aim to achieve zero waste discharge at all of ourdomestic manufacturing and R&D facilities during fiscal2001.

■Recycling of discharged waste (Mizuho Plant)

◆Efforts to Zero Waste Discharge

Mizuho Plant Itami PlantToyokawa Administrative CenterMiki Minolta Industries Co., Ltd.Aoi Camera Co., Ltd.Sakai OperationsTechnical Center

Sep. 1, 2000Sep. 25, 2000Mar. 27, 2001Mar. 27, 2001Mar. 28, 2001Mar. 30, 2001Mar. 30, 2001

■Minolta's philosophy concerning zero waste discharge facilities being achieved

The following 3 conditions must be met concerning allapplicable waste to be recycled through outsidecontractors:

1. Contractors must sign a contract stating they are capable of recycling the waste in question.

2. The contractor must have a technically feasible way to recycle the waste in question. Minolta confirming thefact.

3. Waste shall be discharged from facilities based on the contract.

◇PCBs

A total of 1,660KVA of PCB-containing capacitors arestored and controlled at 6 facilities of the domestic group.Minolta is considering ways to detoxify them. A survey of fluorescent and mercury lamps that use

stabilizers containing PCBs shows that a total of 1,351

lamps were beingused. The Groupplans to change all of these lamps for non-PCB type duringfiscal 2001.

Type of waste Classification Recycling method

Used paper

Trash paper

Tree waste/leaves

Metal

Plastics

Other

Recyclable paper

Paper difficult to recycle

Miscellaneous trash

Wooden pallets / cuttings

Plant/tree waste

Iron, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, steel cans, aluminum cans

Aluminum assembled parts

Motor clutch

IC chips, printed circuit boards

Soft plastics such asPE and PPHard plastics such asABS and PS

Polystyrene foam

PVC

Urethane foam

Glass(original glass plate, bottles)

Glass (mirrors, lens)

Fluorescent lamps

BatteriesVinylchloride sheathediron pipes

Waste oil

Recycled as paper

Shredded and convertedto solid fuel

Thermal recycledShredded and convertedto pulp

Converted to compost

Recycled as metal

Shredded and convertedto solid fuelRecycled as material /thermal recycledShredded and convertedto building materialsMelted and converted topellets

Shredded and reused

Shredded and reused

Shredded and convertedto ornamentationShredded and materialrecycledShredded and recycled asmetal

Recycled as metal

Boiler fuel

PCB storage

●Examples of zero waste discharge

[Mizuho Plant]Waste discharged from the Mizuho Plant, whichassembles copiers and printers, is composed mainly ofplastic parts, packaging materials and metal parts.At theend of fiscal 1999, 96% of the total discharge wasrecycled. In fiscal 2000, remaining complex wastecomposed of metal and plastic was completelydisassembled and sorted according to type at eachdivisions of the plant. By determining the best way torecycle according to characteristics, waste discharge wascompletely eliminated.

[Itami Plant]At the Itami Plant, which produces toner,photoconductors and optical glass, waste glass rubbishand firebricks have been difficult to recycle.

Because of its characteristics, optical glass cannot easilybe recycled like conventional glass such as empty bottles.By tying up with companies having technical capabilitiesto do so, the glass is now able to be used these materials asindirect materials for adjusting melting viscosity whensmelting.

By scraping the glass off firebricks for electric furnacesused for melting glass, the glass can be separated from thefirebricks for both to be recycled.

The Itami Plant is the first optical glass manufacturingplant in Japan that has achieved zero waste discharge.

Sorting (Itami Plant)

■Zero waste discharge facilities and date of achievement

25

Chem

ical

sM

anag

emen

t

Chemicals ManagementMinolta manages chemical substances used at our facilities quantitatively. For environment-harmfulsubstances, we promote banning or reduction and diverse ways to convert to more safety substances.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000・Ban the use of specified substances. Manufacturing and R&D facilities:By end of December 2000 Domestic/overseas manufacturing affiliates: By end of fiscal 2002・Start in operation of chemicals management system. Manufacturing and R&D facilities: Fiscal 2000 Domestic/overseas affiliates: Fiscal 2001

・Use banned at all Minolta facilities in January 2001.・Plan established for banning/reducing use of specified chemicals at domestic/overseas affiliates.・Chemicals management system implemented at manufacturing/R&D facilities and domestic/overseas manufacturing affiliates.

◆Chemicals Management

Minolta introduced a system of managing all chemicalsused at our company, including those specified by thePRTR Law＊, in fiscal 1999. In fiscal 2000, we begantraining system managers at our facilities and affiliates tocomply with the PRTR Law. Doing so makes possiblequick totaling of amount of chemical substances handled,discharged and transported, and further enhances internalmanagement of chemical substances.

Of those chemicals specified by the PRTR Law (354substance groups) in quantities of 0.1 ton or more, elevenare handled at Minolta. In fiscal 2000, 3.92 tons of thesubstances were released into the environment. Thebreakdown is given in the table on page 26. Because thesubstances were totaled in accordance with the PRTRLaw in fiscal 2000, the number of applicable substanceswas less than that of fiscal 1999. Compared with theresults of totaling the results of fiscal 1999 by targetsubstances, about 15% less of the substances werehandled and 50% less were released into the environment.Promoting a ban on specified organic chlorinatedcompounds that had been released into the environmentin large quantities contributed largely to this. The amountof these substances recycled was largely increased toaccelerate the effort to achieve zero waste discharge.

＊PRTR Law: The commonly used appellation for Japan's Law Concerning the Promotion of Improvement in the Measurement of Releases of Specified Chemicals into the Environment and in the Management of those SpecifiedChemicals.

◆Ban of the Use of Chemicals that Cause Ozone Layer Depletion, Global Warming and Soil and Ground Water Pollution

Minolta has banned the manufacture and experimentaluse of specified organic chlorinated compounds＊ atMinolta manufacturing/R&D facilities in January 2001.

We have also established the VOC Working Group,which is drafting plans for reducing tetrachloroethylene,dichloromethane, HCFC and PFC as of April 1999(Medium-Term Environmental Plan published) on acompanywide basis.

Because of their superior cleaning performance, thesesubstances were indispensable, such as for precise cleaningof lens. With the cooperation of solvent manufacturers,cleaning technology using substitute solvents withequivalent cleaning performance was developed, thusenabling the company to ban the use of such chemicals.

＊Substances that contribute to ozone layer depletion stipulated by the Montreal Protocol, substances that contribute to global warming (greenhouse gases) stipulated by the Kyoto Protocol adopted by COP3, and soil and ground water contaminants for which soil and ground water standards have been established. Use of specified chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane was banned by Minolta in March 1993 before the international agreement date (end of 1995). We have banned trichloroethylene, soil and ground water contaminant, before 1990.

Specified Substance

Ground water contaminants regulated by Water Pollution Control Law

Substances regulated by Ozone Layer Protection Law

Substances regulated by Law Concerning the Promotion of the Measuresto Cope with Global Warming

Tetrachloroethylene Component cleaning May 2000

Dec. 2000

Sep. 2000

Dec. 2000

Jan. 2001

Component cleaning

Component cleaning

Dispersant

HCFC141b

HCFC225

PFCs

Application Date banned

Dichloromethane Peeling, tool cleaning,bonding

■Banned chemicals

Substances banned prior to April 1999 have been omitted.

Chemicals management system screen

26

Chemicals

Managem

ent

◆Voluntary Management of EmissionsMinolta has established voluntary standards for observinglegal standards for air and water quality, and has beenmanaging chemical emission from our manufacturing andR&D facilities since fiscal 2000. Management values areset at each facility in accordance with the voluntarystandards. Along with regularly monitoring chemicalemission to air and water, we maintain related facilitiessuch as boilers and drainage treatment equipment.

In Sakai Operations, several parts are treated withchromates. Because chrome in wastewater may beoxidized into hexavalent chromium for some reason, bymaking all chrome-contained substances monitored inwastewater instead of single chrome monitored, legalstandards are strictly observed. If the values happen to beexceeded, the flow is stopped and wastewater is re-treated.After confirming the measurements are below themanagement values, flow is resumed.

Boron, one of the substances specified by the PRTRLaw, is used at Itami Plant for producing optical glass.The majority are contained in products as safecompounds, but it is unavoidably discharged with

Chemical Volume handled

Release into the environment Transferredas waste

Consumedas product

Removed/treated Air

Antimony and its compounds

1,4-dioxane

1, 1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b)

Dichloropentafluoropropane (HCFC-225)

Dichloromethane

Tetrachloroethylene

Toluene

Lead and its compounds

Barium and its water-soluble compounds

Arsenic and its inorganic compounds

Boron and its compounds

Total

0.83

2.02

0.20

0.20

14.47

1.47

0.32

16.58

11.76

0.13

14.34

62.32

0.00

0.40

0.20

0.04

2.59

0.33

0.32

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.02

3.92

0.00

0.40

0.20

0.04

2.59

0.33

0.32

0.01

0.01

0.00

0.02

3.92

0.59

1.62

0.00

0.00

5.00

0.00

0.00

1.70

1.23

0.02

1.53

11.69

0.24

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

7.90

5.60

0.06

6.83

20.63

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

25

113

132

144

145

200

227

230

243

252

304

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.00

0.16

6.88

1.14

0.00

6.97

4.92

0.05

5.96

26.08

Water Soil

PRTRNo. Subtotal

Recycled

Unit: Tons

Facility-Related Initiatives

■Results of PRTR survey (Minolta facilities)

■Released/transfer of substance specified by PRTRLaw （Minolta facilities / Unit: Tons）

Volume handled62.32

Emission to air3.92

Removed0.00

Shipped as product20.63

Transferred as waste11.69

Recycled26.08

Discharged into soil0.00

Discharged into water0.00

Boron recycling equipment (Itami Plant)

wastewater. We have therefore installed boron recyclingequipment to recover the substance from wastewater andrecycle it. The recycling equipment is scheduled to beginfull operation around the summer of 2001. Theequipment will realize closed recycling of wastewatercontaining boron, and is expected to completely eliminatetransfer of boron as waste. By completely recoveringboron, we can effectively save about 30,000 tons of waterper year.

Minolta is working on suppressing noise and vibrationmade by our facilities by monitoring them andperforming regular maintenance on our equipment. Weare considering additional countermeasures to preventnoise at Toyokawa Plant and at Toyohashi PrecisionProducts Co., Ltd., where this could not be carried out infiscal 2000.

Please refer to our Web site for information on theperformance of our facilities concerning air and waterquality, noise and vibration.(URL: http://www.minolta.com)

Only chemical handled in 0.1t or more are listed.

0

5000

10000

15000

20000

Energy consumption per sales unit(with 1997 as 100)

Minolta manufacturing and R&D facilities Minolta administrative facilities Domestic manufacturing affiliates

Domestic administrative affiliates Overseas manufacturing affiliates Energy consumption per sales unit

0

10000

20000

30000

40000

50000

60000

70000

80000[t-CO2]

'03(Target)

'02'01'00'99'98'97

'00'99'98'97'96'95'94

[Crude oil conversion k ]

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

16027

Ener

gySa

ving

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Restore energy consumption to the 1997 level each fiscal year up to 2003 (crude oil conversion).

Increased 15% for Minolta Group overall.

The groups as a whole used approximately 44,000k ofenergy in fiscal 2000 (crude oil conversion), a 15%increase over fiscal 1997. We made efforts to reduceenergy consumption by introducing demand control(automatic on/off control based on power demandforecast), upgrading to inverters for lighting, andswitching to air-conditioning that allows the user toswitch temperature setting for each block. An increase inmanufacturing of toner and hard disk substrates, however,increased the amount of energy consumed.

By implementing measures such as reviewing of air-conditioning operation rules at administration facilities,8% was reduced compared to fiscal 1997.

◆Reduction of Energy Consumption［Itami Plant］

By implementing demand control in April 2000, ItamiPlant was able to save 380,000 kWh per year. To reduceenergy loss when receiving electrical power, the plantswitched to energy-efficient transformers in January 2001.It is expected to save 210,000 kWh per year.

［Aoi Camera Co., Ltd.］Aoi Camera Co., Ltd., introduced an ice-based heatstorage air-conditioning system (Eco Ice) in fiscal 2000.The system uses nighttime power for air-conditioningduring the day, and contributes to leveling off electricpower supply.

［Mizuho Plant］Along with upgrading lighting at administrative divisionto inverter type (high-efficiency fluorescent lighting),illumination layout was improved in September 2000.This is expected to save about 70,000 kWh per year.

◆Energy Reduction Examples

［Itami Plant］Energy consumption is expected to increase along withhigher demand for compressed air when increasingmanufacturing volume. Electric compressed airmanufacturing equipment was therefore replaced by gasengine type. This enables hot water that accounts forabout 41% of the heat discharged during compressed airmanufacturing to be recovered and used as a source of heatfor air-conditioning. By doing so, the plant succeeded inraising total efficiency from 42% to 78%.

This example received the Chairman's Award of theNational Committee's Energy Savings Presentationsponsored by the Energy Conservation Center Japan inFebruary 2001.

◆Example of Energy Efficiency Using Discharged Heat

Energy SavingMinolta strives to conserve electricity and fuel at our facilities to use resources more efficiently and reduce theamount of CO2 emmission and thereby help prevent global warming.

Compressors40％

Heatrecovery

2％

Waste heat, etc.58％

Exhaust, etc.21.8％

Electricity100％

Total efficiency42％

Total efficiency78.2％

Gas100％

Compressors37％

Hot waterrecovery41.2％

Facility-Related Initiatives

■ Comparison of total energy efficiency■CO2 emission＊1 (Minolta Group)

■Energy consumption（crude oil conversion＊1）and energy consumption per sales unit＊2

＊1）Energy consumption figures are calculated based on the crude oil conservation coefficient of the Law Concerning the Rational Use of Energy.

＊2）Energy consumption per sales unit are calculated by dividing net sales. The figure for energy consumption represents energy consumed at Minolta manufacturing and R&D facilities only.

＊1）Calculated by CO2 conversion (t-CO2). The CO2 emission conversion coefficient is used for calculating CO2 generated by electric power consumption in the electric and electronics industries.

28

Information

Disclosure

Information DisclosureNow that companies are severely required about their commitment to environmental issues, Minolta's policy is todisclose easy-to-comprehend information based on fact to the public.

●Medium-Term Environmental Plan ●Achievement of Targets for Fiscal 2000Regularly issue an environmental report each year.

The 2000 version of the environmental report (results of fiscal 1999) was issued in June 2000.

CommunicationMinolta considers communication with our stakeholders to be of utmost importance, andcarries out various activities to promote such communication. Each and every employee isinvolved in environmental activities based on this philosophy.

◆Environmental Report

The Eco Products 2000 exhibition of environment-conscious products was held at the Tokyo Big Site inDecember 2000. The exhibition provided an opportunityfor Minolta to demonstrate our environmental expertisethrough technology exhibits and presentations ofenvironment-conscious products. The exhibited items canstill be seen at the Toyokawa Administrative Center.

◆Eco Products 2000

The Minolta Nature Photo Contest was started last yearto convey the beauty of nature through photographs. Thisyear about 9,000 photos from all over the country wereentered in the contest. Minolta has also collaborated withthe Environmental Photo Contest sponsored by thePresident Co., Ltd. With "light and color" as its theme,1,145 photos were entered in the contest.

The winning photographs were used for the 2001Minolta calendar. Minolta has also quit using metalfasteners for its strip. The calendar is printed on recycledpaper using soy ink.

In this way, Minolta uses contests and calendars to getacross our message concerning the global environment.

◆Environmental Photo Contest

To more broadly disseminate information on ourenvironmental preservation activities, Minolta revised thecontents of the environmental section of our Web site inSeptember 2000. In Japanese Web site, along withmaking the information easier to read by providing amenu of topics,information isconstantlyupdated toprovide thelatestinformation.

◆Environmental Web Site

Okareimei, the winner of the Minolta Prize for theEnvironmental Photo Contest 2001 (By MasamiShiraishi)

Minolta booth

Environmental reports

Calendar

Minolta Web site

The informative environmental report was issued inEnglish and Japanese in June 2000. The report has servedto realize two-way communication with others, andsuggestions from readers have been utilized inenvironmental activities.

Some of Minolta's facilities have created environmentalleaflets that give our policy and targets concerning theenvironment and tell what we are doing about theenvironment. The leaflet also tells visitors aboutenvironmental activities of the facilities.

29

Coop

erat

ing

with

Com

mun

ities

Cooperating with CommunitiesMinolta contributes to local communities through various activities. For example, we support the efforts of localcompanies to obtain ISO 14001 certification and organize visits to our facilities for local residents.

In fiscal 2000, Minolta has supported acquisition of ISO14001 certification for other companies, two of whichhave successfully been certified. Minolta employees taughta seminar on our ISO 14001 activities to promoteenvironmental preservation among local industries inMay 2000.

Minolta Lorraine S.A. (France) provided localcompanies with advice on how to obtain ISO 14001certification.

◆Support for Acquiring ISO 14001 Certification

To promote communication with local residents, Minoltahas organized visits to our facilities by local residents andto let them know about our business activities and toshare large quantities ofinformation concerningenvironmental preservation.Visits concerning ourefforts to achieve zero wastedischarge particularlyincreased in fiscal 2000. Wewere able to haveapproximately 1,600 peopleobserve our businessactivities.

Minolta held our environmental event for fiscal 2000 atthe summer festival that was open to the public at ourfacilities. The festival has provided an opportunity forpromoting friendship with local residents in the past. TheItami Plant participated in the recycle fair sponsored bythe city in October to let local residents know about theirenvironmental preservation activities.

Minolta Industries (HK) Ltd. (China) held an ecologyfair in October in which about 1,500 employees and localchildren participated. Running for a week, the fairconsisted of panel exhibits, an employee environmentalawareness survey and education.

A photo contest co-sponsored by the MinoltaCorporation (US) for local communities and schools washeld. With "nature" as its theme, the contest taught theimportance of nature through a camera lens.

Minolta Advance Technology Inc. (US) participates inmunicipal cleanup activities every year. Other companiesalso participate in local cleanup projects.

◆Activities with Local Communities

Minolta Industries (HK) Ltd. (China) and MinoltaAdvance Technology (US) donate test paper used forproduct quality inspections and repaired copiers used atthe company to local schools and NPOs for effectiveusage.

◆Effective Use of MaterialsZero waste discharge, ground water countermeasures, manufacturing activities,general business activities

Soil / ground water countermeasures,general business activities

ISO 14001,general business activities

Businesses, students,governmentofficials

Local residents,students

Businesses, students, local residents

Domestic affiliates

1,164

105

326

Types of visitors Targets of visitNo. of visitors

Minolta

Overseas affiliates

Communication

■ Visits to Minolta facilities (fiscal 2000)

Seminar for local industries

Visit to Minolta facilities (Sakai Operations)

Recycle fair(Itami Plant)

Suffern High School Photo Contest (Minolta Corporation)

◆Visits to Minolta Facilities by Local Residents

30

OverviewofFacilities

andAffiliates

OOvveerrvviieeww ooff FFaacciilliittiieess aanndd AAffffiilliiaatteessThe facilities and affiliates mentioned in this environmental report are as follows:

■Minolta Co., Ltd.

■Domestic Affiliate

■Overseas Affiliate

■　Head Office■　Tokyo Office■　Esaka Operations■　Technical Center ■　Advanced System Center Seishin■　Takatsuki Laboratory■　Toyokawa Development Center■　Mikawa Plant ■■Itami Plant �

■　Sakai Operations �■■Sayama Operations �

■■Toyokawa Plant■■Toyokawa Administrative Center�■■Mizuho Plant

■　Minolta Sales Co., Ltd.■　Aoi Camera Co., Ltd. ■　MYG Disk Corporation■　Okayama Minolta Seimitsu Co., Ltd.■　Sankei Precision Products Co., Ltd. �■　Toyohashi Precision Products Co., Ltd. ■　Nara Minolta Seiko Co., Ltd.■　Nankai Optical Co., Ltd.■　Miki Minolta Industries Co., Ltd.■　Minolta Components Co., Ltd. �■■Minolta Planetarium Co., Ltd. ■■�

■■Minolta Corporation (US)�

■■Minolta Europe GmbH (Germany) �

■　Minolta Advance Technology Inc. (US) ■　Minolta Industries (HK) Ltd. (China) ■　Minolta Lorraine S.A. (France)■　Minolta Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)�■■Minolta Precision Engineering (M) Sdn. Bhd. (Malaysia)■■Shanghai Minolta Optical Products Co., Ltd. (China) �■■Wuhan Minolta Office Automation Equipments Co., Ltd. (China)

Marketing of image information product and optical product in the United Sates Marketing of image information product andoptical product in EuropeManufacture of toner for copiersManufacture and management of image information productManufacture of toner and toner cartridges Manufacture of cameras Manufacture of camera parts, camera manufacturing design Design, manufacture and marketing of cameras in ChinaManufacture and marketing of copiers in China

TokyoAichi OsakaOkayama

Aichi AichiNaraWakayamaHyogo AichiOsakaAichi

Marketing of image information product and optical product in JapanManufacture of parts for image information product and optical product Manufacture of glass HD substrates Manufacture of optical product and parts for opticalproduct and image information product, camera repairManufacture of image information productManufacture of parts for image information product and optical product Manufacture of parts for optical equipmentManufacture of parts for optical product and optical unitsManufacture of toner for image information equipmentManufacture of parts for image information product and optical product Development, manufacturing and sales of planetariums

OsakaTokyoOsakaOsaka HyogoOsaka AichiAichiHyogo

OsakaOsaka

Aichi Aichi Aichi

Feb. 2001

Feb. 2001

Jan. 2001

June 2000

Feb. 2001

Mar. 2001

Mar. 2001

Mar. 2001

Nov. 1997

Apr. 1998

Mar. 1998

Mar. 2000

Oct. 1998

Nov. 1996

June 1999

Mar. 1999

Mar. 1999

Oct. 1999

Aug. 1999

Feb. 2000

Dec. 1998

Feb. 1999

Jan. 2001

Oct. 1998

June 1998

Mar. 2000

Sep. 1997

Aug. 1998

Aug. 1998

Nov. 1998

Mar. 2001

Corporate administrative functionsAdministrative functions, development of softwareAdministrative functions, development of softwareDevelopment and design of cameras, lens and digital photo productsDevelopment and promotion of information systemsResearch and development of fundamental technologiesDevelopment of image information product and industrial design Preparation for manufacture of image information product manufacturing design Manufacture of toner and photoconductors;manufacture of optical glass and HD board glassManufacture of cameras, lens, digital photo productsOptical development; development, manufacturing and sales of optical device units

Development and manufacture of radiometric instruments

Facility Location Activity ISO acquired

Domestic Affiliate Location Activity ISO acquired

Overseas Affiliate Activity IOS acquired

(Preparations being made)

(Preparations being made)

(Preparations being made)

(Planned in fiscal 2001)＊1

＊2

■Administrative unit　■Marketing unit　■R&D unit　■Manufacturing unit＊1）Certification activities now in progress due to move of MYG Disk Corporation, and base expansion.�＊2）ISO 14001 certification returned March 2001 due to facilities move.

■�

Development of component and precision machining technology

Manufacture of image information product

�

Minolta Co., Ltd.3-13 Azuchi-machi 2-chome, Chuo-ku

Osaka 541-8556, Japan

Quality & Ecology DivisionTel: (81)6-6386-6251Fax: (81)6-6386-6254

E-mail : ecology@minolta.co.jp

English URL: http://www.minolta.com/Japanese URL: http://www.minolta.co.jp/

Printed in Japan August 2001Next scheduled issuance: August 2002

Printed with ink made from �aroma-free soybean oil.

This report is printed on thepaper of utilizes 10% bagassefiber and 90% used-paper.