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Nikkei Ecology

October 2006 Issue

Cover Story 1

Make best use of vegetable materials to depart from dependence on oil

Vegetable materials take off
The goal of the vegetable material development shifts from “biodegradable products” to “departure from dependence on oil”, driven by global warming and lower prices

Corn
Attention heightened as a material for polylactic acids while improved physical properties expand application possibilities substantially

Cassava
“Potato of the tropics” holds the key to dissemination of lactic acids for half the price of corn-derived acids

Nata de coco
A “dream-come-true nano fiber” spun by microbes gathers great attention for its strength five times that of steel

Bamboo
The “nuisance” plant in the past is now getting ready for full-scale production in the next fiscal year

Palm oil
Lower CO₂ emission is not the only effect of the palm-oil derived laundry soap; now the detergency is higher than petroleum-derived products

Banana, seaweed, hemp...
With a little creativity and craftsmanship, much more “waste plants” can become valuable resources

Report

Suggestion for the Revised Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances
The position of the law in the environmental policies needs to be articulated while the reviewing process should list up all the problems

Learn about Technologies

First Step in Technology
[Amorphous silicon solar cell] The next-generation solar cells are thin, light in weight, inexpensive and more efficient in energy conversion

Products
[White LED for general lighting fixtures] Getting ready to replace fluorescent tubes for general lighting fixtures as the luminous efficiency reaches the same level

Natural Energy
[Synchronized type wind power generation] The long established iron and steel company get seriously engaged in production of 2,000-kW high-technology wind mills

Fuel Cell
[MCFC with CO₂ recovery function] Coal-fired power generation with fuel cells concentrates and recovers CO₂

“Honor Students” in Recycling
[Fluorescent light] With 86,000 piece of tube-to-tube recycling, first net profit is made in fiscal 2005

Learn about Environmental Laws

Easy-to-Understand Environmental Law
[Critical eye on the Automobile Recycling Law Part 1] Where are the “the lost million cars”?

How to Read the Waste Disposal Law Part 9
Order to Take Measures

EU Regulations to Challenge Japanese Corporations Part 3
EuP Directive Part 2

Environmental Laws Q & A
How significant is the change to expand the scope of asbestos regulations?

This Month’s Environmental Law
Development of regulations for asbestos measures advances; revisions of the Waste Disposal Law and other regulations are enforced

Trend and News

Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances
Sharp is to start an LCD TV recycling plant to lead the field and establish a recycling system

Budgetary Request for Fiscal 2007
Japan’s government gets serious in promotion of bio fuels with a total request of 32.3 billion yen from the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and Ministry of the Environment (MOE)

Abnormal Weather Pattern
The westerly wind meanders in the north hemisphere to bring heat waves to Europe and North America while giving heavy rains to eastern Japan

Energy Conservation
“Make it visible” is the key for the “Green distribution in the Toyota way” to succeed in real reduction of CO₂ emission by 30%

Natural Energy
Is the growth slowing down in the solar cell market?

Social Contribution
Uniqlo is to start recycling all of its products

Measures against Global Warming
EPSON employs CO₂ reduction targets per-unit production, while technological innovation stagnates

Measures against Global Warming
What we can learn from the “ CO₂ rating of businesses” by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government?

Reuse
An association for PC recycling promotion is established

CSR Frontline

As an increasing number of warning signs for the global environment are seen, it may be a time to rethink what “sustainable development” means

Major players of CSR are facing serious problems but will not stop improving their systems


Climate Change Policies
Q and A to understand climate change policies

Q: How is the discussion on the environmental tax going and what significance would it make?
A: Discussion on the environmental tax resumes this year with more focus placed on budget than emission control


Learn about Environmental Issues

Truth and False of Environmental Science
[Electromagnetic wave] Is it bad for our health?

Threats Waiting around the Corner
This year’s expected lean harvest of beech nuts may force wild bears to make unhappy encounters with humans and sacrifice their lives

Junko Edahiro’s Eye-opening Facts on Environmental Terms in English
[peak oil]


Column

Kankan Gakugaku (Active Argument over Environmental Issues)
Masayoshi Takemura, former leader of the New Party Sakigake

Secret Tips for Environmental Management
What should be done when measures at a factory or office finds itself in a blind alley?

Cuisines of Japan
Globalization of tuna sashimi and the dinner tables in Japan

Honest opinions by the “Eco-Moms”
“Cool biz” at home

Artisanship in repairing
Toys (Toy Doctors)

The reality of NPOs
[KEEP (Kiyosato Educational Experiment Project)] Providing environmental education through experience in nature to train “nature interpreters in everyday life”

Report

Inside-Out
[50 years have passed since official acknowledgement of Minamata disease Part 2] An enormous volume of harmful industrial waste is still buried in Minamata

From BusinessWeek
Corn frenzy heats up further

WorldWatch Institute
Never-ending illegal export of waste electric and electronic equipments is making developing countries into graveyards of the electrical industry

ECO Seminar

How to Make the Best Use of ISO
[Yokoyama Shokai] Combined certification with the quality management certificate (ISO9001) increases sales of environment-friendly products

New Environmental Study
[Trend of latest CSR reports] CSR in main businesses are more emphasized

Quick Guide to Environmental Key Words
“Emissions trading”

World Trend

From EU
Bio fuels increase production fourfold in 5 years while attracting attention as an energy source that can be produced within the EU

From UK
National Allocation Plan for the second period is announced; Germany, the UK and the Netherlands show their eagerness to reduce emission

From USA
“Weigh-in-motion” system obviates truck engine idling and reduces CO₂

From Germany
Sustainability of the new bus system relies on public funds for operation

From China
Authorization for new coal liquefaction projects are frozen while investment risk increases