Power Products – actions

Honda Environment Declaration

"As a responsible member of society whose task lies in the preservation of the global environment, the company will make every effort to contribute to human health and the preservation of the global environment in each phase of its corporate activity. Only in this way will we be able to promote a successful future not only for our company but for the entire world."
- Established and Announced in June 1992
> http://world.honda.com/green/main.html

Product Technological Efficiency

Honda is firmly committed to environmental sustainability and takes a leading role in this activity. Honda has a policy of ensuring that not only the environmental impact of the product itself is considered, but also the impact of the design, manufacture, and disposal of the product during its life cycle. The Honda Lifecycle Assessment (LCA) System was established to quantify environmental impacts at each stage of its operations (and to take effective counter measures). Further information on this philosophy can be found at
> http://world.honda.com/environment/organizational-structure/lca-system

Supplier Initiatives

e-SPEC The "e-SPEC" mark symbolises environmentally responsible technologies applied to Honda power equipment, which contains the Honda wish to “preserve nature for generations to come”.

Honda General Purpose engines have cleared the Phase 2 emission standards of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the USA and the Tier II emission standards for California Air Resources Board (CARB), the most demanding in the world.

Honda Generators’ eco-throttle mechanism automatically controls the engine rpm according to the load of the device(s) being used. The mechanism reduces fuel consumption by 20% or more and achieves a noise level that is lowest in this class.

Unique recycled materials are utilised in Power Products; approximately 1,500 tons of nylon per annum is recycled from waste nylon nets that are used for salmon and trout fishing and processed into various plastic parts for BF15/20 outboard engines and muffler protectors for FG201 tillers.

In Europe, the Echo brand leads the market in sustainability. Echo environmental standards target sustainability responsibilities; for example, high level 2-stroke oil is specified, which operationally means less oil is used and less smoke results.

75% of Honda Power Products use 4-stroke technology.

Shipping and Packaging

The bulk of Honda Power Products' freight is by sea. In the area of packaging, various initiatives are employed such as placing spare parts in general stock boxes to reduce packaging materials and freight volume.

Both Honda and Echo use 100 percent recyclable cardboard packaging with the exception of a small component of plastic bags.

Corporate

  • Most vehicles in the Honda Power Products fleet have been changed from six cylinder utes to diesel operated vehicles
  • Timers have been installed at Honda Power Products premises to control electrical usage e.g. lighting and AC after hours to reduce power consumption
  • All computer screens have been changed from CRT's to flat screen LCD's in order to capture greater energy efficiency
  • All promotional and corporate print collateral is published on papers sourced from sustainable forests and processed in ISO 14001 (Environmental accreditation) factories, and printed using vegetable printing inks
  • A carbon footprint assessment of Honda Power Products has been completed
  • Honda Power Products use non-disposable materials such as teaspoons in their staff utility areas and glass and tin is recycled
  • Paper is recycled including envelopes, manila folders and magazines; printer locations and email sign-offs reflect a “think before you print” message. Hard copy marketing collateral is stream-lined to minimise paper usage
  • Printer toners and cartridges are recycled
  • Wherever possible, Honda Power Products uses Courier Post Eco Trakpaks as opposed to the standard plastic Trakpaks; they are made from 100% recycled materials and are also recyclable after use.

Tree Planting

Honda Power Products is currently investigating the best way to implement a tree planting programme to offset all remaining excess emissions and fully neutralise our carbon footprint. Following the carbon footprint assessment we will be able to quantify the number and type of trees required to neutralise our carbon footprint and will set a timetable to complete that project.