Policy on Pollution and Resource Use

AEON MALL established an environmental management system that requires targets for each business unit to prevent pollution in a systemic manner. In this way, we continue to improve our environmental performance.
Further, we aim to create zero-emissions malls that will conserve global resources and lead to recycling-based societies.

Waste reduction and recycling

To reduce waste emitted from malls, it is important to clearly understand what is disposed of, where, and how much, while also engaging the help of tenants and making them aware of the issue. Each mall has a system to classify waste into 18 basic categories and measure weight by category. Each tenant measures the weight of waste by category, and then affixes a label indicating that the weight has been measured. Tenants then place waste in the location designated for each category for disposal. Segregated waste that is recyclable is recycled to the greatest extent possible. We calculate the recycling rate for each category.

Initiatives With External Parties to Reduce Pollution, Waste, and Raw Materials

In 2020, AEON MALL signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU^*) to cooperate with a beverage bottle recycling organization (PRO Vietnam) led by Vietnamese beverage manufacturers. The malls in Vietnam post announcements on digital signage at each mall to promote recycling.
The 138 AEON MALL shopping centers throughout Japan collected used apparel in collaboration with BRING™, which recycles used clothing into polyester raw materials. As part of the What Can We Do For The Earth? program, we collect used clothes from customers at malls, recycling certain items to reduce the amount of clothing discarded, even if new or still usable, and to reduce CO₂ emissions.

Reused products and packaging

When we construct malls, we strive to use resources effectively and control amounts of construction by-products. We also endeavor to reuse construction byproducts when possible.
With a few exceptions, charity collection boxes placed in stores are made of recycled PET bottles.

Percentage of business sites with environmental management system certification under ISO 14001

AEON MALL conducts an internal audit once every year to verify whether our Environmental Management System complies with AEON Group and ISO 14001 requirements. Audits also determine whether our environmental management system is implemented effectively and maintained.
Audit programs consider factors including the environmental importance of the operations in question, changes impacting the AEON Group, and the results of earlier audits.

Third-Party Assurance of Environmental Data

In FY2020, we contracted a third-party to verify waste emissions at 80 directly managed AEON MALL facilities. We will continue to enhance the reliability of our data and reduce waste emissions.

Total cost of environment-related fines and sanctions during fiscal year (parent company only)

We recorded no environment-related fines or sanctions.

Environmental law and regulation violations, examples

We recorded no violations concerning waste, PCBs, air pollution, chlorofluorocarbons, or soil pollution. Certain malls recorded water pollutants that exceeded the values allowed under the Sewerage Law. However, we enacted countermeasures through physical and systematic approaches.

Quantitative and Process Targets for Pollution Reduction/Avoidance Beyond Legally Mandated Minimums

We ensure that we are aware of laws, regulations, and local ordinances related to the environment. We also determine how these requirements apply to the environmental aspects of our organization.
In addition to the legal and ordinance standards, we have established our own standards at even stricter levels. We monitor and manage these standards at all business locations.

Waste emissions

Waste-Related Targets and Progress

In comparison to our target of an 80% or higher recycling rate for directly managed stores in Japan in fiscal 2020, our actual recycling rate was 88.7%. Excluding thermal recycling our recycling rate was 62.7%.
We have set a KPI to achieve a 70% recycling rate, excluding thermal recycling, by 2030.

Costs Related to Pollution, Waste, and Raw Materials

For fiscal 2020, we recorded costs of approximately ¥1.48 billion in waste treatment and recycling.

Emissions of liquid waste

AEON MALL does not discharge liquid waste on our own as a non-consolidated company. In addition, we use manifest slips to confirm that waste liquid from wax stripping discharged from specialty store tenants has been properly disposed.

Wastewater control

The AEON MALL Environmental Management Manual governs how we confirm compliance with laws and regulations, how we measure the results of operations, and how we report violations if they occur. In addition, each mall confirms the ordinances established by local governments. The AEON MALL environmental departments compile the information.
We examine each mall’s wastewater at least once every three months. We have set voluntary standards stricter than the legal criteria. If pollutants exceed what is allowed by these standards, we work to solve the problem via physical and systematic solutions as we strive to maintain and enhance our level of wastewater control.

Progress toward pollution targets