Storage conditions and disposal of PCB waste
 |
 |
|
|
Companies that keep polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) waste in storage are required to appropriately dispose of such waste by 2016 in compliance with the Law Concerning Special Measures Against PCB Waste (PCB Special Measures Law).
PCBs have been used for a variety of applications, such as insulating oil for electrical devices. After concerns were raised about their adverse effect on health and environmental pollution, their production and new use was prohibited in 1974.
Since then, maintenance progress of disposal facilities have meant that companies have continued to store PCB waste over the long term. In accordance with this law, however, Japan Environment Corporation (currently Japan Environmental Safety Corporation; hereinafter referred to as JESCO) has established or will establish five PCB waste disposal facilities in total throughout Japan to dispose of PCB waste under the supervision of the national government.
Respective business sites of the Ricoh Group have put PCB waste (including electronic devices that contain PCBs, such as capacitors and fluorescent light ballasts) and carbonless paper in airtight containers to prevent leakage, regularly examining them and keeping them in storage in an appropriate manner.
In fiscal 2006, fluorescent light ballasts no longer in use and devices containing low-concentration PCB* were stored appropriately in accordance with the PCB Special Measures Law.
The Ricoh Group has mapped out a plan consistent with the operational conditions of JESCO’s disposal facilities to complete the disposal of such waste by the end of fiscal 2010, and is making preparations to carry out the plan.
|
