Sony is implementing a variety of measures to reduce waste and use materials more effectively in line with its targets to achieve an absolute reduction in waste at Sony sites of 50% or more from the fiscal year 2000 level and achieve a recycle rate of 99% or higher for global sites by fiscal year 2015.

In fiscal year 2011,waste at Sony sites totaled approximately 116,000 tons. This represents approximately 58% decline from the fiscal year 2000 level and is approximately 10% lower than in fiscal year 2010, and was achieved despite the impact of the Great East Japan Earthquake and other natural disasters. This decline was largely attributable to a reuse of packaging materials used when shipping parts-a major component of waste generated by production sites-and the promotion of reuse and recycling within the Sony Group, as well as to production adjustments and the closure and consolidation of sites, both consequences of the global economic downturn.

In fiscal year 2011, the recycling rate for all Sony Group sites was 90.0%. (Effective from fiscal year 2011, the scope of the calculation for the recycling rate has been expanded to include all sites.) The recycling of industrial waste remained on an upswing, while that for everyday waste was essentially level with fiscal year 2010. Going forward, Sony will provide meticulous guidance to its sites in an effort to boost its overall recycling rate.

Sony takes precautions to ensure waste from its sites is not inappropriately disposed of. For example, in Japan Sony has set consistent internal standards for selecting waste disposal firms and inspecting disposal sites on an ongoing basis. It has also established an internal system of accreditation for disposal site inspectors, and is stepping up efforts to minimize risks associated with contracting out waste disposal. In fiscal year 2010, Sony further reinforced this system by implementing periodic on-site inspections, thereby tightening waste management procedures, and selecting firms exhibiting superiority as determined using check sheets.