Honda’s 2024 environmental social governance (ESG) Data Book has outlined the automaker’s plans for increased recycling efforts for future products and parts, such as batteries, bumpers and floor carpet mats.
The report states that Honda aims to take on the challenge in shifting to a recycling-oriented business that creates economic value while reducing consumption of limited resources. To achieve this, Honda is committed to creating an “ecosystem premised on recycling,” which includes selecting materials suitable for recycling, easy disassembly and separation design enabling the removal of high-quality scrap enabling stable procurement of recycled materials.
“Honda is committed to shifting to a recycling-oriented business that uses up products and parts throughout their entire life cycle and recycles them with high efficiency,” the report states. “Circular Design Honda is committed to creating a system premised on recycling, which includes the selection of materials suitable for recycling, easy disassembly and separation design that enables the removal of high-quality scrap, and stable procurement of recycled materials.”
In April of this year, Honda adopted a sustainable material, recycled PET, for the floor carpets in the N-VAN light vehicle. However, going forward, the company will gradually expand the number of vehicle models to which sustainable materials can be applied.
In the report, Honda also promotes a new initiative for batteries installed in light electric vehicles (EVs) scheduled to launch this year. This initiative will specifically include upgrading battery monitoring functions and conducting lifetime management through conversion from onboard use to stationary use.
“The battery monitoring function, which determines the state of deterioration of components and other factors, enables efficient use of resources and reduces the economic burden on automobile users,” the report says.
The “N-Van e” light EV scheduled for release in Japan in 2024 has been the focus of multiple recycling projects for the company.
