Initiatives for reducing environmental load

ARBIZ uses a highly accurate sorting and reuse system for the metals and plastics recovered from end-of-life vehicles, industrial waste and other scrap. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, ARBIZ had a waste rate (produced/receivables) of 6.0%, a metal recycling rate (metal shipment/receivables) of 52.4%, and an automotive recycling rate of 100%. ARBIZ has consistently maintained its status as an R2 certified electronics recyclers and refurbishers adhering to its guidelines since the fiscal year ended March 31, 2020.
The expansion of recycling businesses within corporate supply chains working to realize a circular economy will contribute even more to the circulation of resources. As a subsidiary of USS, Smart is growing as a business disposing of equipment and industrial plants, which reuses machinery and reclaims metal scarp.

Effective use of dust from automobile shredders

The process for recycling automobiles produces automotive shredder residue (ASR) after reclaiming air bags and other such parts. ASR contains metals, glass, ceramic, synthetic rubber, hard plastics and light dusts, such as foamed plastics and nonwoven textiles, in addition to other material residue.
ARBIZ has succeeded in mixing this dust with iron powder to create a substance that suppresses the formation of slag in blast furnaces. In addition, we have developed a thermo-reactor for a material incorporating aluminum smelting slag for raising the temperature of electric arc furnaces used for steelmaking. This process makes it possible to reuse about 3,800 tons of light dust every year.

We sort all waste materials produced at USS Group business sites as required by local regulations and other guidelines. USS selects contracts to dispose of waste using a rigorous examination process and checks manifests to ensure all waste materials are properly handled.

The USS Group does not require large volumes of water in its business activities. However, we do recognize the importance of water resources and adhere to strict protocols to conserve water on each business site. Our auto auction sites control wastewater using oil separation and purification tanks in accordance with laws and regulations to reduce any impact wastewater may have on the surrounding environment.

Energy conservation at auto auction sites

We use LED lights throughout the main building as well as in the customer parking facility and other locations. We are switching to LED lights at other auction sites, too. There are also investments to install more efficient air conditioning systems and make other improvements to cut energy requirements.
For the convenience of our members, we have added recharging facilities at some auction sites to serve the increasing number of electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles. We plan to install these recharging stations at more of our locations.
All of our auction sites use suppliers of electricity other than traditional utilities. Selections of electricity providers place priority on companies with a low reliance on fossil fuels. In addition, auction sites have numerous measures for the efficient use of energy.

A lower environmental impact for logistics

USS Group member US Butsuryu Co., Ltd. transports vehicles and provides other logistics services. The company has a desk at all auction sites where customers can arrange land and sea transportation. Providing this service is another way to offer customers greater convenience as well as to lower our environmental impact by using efficient logistics for reducing gas emissions associated with transporting vehicles.