Building the circulation-based model throughout the product life cycle by realizing and commercializing the recycling system of used disposable diaper

Unicharm Corporation Shibushi City,Kagoshima Prefecture Osaki Town, Soo District, Kagoshima Prefecture SORECYCLECENTER

In May 2016, Unicharm has joined the "Used Disposable Diaper Recycling Promotional Council" composed of 18 groups and individuals with an initiative of City of Shibushi, Kagoshima, and, on November 1, 2016, we entered into a three-way agreement with City of Shibushi and So Recycle Center on collection and recycling of used disposable diaper (The agreement was then expanded to four-way on April 2, 2018, as Osaki Town joined us.).

closed recycling system of label backing release liner" Resource Recycling Project"

Resource Recycling Project NEION Film Coatings Corp． TOYOBO CO., LTD. Shionogi Pharma Co., Ltd.

label backing release liner typically uses composite materials of paper and 　 resin, which　are generally difficult to recycle. As a result, they become a large amount of industrial waste and are incinerated. In this project, we replace these label backing release liner with release liner for recycling made from PET-based synthetic paper. After use, the release paper is collected as valuable materials and subjected to material recycling. By using the recycled material again as a raw material for release liner for recycling, we achieve Film-to-Film recycling. This will enable the social implementation of closed recycling system of label backing release liner.

Proof of Concept Promoting Reuse in Local Communities With Mercari, Yakult Sanyo, Akitakata City, and Miyoshi City

Mercari, Inc. Yakult Sanyo Inc. Akitakada City, Hiroshima Prefecture Miyoshi City, Hiroshima Prefecture

This is a collaborative project between Mercari, Inc., Yakult Sanyo Corporation, and Akitakata City and Miyoshi City of Hiroshima Prefecture. Together, we started a proof of concept where we collect usable items that people no longer need from Akitakata City and Miyoshi City and sell them on Mercari’s e-commerce platform Mercari Shops. So far, Mercari has partnered up with a total of 38 local governments across Japan (as of July 8, 2024) to sell their unwanted items on Mercari Shops.

Promoting Reuse together with the DIY store, local government, and residents

ECOMMIT Co.,Ltd. Saitama City CAINZ CORPORATION

In order to promote the local recycling-oriented society, Saitama City has held a slogan, “We work together and participate to create a recycling-oriented city Saitama)'', while CAINZ held “Let's all DIY the lives of the town (Kumimachi Plan)''.

Partnering with Saga City, tested incentive system for Local Resource Circulation

ECOMMIT Co.,Ltd. Saga City AEON KYUSHU Co., Ltd.

We signed the “Agreement on Collaboration on Environmentally-Friendly Local Resource Circulation, etc.'' with Saga City.

Bottle-to-Bottle Closed Loop Recycling Projects in 2022

Japan Soft Drink Association

Since 2020, beverage industry has implemented numerous activities to promote bottle-to-bottle recycling (Closed Loop Recycling) of PET Bottles. Our initiatives continue into 2022 where we continued promoting test events and educative activities focused on resource circulation and minimizing marine litter.

Upcycling of waste plastic in collaboration with local government

S.lab Inc.

・Members/roles Kamakura City: Collection of used plastic resources from citizens Keio University: Overall project management and raw material development, printing operation and design for 3D printing S.lab Inc.: Joint development and providing pellet type 3D printing equipment ・Points of collaboration We aim to upcycle used plastic materials which is collected from local communities with a high added-value 3D printer. We make it easier to carry out these activities by collaborating with local government. There are also many private companies that cooperate and provide technical assistance in our activities.

A new resource circulation model for office plastic waste in Tokyo

Terrarem Group Co., Ltd.

Tokyo Metropolitan and M.M. Plastic, as a pioneering in plastic material recycling, are collaborating with waste generators such as Mitsubishi Estate, Mitsui Fudosan, and Tokyu Land are conducting demonstration project.

About resource recycling of used ink cartridges

ecorica.inc

We have realized the first system in Japan to collect and reuse used cartridges of inkjet printers on a nationwide scale.

Bottle-to-Bottle Closed Loop Recycling Projects in 2021

Japan Soft Drink Association

In 2020, we implemented tests and educative activities with various stakeholders in Tokyo to promote bottle-to-bottle recycling, which means Closed Loop Recycling of PET Bottles.

Realization of a recycling-oriented society through solar power generation

Niimi Solar Company

Currently, various technologies are being used to recycle solar panels, but our "Solar Panel Pyrolysis Plant using Sakumoto’s Method" is the only technology in the world that can decompose organic matter without emitting carbon dioxide and extract high-purity materials from solar panels.

Eco-products Database

Green Purchasing Network (GPN)

The Eco-products Database is the largest database that discloses environmental information about products and services along the Green Purchasing Guidelines.