Acceleration of recycling waste plastics from small household appliances: Establishing large-scale collection routes and an integrated resource circulation process through advanced sorting technologies

Mitsubishi Electric Corporation Future Ecology Co., Ltd. BIC CAMERA Inc. Veolia Japan GK digglue.Inc

Currently, the recycling of used small electronic devices aims to sort and recover metals with high resource value, such as iron, aluminum, and copper. As a result, the recycling rate of waste plastics from small household appliance is lower compared to the waste plastics recovered from the four items specified by the Household Appliance Recycling Law (refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and televisions). Approximately 80% of these waste plastics are processed through thermal recycling, which reuses the heat generated from combustion as energy.

Synthesizing Methanol from Carbon Dioxide Efficiently to Promote Carbon Circulation

SUMITOMO CHEMICAL Co., Ltd. Shimane University

・Shimane University develops basic research into catalysts and reaction processes to increase reaction yield in the methanol synthesis using carbon dioxide as a raw material.

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.).

Collaboration using the world's first new dissolution and separation recycling technology for the complete recycling of polystyrene.

FP Corporation DIC Corporation

In November 2020, DIC and FPCO announced plans to collaborate in the practical implementation of a closed-loop recycling system for polystyrene that maximizes the technologies, as well as the collection and recycling systems, of both companies. In this initiative, colored foamed trays will be recycled into new trays just like conventional white trays using a new dissolution and separation recycling technology, enabling a "tray-to-tray" recycling. Additionally, this effort aims to realize the closed-loop recycling that uses chemical recycling technology to recycle polystyrene to styrene monomer, which is the raw material for polystyrene.

Circulation platform “De, owaresenai Project”

DENTSU INC. DENTSU PROMOTION PLUS INC. Lawson, Inc. Meiji Co., Ltd. Nakadai Holdings, Inc.

The aim of the project is to confirm and identify issues related to changes in student awareness and behaviour in collection and recycling, as well as the effects of sales promotions, by utilising the circular platform developed by the Dentsu Group for the social implementation of the circular economy.

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.

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.

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.

Sumicle®, a polyethylene product for packages and containers that contributes to achieving horizontal recycling

SUMITOMO CHEMICAL Co., Ltd.

In order to achieve horizontal recycling of plastic packages and containers, it is desirable to unify the resin material types.

Collaborative research on recycling of PET plastics through chemical recycling

Kirin Holdings Company,Limited Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation Kirin Beverage Company,Limited

Kirin Holdings Company, Limited and Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Limited have launched a joint project in December 2020 to study and commercialize technologies for recycling PET through chemical recycling.

Study of Non-food Biomass Plastic Production from Pulp in Japan

Sojitz Corporation Oji Holdings Corporation

Sojitz Pla-net Corporation, a Sojitz subsidiary, will begin development of biomass plastics (polylactic acid and polyethylene) together with Oji Holdings Corporation, a project subsidized by Japan’s Ministry of the Environment to reduce CO2 emissions as part of its efforts to build a system to support recyclable plastics.

Chemical Recycling Business

Sojitz Corporation PET Refine Technology, Co., Ltd. JEPLAN, Inc.

Using its proprietary chemical recycling technology BRING™, JEPLAN and its subsidiary PRT are able to selectively extract the intermediate BHET (Bis(2-Hydroxyethyl) terephthalate) from PET, the material used to make PET bottles and polyester fabric.