Together with the EnvironmentRecycling Resources

Promoting Circulation of Plastic Containers and Packaging Resources through Partnerships

Kao and Lion are reaching out beyond their corporate groups in an effort to recycle plastic refill containers and packaging (film packaging), aiming to realize a resource-circulating society.

To accelerate the adoption of recycling, building basic systems for resource collection and developing recycling technologies are indispensable. At the same time, it is necessary to change mindsets across society in cooperation with stakeholders, including consumers, with regard to, for example, sorting plastic packaging after product use.

To this end, we are conducting the following four activities.

1. Studying ways to sort and collect plastic film packaging in cooperation with consumers, government agencies and retailers.
2. Creating recycled materials and packaging quality design with consideration for usability in a wide range of products, ease of sorting and collection by consumers, and potential for use across companies or industries.
3. Studying ways to jointly use materials that are collected and recycled.
4. Engaging in promotional and educational activities that will foster greater understanding and cooperation regarding recycling among consumers.

Through the above activities, we are working to improve the economic efficiency of collection and recycling as a whole. First, we are launching collaborative RecyCreation* activities to sort and collect film packaging and raise awareness in cooperation with local residents. By doing so, we are sharing information about the technological hurdles to plastic film packaging recycling.

Going forward, we will advance RecyCreation activities. Furthermore, we are investigating ways to make containers more recyclable and developing technologies for the horizontal recycling of film packaging into new packaging with the aim of achieving a continuous cycle of plastic use.

These RecyCreation activities received the Selection Committee Chairman’s Commendation in the fiscal 2021 Good Practices of Consumer-Oriented Management Awards.

*“RecyCreation” denotes upcycling through which more enjoyable and improved products are developed and resulting in new value creation, rather than recycling materials for the purpose of reproducing the same types of materials. The concept of this initiative is “Throwing it away after use. We want to change this common practice.”

We have released a concept film presenting these initiatives

Youtube (Japanese)

In-store Collection of Used Refill Packs—Recycling Field Testing

RecyCreation activities launched at Ito-Yokado’s Hikifune Store (Sumida-ku, Tokyo) have now been expanded to 30 Welcia Pharmacy stores with the aim of field testing the sorted collection of film packaging from used refill packs. Under this initiative, a special collection box has been installed at the store to collect customers’ used refill packaging for such products as laundry detergents and shampoos. Going forward, we will continue to expand the scope of the project by collaborating with more municipalities, businesses and stores.

Overview of the Field Test

• Purpose
  To examine processes for the sorted collection of used refill packs in collaboration with consumers and retailers.
• Content
  To enhance consumers’ enthusiasm for recycling through RecyCreation. Through the test, we are collecting used refill packs for such products as detergents and shampoos at Ito-Yokado’s Hikifune Store and Welcia Pharmacy stores, studying effective collection systems and developing new recycling technology.

• Implementation period
  Starting from October 30, 2020
• Location of collection box for used refill packs
  Ito-Yokado’s Hikifune Store (Sumida-ku, Tokyo) and Welcia Pharmacy stores (eastern Tokyo and parts of Saitama) We will gradually expand this initiative to more locations.
• How to prepare and return a pack for collection
  1. Cut along the top of the pack to open it
  2. Rinse out the inside of the pack twice with water
  3. Shake off excess water and let dry
  4. Put in the collection box

We have released a concept film of how to wash a used refill packs

Youtube (Japanese)

Toothbrush Recycling Program

Since 2015, Lion has been implementing an initiative to collect and recycle used toothbrushes in cooperation with TerraCycle Japan. Many municipal governments and schools across Japan have taken part in this initiative. We will continue developing toothbrush recycling technologies and applications to expand the possibilities of recycled plastic.

About the Toothbrush Recycling Program

Program participation is very easy and free.

1. Register an account as an individual, school or other organization in advance
2. Set out collection boxes and collect used toothbrushes
3. A designated carrier will pick up the box by the second business day after a collection request is made
4. The toothbrushes will be reborn as new plastic products, such as planters, instead of being sent to a landfill or incinerator

Participants receive points according to the weight of the toothbrushes that they send. The points can be exchanged for plastic products produced through TerraCycle's recycling program or donated to a charity of the participant’s choice.