How Japan Uniquely Recycles Plastic - Made in Japan

Summary

This video showcases how plastic food trays are recycled in Japan, specifically at the Ibaraki recycling factory operated by FPCO. The factory processes used trays collected from supermarkets and recycles them into reusable plastic pellets. Japan's recycling culture, ingrained from a young age, plays a crucial role in keeping this system efficient. The video emphasizes the importance of community cooperation, sorting, and cleaning trays before recycling. The host also shares insights into the workers' roles and highlights how this recycling process helps reduce CO2 emissions and waste.

Takeaways

• 🌍 Japan uses a significant amount of plastic, but efforts are made to recycle it effectively.
• 🏭 The video focuses on the Ibaraki recycling factory, one of Japan's largest plastic food container recyclers, specifically recycling food trays.
• 💡 FPCO was the first company to produce trade containers and has been recycling plastic trays since 1962.
• 🚛 Plastic food trays are collected from supermarket recycling bins across Japan and transported to the factory for recycling.
• 👷 The factory employs 960 workers, and 86% of them have disabilities, highlighting its inclusive workforce.
• ♻️ There are two main types of plastic trays: clear oriented polystyrene trays and softer styrofoam-like trays called polycyrene paper.
• 🧼 In Japan, plastic trays are washed and dried at home by individuals before being placed in recycling bins, which is essential for the recycling process.
• 👦 Japanese children are taught about recycling from a young age as part of their school routine.
• 🔥 The recycling process includes sorting, washing, shredding, and melting the trays into pellets, which are then reused to make new products.
• 🔬 Research is ongoing to recycle colored plastic trays into new trays, although they are currently used for other products like hangers and appliances.

Q & A

What is the main focus of the video?

The video focuses on how plastic food containers, particularly trays, are recycled in Japan, specifically at the Ibaraki recycling factory, operated by FPCO.

Who is FPCO and what role do they play in plastic recycling?

FPCO is a Japanese company that produces and recycles plastic food trays. They were the first company in the world to start a tray-to-tray recycling process and now operate factories throughout Japan.

How are plastic trays collected for recycling in Japan?

Plastic trays are collected at designated supermarket recycling bins. People wash and dry the trays at home before placing them in these bins, ensuring they are clean and ready for recycling.

What are the two main types of plastic trays mentioned in the video?

The two main types of plastic trays are clear trays made of oriented polystyrene and softer trays known as polycyrene paper, commonly referred to as styrofoam.

How does the sorting process work at the recycling factory?

At the factory, workers sort trays by material and color. They remove items that cannot be recycled and separate trays into categories such as clear, white, and colored for further processing.

What happens to the trays after they are sorted?

The sorted trays are cleaned and shredded into small pieces. These pieces are then melted and processed into plastic pellets, which can be used to create new trays or other products like hangers and appliances.

How does the recycling process contribute to environmental benefits?

Recycling plastic trays reduces CO2 emissions by 30%. FPCO recycles around 1.9 billion plastic trays annually, contributing to a significant reduction in plastic waste and environmental impact.

What percentage of Japan’s plastic waste is recycled according to the video?

Japan recycles about 20% of its plastic waste for reuse, as mentioned in the video.

How does the community contribute to the recycling process?

The recycling process relies heavily on community participation. People are responsible for washing and drying their plastic trays before recycling, ensuring that the trays are clean and ready for the recycling process.

What is unique about the workforce at the Ibaraki recycling factory?

Around 86% of the workforce at the Ibaraki factory consists of individuals with disabilities. The company emphasizes that the concentration and focus required for the sorting task make these individuals a valuable part of their workforce.