May 13, 2020
Bureau of Environment

Project launched to demonstrate the effective domestic use of waste plastic

As a result of the implementation of import regulations on waste plastic by China and various other Asian countries, there has been an increase in the amount of waste plastic disposed of domestically, as well as a rise in processing fees. The acceptance criteria of recycling facilities have also been tightened. Tokyo Metropolitan Government is launching a project in mid-May to demonstrate the effective domestic use of waste plastic in collaboration with industry organizations and the private sector. This project, which builds on TMG initiatives to promote reducing emissions, aims to develop new means of resource circulation for waste plastic.

1 Outline of the project

This project aims to demonstrate the effective use of waste plastic. Waste plastic from intermediary companies that dispose of industrial waste will be collected in Tokyo. It will then be transported to cement plants by ship or by other means, where it will be utilized as an alternative fuel to coal in the cement manufacturing process. By replacing coal with waste plastic, this project presents an effective use of waste plastic that also contributes to reducing CO2 emissions.

2 Implementation period (tentative)

From mid-May 2020 to the end of March 2022

3 Entry into an agreement

The following four parties have entered into an agreement with respect to the implementation of this project: Tokyo Environmental Public Service Corporation, Tokyo Industrial Waste Association, Taiheyo Cement Corporation, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.

The primary roles of the four parties:

• Tokyo Metropolitan Government: Providing land and evaluating the project’s effectiveness at developing domestic resource circulation
• Tokyo Environmental Public Service Corporation: Gathering together and trans-shipping plastic waste
• Tokyo Industrial Waste Association: Coordinating businesses participating in the project
• Taiheyo Cement Corporation: Receiving waste plastic at cement plants

Please click here to see the original Japanese press release.