B2-01 Demonstration project for improving plastic quality, optimizing transportation routes, and promoting behavioral change among consumers
Collaborating Organization
Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.
Research and Development Overview
This project aims to establish a scalable and cooperative plastic collection system based on in-store collection models, enabling stable procurement of high-quality recycled materials at low cost.
The project focuses on polypropylene (PP), while also addressing polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), integrating collection, recycling, and product application.
In addition, a chemical management guideline is being developed to ensure compliance and safety when applying recycled materials.
Furthermore, the project examines consumer behavioral change through workshops and in-store engagement, aiming to enhance social acceptance of circular economy practices.
Progress and Achievements
- Expansion of collection model
- Initiated collaborative collection with municipalities and other retailers
- Verified feasibility of high-quality PP recovery even from mixed-brand sources
- Institutionalization of recycled material usage
- Developed internal chemical management guidelines and conducted chemical testing.
- Established guidelines for procurement and quality assessment of recycled materials from domestic and overseas recyclers.
- Social implementation and acceptance
- Conducted participatory workshops and collected behavioral insights
- Identified consumer preferences such as price sensitivity and ease of participation
- Technical and business advancement
- Established a closed-loop process from collection to product application
- Demonstrated cost competitiveness of recycled materials
Challenges
- Sluggish growth in collection volume
- Contamination and sorting costs
- High cost of chemical testing
- Lack of quantitative evaluation methods for behavioral change