Kobe Port Marine Plastic Recovery and Material Conversion Project

A Kobe Port project converting marine plastic waste collected at sea into 3D printer filament, construction materials, and consumer goods. In cooperation with port facilities, microplastics recovered from the boundary region of the Japan Sea and Seto Inland Sea are utilized. Maintains transparency throughout the entire supply chain and holds international certifications.

A project collecting drifting ocean plastic pollution and converting it into product materials like fibers and resins. Through collaboration between fishing communities and material manufacturers, it simultaneously prevents plastic outflow to marine ecosystems and enables resource circulation. Fashion and sports manufacturers increasingly adopt it, earning high international recognition as a circular economy model integrating marine conservation.

Japan's commitment to a circular economy promoting resource cycling. Systems promoting product reuse, recycling, and upcycling are embedded in society. Unique developments include the success of secondhand platforms like Mercari and resource recovery from urban mines.

Japan's secondhand goods market driven by Mercari, Yahoo Auctions, Book Off, and 2nd Street. The market reached approximately 3 trillion yen in 2023 and continues to expand annually. The high quality of Japanese products combined with careful usage and storage culture enhances secondhand value, attracting growing demand from overseas buyers.

Sorting and recycling systems for containers, packaging, appliances, and vehicles. Generational environmental education has created high public recycling awareness. Plastic bottle recovery rates exceed 90%, among the world's highest. Recognized as an example of corporate circular economy practice.

Expansion of secondhand goods market. Accelerated by mobile app platforms like Mercari. Spans clothing, books, and merchandise. Circular economy practice example. Primarily used by younger demographics. Achieves environmental responsibility and cost efficiency. Manifestation of sustainability culture.

Japan's secondhand market ranks among the world's largest. Through C2C platforms like Mercari and chain buyback stores like Second Street, transactions reach trillions in scale annually. From luxury goods to apparel, diverse products circulate. Established in a recycling-conscious society, the secondhand market realizes waste reduction and circular resource use, becoming a sustainable model.