JR Kyushu marks 20 years of recycling train tickets into toilet paper

Kyushu Railway Company, als9 known as JR Kyushu, and Oita Paper Co., Ltd. have reached a 20-year milestone in their collaborative regional resource circulation project. Since 2005, the two companies have operated a closed-loop recycling system that transforms used train tickets and office paper into toilet paper.

The recycling process begins with the collection of used tickets and waste paper from JR Kyushu facilities. Oita Paper employs specific recycling technology to separate the magnetic material found on the back of train tickets. Once the magnetic layer is removed, the paper is dissolved and processed into toilet paper. This finished product is then supplied back to JR Kyushu Group locations, including railway stations, shopping centres, and hotels, closing the loop on the used tickets.

In the year 2022, the collaboration processed approximately 47 tonnes of used tickets. By diverting this paper from incineration, the programme achieves a significant reduction in environmental impact. Based on data from the Ministry of the Environment, the recycling of 47 tonnes of paper waste results in an annual reduction of approximately 36 tonnes of CO2 emissions.
Oita Paper operates under a management philosophy of developing alongside the local community. The company actively seeks to recover paper resources that are typically incinerated, aiming to establish a comprehensive regional recycling system. This approach aligns with JR Kyushu’s efforts to implement sustainable business practices across its transport and hospitality networks.

Both organisations intend to deepen their cooperation to support the transition toward a carbon-neutral society. As companies rooted in the Kyushu region, they remain committed to balancing environmental load reduction with the effective use of resources through their established circular economy framework.