Zenbird Editorial TeamTiger Corporation has reached a milestone of recovering approximately 287,000 used bottles across Japan since 2021, creating a closed loop for disused bottles.
The company’s collection network has expanded to 515 locations nationwide, including municipal offices, schools, and partner retail stores. Building this infrastructure allows consumers to dispose of old vacuum insulated bottles that are otherwise difficult to sort through standard waste streams.
When stainless steel bottles are discarded as general waste, they are often mixed with other metals. This makes separation difficult and labour intensive. By placing dedicated collection boxes across their network, Tiger Corporation ensures that the recovered material remains high in purity. It reduces the burden on recycling specialists and allows efficient production of high quality raw materials.
The recycling process involves separating the bottle into its primary components. The stainless steel bodies are processed into raw steel for use in various new products. Meanwhile, the polypropylene resin from the stoppers is recycled into plastic pellets. These pellets are used to manufacture resin boxes for use within Tiger Corporation factories, closing the loop for the plastic components.
The firm also promotes a circular economy through its refurbished product line and a commitment to stocking repair parts for 10 years after a product is discontinued. These aim to extend product lifespans and minimise waste.
The company continues to seek new partnerships with local governments and businesses to expand the collection network. As the use of reusable bottles increases during the summer months, the firm encourages consumers to make use of the 515 collection points to ensure their old products are returned to the resource cycle.
[Reference] Tiger Corporation Newsroom (Japanese)
