Kurage Rengo introduces new tool for effective microplastics beach cleaning

Last month, Kurage Rengo began selling the “Kurage Mark 5 S,” a beach cleaning tool designed specifically for marine microplastics. Available on their online shop, the new model is a stainless steel upgrade from its predecessor, “Kurage Mark 5 S,” and offers significant improvements in efficiency, durability, and user safety.

Microplastics, defined as plastic fragments smaller than 5 millimeters, pose a growing environmental threat. These include “primary microplastics,” intentionally produced in fine sizes for products like facial scrubs and toothpaste, and “secondary microplastics,” resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items. According to a survey conducted by Funabashi City in Chiba Prefecture and Nihon University College of Industrial Technology, up to 80,000 microplastic particles per square meter were found on some beaches. Collecting these tiny particles by hand or using traditional tools has proven to be laborious and inefficient.

Kurage Rengo’s new tool, the “Kurage Mark 5 S,” promises to tackle this challenge. With its stainless steel frame and polyethylene net, the device is lightweight at approximately 215 grams and can be used by children, making it accessible for family beach clean-ups. The tool’s design allows for roughly three times the amount of sand to be collected compared to conventional sieves, and its larger shaking surface improves sand filtering efficiency. In tests, the “Kurage Mark 5 S” collected microplastics about five times more efficiently than standard tools.

The product comes with a replacement net, an instruction manual, and rust removal paper. Proceeds from sales will fund ocean conservation efforts. Kurage Rengo emphasizes the responsible use of plastic despite its inclusion in the product’s materials. This is especially true when most marine litter originates from everyday items unintentionally entering waterways and advocates for mindful consumption and disposal.

The development of the “Kurage Mark 5 S” was driven by Kurage Rengo’s members, many of whom are mothers. Their goal was to create a safe, efficient, and easy-to-use tool for beach cleaning, especially for families. The association, which organizes beach cleaning events and other environmental activities, found mass production financially challenging. However, media attention and public support enabled them to secure funding for the stainless steel model’s production.

Kurage Rengo aims to create a society where addressing marine litter is seen as a personal and accessible responsibility. The organization operates mainly in Fukuoka Prefecture, with nearly 50 members, many of whom are women and mothers. Their motherly perspective and focus on making environmental efforts enjoyable have gained significant attention.

To further support their mission, Kurage Rengo offers free rentals of the “Kurage Mark 5 S” to cleaning groups across Japan and seeks corporate partners to facilitate rentals through city offices and other administrative locations, hoping to make a substantial impact on reducing marine litter.