ReNet and Toyota Tsusho launch toy recycling project in Aichi Prefecture

ReNet Japan Recycling Corp. and Toyota Tsusho Corp. have partnered with retail giants Aeon Co. and Don Quijote Co., announcing a collaborative endeavor to recycle plastic toys. The “Toy Sector Circular Economy Promotion Project” will launch its first phase on July 21, 2023, with the goal of testing a recycling program that collects battery-operated plastic toys in Aichi Prefecture.

The project, propelled in conjunction with major toy manufacturers and Aeon Retail Co., Pan Pacific International Holdings Corp., and Nagoya Grampus Eight Corp., underscores the urgency of transitioning to a circular economy model. This model is seen as a solution that balances economic growth with sustainable resource use and recycling.

Key to this initiative is the concept of “Extended Producer Responsibility,” whereby companies bear responsibility for the lifecycle of their products, extending beyond the production and use stages to encompass the disposal and recycling phases.

“ReNet Japan and Toyota Tsusho are spearheading an effort to engage producers and consumers in a robust collection and recycling mechanism,” said a representative. The ambition is to promote the broader realization of a circular economy across the toy industry, laying a foundation for a scheme that can potentially be expanded to other used products. This could drive the circular economy’s acceleration and make significant strides toward carbon neutrality.

ReNet Japan, already a recognized actor in small household appliance recycling under national law, will leverage its expertise in directly collecting and recycling small appliances from consumers for this initiative. Simultaneously, Toyota Tsusho will bring to the table its comprehensive knowledge from its “circular vein business,” a venture focused on transforming waste into usable resources.

The project is slated to run from July 21, 2023, to approximately June 2024. The collection will target battery-operated toys, marking a significant step in the journey toward a circular society.