Port of Regeneration Noshiro, Akita Prefecture - A Center for Weaving the Future from Waste - Development from 2007 to the 2020s

Port of Regeneration Noshiro, Akita Prefecture - A Center for Weaving the Future from Waste - Development from 2007 to the 2020s

In 2007, the Port of Noshiro in Akita Prefecture was designated as a "comprehensive venous logistics hub port," attracting attention as one of Japan's leading recycling hubs. This designation established a system for the efficient reuse of waste and resources by taking advantage of local metal processing technology and the convenience of port logistics. In particular, the recycling efficiency of rare and precious metals recovered from waste cell phones and electronic devices has improved. Cooperation between local companies and small and medium-sized metalworking companies has improved the efficiency of the entire recycling process, and in Noshiro City, improvements in precious metal recovery technology have resulted in a recycling rate increase of more than 20%. In addition, with the support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism, a new large-scale recycling facility was constructed at the port facility, enabling several thousand tons of waste to be
processed annually.

2010s: New Developments and Challenges
In the 2010s, the Port of Noshiro faced new challenges as recycling technology expanded. In 2015, with the help of government subsidies, the Port of Noshiro renovated its recycling facilities and introduced high-precision metal sorting technology. This technology has resulted in a 25% increase in recycling rates and a significant increase in the amount of metal resources recovered.

On the other hand, local small and medium enterprises (SMEs) suffered from the fluctuation of recycled resource prices in the international market. In response to this situation, companies around the Port of Noshiro strengthened their domestic recycling networks and sought new ways to use waste plastics and scrap metal. In addition, the Port of Noshiro expanded its role as a hub for international trade, increasing the volume of metal exports to China and Southeast Asian countries.

2020s: Contributing to a Recycling-Oriented Society
In the 2020s, the Port of Noshiro is further developing as a "base for promoting the formation of a recycling-oriented society. Facilities capable of processing approximately 50,000 tons of waste per year are in operation, and recycling of scrap metal, waste electronic equipment (e-waste), and plastic waste is being conducted efficiently. Noshiro Metal Recycling Co., Ltd. has improved its technology for recovering rare and precious metals from e-waste, increasing the recycling rate by more than 30% and recovering more than 1,000 tons of rare metals annually. In addition, Northeast Metal Industries, Inc. specializes in the sorting and reprocessing of scrap metal and is expanding its exports both domestically and internationally.

Internationally, the Port of Noshiro has become an important hub for trade in recycled resources with Asian countries, with approximately 20,000 tons of scrap metal exported to China and Korea annually. This initiative has also contributed to the local economy, creating more than 300 new jobs. In addition, high-temperature decomposition technology has been introduced in the treatment of plastic waste, resulting in the recycling of approximately 2,500 tons per year. In addition, the company's gold recovery efficiency from waste cell phones has reached 90%, the highest level in Japan.

With the support of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism and the Ministry of the Environment, construction of a new recycling facility is underway at the Port of Noshiro. This is expected to further expand processing capacity and contribute to achieving the carbon neutrality target for 2050. As the center of Japan's recycling network, the Port of Noshiro plays an important role in realizing a recycling-oriented society.

Sources
- Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, "Comprehensive Venous Logistics Hub Port" designation document (2007)
- Akita Prefecture Noshiro Port Recycling Promotion Project Report (2015)
- Noshiro Metal Recycling Corporation Business Activity Report (2020)
- Environmental Technology Improvement Report (2021) by Koto Metal Industry Co.
- Outline of the Ministry of the Environment's "Plan to Promote the Formation of a Recycling-based Society" (2021)