Scallop Shell Recycling Project in Hirata Village, Aomori Prefecture - 2001 to the 2020s

Scallop Shell Recycling Project in Hirata Village, Aomori Prefecture - 2001 to the 2020s

To address the issue of approximately 5,000 tons of scallop shells being discarded annually in Hirata Village, Aomori Prefecture, a project to reuse scallop shells began in the early 2000s. By crushing the shells and mixing them into asphalt, they are used as road paving material, maintaining durability while reducing environmental impact. By the 2020s, Hiratate Recycling Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Obayashi Corporation and Shimizu Corporation, had expanded the use of shell paving material to over 100 kilometers of roads annually. Additionally, scallop shells are utilized as agricultural soil conditioners, with over 2,000 tons used yearly. This project, aiming to balance environmental protection and economic growth, has garnered attention both domestically and internationally.