“New Businesses Rooted in Environmental Values”

"New Businesses Rooted in Environmental Values"

The Recycling Mine Park (RMP) initiative—which aims to ensure a stable supply of resources while promoting environmental harmony by treating discarded household appliances as "modern-day ore" and utilizing the sites, facilities, and technologies of mines and smelters across the country that have fallen into sharp decline—is finally beginning to take shape as a business venture backed by economic incentives.

"The flame has been reignited in the mountains. We must not let this flame go out," say the municipalities in northern Akita Prefecture working to revitalize their mining towns. A strong tailwind has begun to blow in these mining towns, which have long been recycling non-ferrous metals (15 types, including lead, copper, and zinc) found in discarded car batteries, shredder dust, and scrap wire. This tailwind comes from the Recycling Law targeting four categories of home appliances, as well as the planned legislation for the recycling of electrical and electronic equipment beyond these four categories. This brings a variety of benefits, including the proper disposal of used products subject to recycling, resource recycling, the effective use of energy from incineration, and the prevention of pollution caused by heavy metals.

The economic benefits—which had previously been a challenge—are significant. Since existing facilities and mining technologies can be utilized as-is for the construction and operation of recycling plants, costs can be kept low. I've heard the cost is equivalent to 500 million yen—just one-eighth of what a new plant would cost. Furthermore, unlike recycling plants operated by manufacturers in the "arterial" sector, a key strength here is the ability to develop the business with a deep understanding of the "venous" sector. The fact that this area will be revitalized as a hub for the venous industry and create jobs is drawing attention not only as a means to boost the region's potential but also as a pilot project supporting the industrial structure of a circular economy.