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Tetra Pak Recyling
(posted on February 27, 2023)
Tetra Pak Recyling
(posted on February 27, 2023)
We are generally taught to avoid plastic containers, and to buy products packaged in cans and glass bottles instead. However, when that's not possible - look for the Tetra Pak label instead!
Tetra Pak makes sure that all packages are collected, recycled and never become litter and therefore don't end up in landfills or incinerated. The paper used in the packages are reused as raw material for toilet papers and other paper products. The remaining polyethylene and aluminum foil parts are reused as thermal energy required when manufacturing recycled paper.
Unfortunately the mail in recycling system finished last year but there are places (grocery stores) where you can bring the used packages. We’ve been going to LIFE grocery store close to our house. When you do bring the reused packages, make sure you cut open the Tetra Pak packages, wash and dry them before bringing them to the collection points.
↓ List here (in Japanese)
Leftover Soil
(posted on January 24, 2023)
Leftover Soil
(posted on January 24, 2023)
Many families started gardening while quarantined at home during the pandemic. Our household was the same: we started composting and gardening when the pandemic began. Since 2020 our plant and vegetable garden has only grown.
But how do you make the best use of leftover soil? In Japan, soil cannot be disposed of as normal household waste. It is also prohibited to dispose of it in the gardens or parks.
Here are few alternatives, depending on where you live:
if you already compost, mix the soil into your compost
ask local gardeners to take your soil
ask DIY centers (or "home centers") to take it
revive your soils with a soil recycle system
Here in Japan, it's always best to contact your ward office for the best approach. For example, in Minato-ku where I live, they have a plant fair at Arisugawa Park once a year where they take in leftover soils. The company takes in the soil from customers, sends it to a recycling company which then makes the soil into healthy soil and sends it back to the customer for use. Wow!
Plastic vs Aluminum
(posted on October 31, 2022)
Plastic vs Aluminum
(posted on October 31, 2022)
You’ve probably heard of the 3Rs : Reduce - Reuse - Recycle.
The best is to reduce, then to reuse and finally recycle. But not all recycling is created equal; let’s compare recycling plastics to aluminum. Which is more impactful?
Plastics can only be recycled once or twice, and it costs more to recycle plastic than it does to produce plastic. For instance, 70% of plastics are collected in Japan, but up to 80% of it is burned. 55 to 70% of plastic waste undergoes “thermal recycling,” which is transformed by combustion into thermal energy and electricity. Only 23% of plastic waste is recycled to produce other materials. Why? Japan doesn’t have infrastructures adapted to cleaning waste but hopefully this will change.
Now how about aluminum? There is no limit to how many times aluminum can be recycled and turned into new products. So if you have a choice, choose drinks and products made from aluminum and don’t forget to reuse or recycle them!
Still curious? Read more about:
Books
Fashion
Food
Food Insecurity
Food Shopping
Food Waste
Recycling
Street Clean-Ups
Water
Or - watch to learn - check out this list of sustainable movies.
Learn More: Sustainability at ASIJ
Contact Sustainability Coordinator Yu-Ching Chang at sustainability@pta.asij.ac.jp with any additional questions.
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