Activities
(What We Do)
**Precious Plastic Waseda** is,
This is a Waseda University student project that aims to "transform used plastic into new things with our own hands."
We view small pieces of plastic waste that are often overlooked as a resource, and we work to recycle them in a way that is fun, easy to understand, and actionable.
Our activities are based on the following five pillars:
Plastic Collection
We use collection boxes within Waseda University to collect small plastic items such as bottle caps and contact lens cases.
With the aim of making collection easy for everyone, we are spreading the culture of collecting plastic waste as a resource rather than throwing it away.
Manufacturing recycled products
The collected plastic is crushed, heated, and molded using a homemade machine, and transformed into new items such as combs and accessories.
This process of making products from materials with the students' own hands is a valuable opportunity for them to experience both the joy of making things and becoming more aware of the environment.
Workshop
At local and environmental events, we hold experiential workshops where people actually melt plastic and make things.
This is an event that anyone, from children to adults, can easily participate in, providing an opportunity for people to feel closer to environmental issues.
Visualization of environmental impact
We use a method called LCA (Life Cycle Assessment) to scientifically evaluate how much the environmental impact has been reduced when making a product.
We aim to create a system that allows people to see in numbers "how much and what has been reduced," allowing them to truly understand the meaning of their actions.
Recycling of color tubes
With the cooperation of Ribinet, we are independently collecting and recycling the caps of hair dye tubes used at beauty salons.
By breathing new life into discarded materials, we are able to achieve a circular economy in collaboration with salons.
We do not view the "plastic problem" as just an "environmental issue."
I want to create an opportunity for people to make this their own issue .
Reexamine society and life through fun experiences.
Precious Plastic Waseda creates actions that lead to the future
As a "university-based, citizen-led recycling project,"
We will continue to challenge ourselves.