Recycling of paper cartons

Dual loops of paper carton

A used paper car ton is ahigh-quality resource. It isreborn as recycled products.

Reborn as recycled products

Use

Growing

CO2

O2

Logged trees are mainly used for construction
materials and furniture. Wood chips made fromthin timbers that result from forest thinning,edge trims that result from manufacturing
construction materials, and branches are usedas the raw material to produce paper. Long
fibers of acicular trees are suitable forprocessing of durable paper cartons.

Paper recyclers and wholesalers ofused (consumed) paper
Laminated portions are removed
and the base paper (raw paper)
portion is dissolved. At this point,
fo re i g n s u b s t a n c e s s u c h a s
residual ink are extracted in orderto produce clean pulp that issuitable for manufacturing recycled
products such as toilet rolls.

Life cycles of a forest
Chips

Base paper (raw paper) will not be
exhausted.
Acicular trees in North America and Northern Europe are mainly used
for production of base paper (raw paper). Forests of acicular trees aremanaged according to forestry certifications, and tree trimming,
planting of seedlings and growing processes are conductedsystematically. Acicular trees in North America are raised forapproximately 50 to 80 years, and in Northern Europe they are raisedfor approximately 70 to 100 years. Trees in both regions are subject tocontrolled thinning.

Construction materials
storage site

Plant

They sort paper cartons and transport them to recycled paper manufacturers.

Recycled paper
manufacturers

Edge trims andt i m b e rs f ro mforest thinning
activities

Life span of 50 to 100 years

CO 2 emissions from a 1000 ml paper carton total 32.4 g. The
environmental load resulting from this is very small.
Recycling a 1000 ml paper carton reduces CO2 emissions by 23.4 g.
※Source: Institute for Policy Analysis and Social Innovation "2004 Report of Survey on Life Cycle
Assessment of Containers and Packaging" (Entrusted by the Ministry of Environment)

Wood is used with zero waste.

Appropriately managed forestry
practices absorb atmosphericcarbon dioxide and discharge
oxygen.

Paper cartons have lower environmental load※

Recycling of paper cartons

Paper manufacturer

Paper cartons

Collection

Wash
Open

A paper carton refers to a container ofmilk, lactic beverages, juices, etc. that
does not have a piece of aluminum
laminated to the inside surface.

Collection methods include
store collection atsupermarkets and othersimilar stores, municipality
collection, group collection
by citizen's groups, andcollection at schools.

DryConstruction andfurniture materials

Seedlings are picked from parent
trees, grown in nursery grounds,
and then systematically planted in
logging forests.

24

Recycling of paper cartons●Dual loops of paper carton

Wash

Open

Dry
Recycling of paper cartons●Dual loops of paper carton

25

International collaboration

Visit to Northern Europe

Outline of COMCEIHistory●History of COMCEI■History of JAMRA★Activities to strengthen collaboration

Fiscal year

History

Applicable laws

COMCEI's activities include conducting and supporting various

1984■ A group of housewives started a milk carton recycling movement to teach their children to recognize the value of things.

surveys and studies on milk cartons and other containers.

1985■ "Japan Milk Carton Recycling Association" was established.

1992● "Committee for Milk Container Environmental Issues" was established.
■ “Milk carton recycled products mark”was created.

COMCEI visited Northern Europe in June 2012 as part of study
activities to research recycling practices overseas.
[Visit to Stora Enso Co., Ltd.]A large quantity of base paper (raw paper) used forbeverage cartons in Japan is imported from North
America and Northern Europe.
During this tour, we visited the Imatra Plant of Stora Enso,
the largest paper manufacturing company in Europe, andexchanged views and information during the three days.
On the first day, we took a tour of the facilities in their pulp
plant and a coating plant housing paper machines. We
then attended their presentation explaining effective
conversion of waste liquid from a pulp plant into plant
energy, their base paper (raw paper) recycling approach,and information on development of new materials.
A meeting on the second day was held at theestablishment's Research Center. We explained thequality aspect of recycled paper in Japan by taking thequality impact (degree of whiteness) of the base paper(raw paper) containing CTMP as an example. Attendees
gained a clear understanding from us about this issue. In
the afternoon, we exchanged views on LCA in Japan andEurope. Meanwhile, in a separate room, other membersof our group demonstrated postcard making fromhandmade paper as we usually do in recycling workshops
in Japan. This activity was well received by attendees andprovided a good opportunity for us to communicate witheach other.
On the third day, we visited their tree nursery and a large
area of forest to experience logging and forestation.
Through these experiences, we were able to learn about
Stora Enso's advanced forestry management andenvironmental preservation techniques.

[Information exchange with ACE]
We moved from Finland to Belgium and visited ACE
headquar ters (Br ussels). ACE, which consists ofrepresentative manufacturers of paper beverage cartonsand base paper (raw paper) manufacturers, makes
strategic contributions to the environmental policies of the
EU in the fields of forestry management, reforestation,
environmental footprint, and recycling.
We have exchanged information on various subjects
including the activities of ACE, legal regulations on
disposal of packaging containers in Europe, producer
responsibility system, and Belgium's household waste
collection system. They explained that the association of
local gover nments in Belgium collects and sor ts
household wastes, and then delivers them to FOST Plus(the producer body responsible for recycling packaging
containers put out by households). FOST Plus collects aburden charge from business operators to cover thecollection and sorting costs. FOST Plus develops theirown recycling methods for collected and sorted waste..
COMCEI introduced the contents of the Recycling Law inJapan along with the activities of the Liaison Conference
for 3R Promotion Organizations and the COMCEI.
We then moved to the Sorting Center in Liege located in
the Wallonia region in southern Belgium. After touring thefacility, we saw how household containers (PET, metal
cans, and paper cartons) are collected and sorted byusing "blue bags". We also learned about differences inresource recycling approaches in Japan and Europe.

Milk carton recycled products mark1993

● COMCEI participated in "Forestry Fair" held by the Forestry Agency (COMCEI participated every year until 2008).

●The Basic Environmental Law wasenacted.

1995● "Basic survey on the present status and trends of beverage paper container (paper carton) recycling" was started.

●Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law was enacted.

1996● "The Beverage Paper Container Recycling Council" was established.

1997■ National case study on milk carton collection system was conducted.

1998● Model project for promotion of milk cartons used for school lunches was started (Hokkaido).
■ An experimental projected was implemented to build a collection and recycling system of milk cartons used for school lunches (Fukuoka and Hyogo).
■ Convivial meetings were held to promote collection of paper drink cartons (Ishikawa, Osaka, Kumamoto and Ehime).

1999★ Local conference to promote paper carton recycling was held (this has been continuing since *1).

2000

● The Paper Carton Identification Mark was voluntarily established.
● Discussion Meeting to Promote Recycling of Paper Cartons for Beverages was started(this has been continuing since).

●Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law was enforced.

●Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law was enforced.
●Basic Law for Establishing the
Recycling-Based Society was enacted.
●Law for the Promotion of Effective
Utilities of Resources was enacted.
Paper Carton Identification Mark2001

★ Movement to expand milk carton collection centers was started.

●Act on Promoting Green Purchasing
was enacted.

(Provision of collection boxes to local communities)
Collection box● A symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of COMCEI was held.

2002★ Activities to expand milk carton collection centers to 10,000 locations was started.
● Survey on Paper Carton Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was started(this has been continuing since).

A symposium commemorating the 10th anniversary of COMCEI was held.

2003●Part of End-of-life Vehicle Recycling
Law was enforced.

Survey on paper carton LCA in North America was conducted.

Survey on paper carton LCA in North America was conducted.

2004● Environmental campaign was started (executed during Environment month and the
3R month each year).
★ Workshop on milk carton recycling was held (this has been continuing since *2).
● Participated in one of the largest class environmental-related exhibitions,called "Eco-Product Exhibition 2004" (this has been continuing every year).

●Review of Containers and Packaging
Recycling Law was started.
Participation in "Eco-product 2004".

2005
On-site explanation about forestry management

26

International collaboration●Visit to Northern Europe

Blue bags used to collect household containers(PET, metal cans and paper cartons)● Goal of the paper carton collection rate in fiscal 2010 was set to 50% or greater.
● The voluntary action plan for promoting 3R of containers and packaging was announced(The Beverage Paper Container Recycling Council).
★ The website for children's environmental education called "Milk Packn's Expedition" was started.
● Sponsoring "Message Box Kit" for enlightening exhibition was started.
★ Nishi Hari project (Construction of local collection system)★ Survey on paper carton LCA in Northern Europe

Local Conference to Promote
Paper Carton Recycling was held

Outline of COMCEI●History27

Outline of COMCEIHistory●History of COMCEI■History of JAMRA

Fiscal year

2006

Members list
★Activities to strengthen collaboration
History

Applicable laws

●Revised Containers and Packaging
Recycling Law was enacted.

■ 20th anniversary memorial meeting of JAMRA

Shimizu Milk Industry co.,Ltd

Tochiraku Milk Co.,Ltd.

INASA MILK ASSOCIATION

National Association of Agricultural cooperative Dairy

Harigai Milk Industry Co.,Ltd.

Kannami toubu nougyoukyoudou kumiai

nishirakunyuugyou Co.,Ltd

Federation of Milk Processors Co-operatives

Tochigi Meiji Milk Co. Ltd

TOKAI MEIJI.CO.Ltd

Omu Milk Products Co.,Ltd.

Tochigi Milk Co., Ltd.

Asagiri Milk Products Co.,Ltd

Tomo Dairy Cooperative

CHUOSEINYU CO.,LTD.

KUMAMOTO DAIRY CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATIONGUNMA MILKJOINT BUSINESS COOPERATIVES

toyota-nyugyou.co.jp

KUMAMOTO MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

Aichi Brother Company Co.,Ltd.

Kuma Dairy Agricultural Cooperative

MORI MILK Co., Ltd.

TOKONAME MILK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPANY

JA ASOSEIBU RAKUNOU

Showa Milk Co., Ltd

TOKYO PAPER MFG, CO. ,LTD

Yotsuba Milk Products Co., Ltd.
Satsuraku Dairy Agricultural Coop
HOKKAIDO HOSHO MILK PLANT Co.,Ltd.
SHIN SAPPORO NYUGYO CO., LTD
KUMIAI DAIRIES LIMITED★ "Real Story of Paper Carton Recycling" pamphlet was published.
★ Onsite lessons on paper carton recycling was held for the leaders of the movement in Korea

2011

2012

(in Korea).
★ Provision of collection boxes at 20,000 locations was achieved.
● "Plan 2015 - Action Plan for Recycling of Paper Cartons for Beverages" was established andpublished.
● The second voluntary action plan for promoting 3R of containers and packaging was announced.
(The Beverage Paper Container Recycling Council)● Certified as PCR of "milk".
★ The 2nd "Japan and Korea Forum on Processed Milk Industry Environmental Management(in Osaka)"Real Story of Paper Carton Recycling"■ “The promotion council of Milk carton Recycled products mark” was established.
● New organizations for operation of COMCEI were started.
(General Affairs, local organizations, Event Committee)★ The 3rd "Japan and Korea Forum on Processed Milk Industry Environmental Management(in Kyongju, Korea)★ Survey on paper carton LCA in Northern Europe was conducted.
■ "Friendly environment loop forum - Efforts for utilization of renewable energy"
Inspection of forestry management practices in Northern Europe【Osaka】
SEN-NAN Dairy Products Co.,Ltd.

MINAMI NIHON RAKUNO KYODO CO.,LTD【Kagoshima】

MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

Vitamin Milk Products Co.,Ltd

OKINAWA MEIJI MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.

Hokkaido Dairy Corporation Co.,Ltd.

KYODO MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

Ikaruga Milk Plant CO.,Ltd.

OKINAWA MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

MACHIMURA FARM ,Inc.

Glico Dairy Products Co.,Ltdkurasimamilk.Co,ltd.

KOIWAI DAIRY PRODUCTS CO., LTD.

Hyogo-tantan Dairy Agricultural Cooperative

Mariya milk industry

TOYOTOMI MILK PRODUCTS

Koshin Milk Products Co,Ltd

Kinki Glico Dairy Products Co.,LtdYAEYAMA GENKI

Awajishima Dairy Agricultural Cooperative

Genki Seikatsu Co., Ltd.

【Kanagawa】
Takanashi Milk Products Co.,Ltd.
YOKOHAMA MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

【Hyogo】【Tottori】

kagoshimakenrakunounyuugyoukabushikigaisya【Okinawa】

Miyako Asahi Nyugyo

Miyahira Dairy Corporation

DAISEN Dairy agricultural cooperative

Fujiya Milk Co., Ltd.

KONDO MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.

Oofunato Milk Co., Ltd.

Ashigara Milk Products Co.,Ltd.

KISUKI Daily Product

Oji Eco Materials Co.,Ltd

Kyoudou Milk Co., Ltd.

Yasugi Milk Product Co.,LtdNISHINIHON EIZAI CO.,LTD

YUGEN GAISHA YOEKISHA

Nissey Sangyo co.,Ltd.

furukawa milk industry Co. Ltd
YAMADA MILK PRODUCTS
Michinoku Milk Co.,Ltd.
Touhoku Glico Dairy Products Co.,Ltd【Yamagata】＊１ Venues of local conference to promote paper carton recycling (1999 to 2012)

GOTO Farm Co.,Ltd

Hokkaido, Hakodate, Aomori, Iwate, Miyagi, Fukushima, Yamagata, Niigata, Nagano, Shiga, Gunma, Warabi, Saitama, Chiba, Ibaragi, Tokyo (northern and easternparts), Akishima, Kanagawa, Yokohama, Kuwana, Kasuga, Shizuoka, Gifu, Ishikawa, Fukui, Mie, Aichi, Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo (Kobe and Hanshin area), Akashi, Shimane,
Okayama, Hiroshima, Tokushima, Kochi, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Kumamoto, Okinawa

Ohu Dairy Cooperative【Fukushima】
Rakuou milk products Co.,Ltd.
Tohoku-kyodo Milk industry Co., Ltd
Aizu Chuoh Nyugyo Corporation
Matsunaga milk Co., Ltd.
Fukushima Milk Co., Ltd.

Outline of COMCEI●History

Chiba-raku Dairy Cooperative【Tokyo】

Koyama Dairies Co., Ltd【Miyazaki】

Hakodate MilkTOUHOKU MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD

Sukagawa City Abukuma Primary School, Chikusai City Isa Primary School, Motegi Cho Motegi Primary School, Ota City Chuo Primary School, Konosu City Akamidaidaiichi Primary Shool, Shibuya Ward Kakezuka Primary School, Hiratsuka City Okazaki Primary School, Yamato City Shibuya Primary School, Komagane City Akaho
Primary School, Hokuto City Mukawa Primary School, Hamamatu City Hamana Primary School, Kanazawa City Izumino Primary School, Tarui Cho Iwade Primary
School, Godo Cho Godo Primary School, Nisshin City Higashi Primary School, Nisshin City Nishi Primary School, Minamiise Cho Nantohigashi Primary School, NabariCity Mihata Primary School, Kishiwada City Jyoutou Primary School, Osaka City Bentenncho Primary School, Osaka City Turumachi Primary School, Nishinomiya City
Takagi Primary School, Amagasaki City Wakaba Primary School, Hiroshima City Asamiku-omachi Primary School, HIroshima City Niho Primary School, Hiroshima City
Nukushina Primary School, Mitoyo City Omi Primary School, Yoshinogawa City Kamiura Primary School, Kochi City Kamoda Primary School

JA Kyoto Rakuno Center

Takada Milk Co., Ltd.

【Miyagi】＊3 We visited the following schools to run the onsite lessons on milk carton recycling (2007 to 2012)

HIRAYA MILK

Chiba Hokubu Rakuno Dairy Cooperative

JA-Shimogo

NIPPON DAIRY CO-OPERATED CO.,LTD.

【Iwate】

Asahikawa, Sapporo, Saitama, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Koto, Nakano, Kita, Nishitokyo, Yokohama, Sagamihara, Otsuki, Kofu, Chikusai, Nisshin, Osaka, Nishinomiya,Matsuyama, Kochi, Beppu, NahaFURUYA MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD

KYUSYUNYUGYO CO.,LTD

Meiji Co., Ltd.

HAGIWARA MILK PLANT Co.Ltd.

＊2 Venues of workshop on milk carton recycling (2004 to 2012)

Ouchiyama Dairy Agricultural Cooperative【Kyoto】

Limited Partnership (Corp.) HOTTA KOUNYUUSHA【Oita】MEGMILK SNOW BRAND Co., Ltd【Aomori】●Review of Containers and Packaging
Recycling Law was started.

osawa milk Co., Ltd.
【Chiba】【Mie】

Hokkaido Milk Product Co.,Ltd.

Fuji Milk Co., Ltd.

28

【Saitama】

JA Saihoku Rakunou★ "Milk Packn's Expedition" DVD was produced.
★ The 1st "Japan and Korea Forum on Processed Milk Industry Environmental Management (in Seoul, Korea)

SHIMABARA AREA DAIRY FARMERS COOPERATIVE【Kumamoto】

Dai Nippon Printing Co.,Ltd.
Hokuetsu Package Co., Ltd.

★ "Paper Carton Manifesto" was published.

Nagoya Gyunyu Co.,Ltd.

NAGATOSHI-MILK CO., LTD.
【Nagasaki】

ISHIZUKA GLASS Co.,Ltd,
TOPPAN PRINTING CO.,LTD.

Participated in the Toyako Summit Memorial General Environmental Exhibition.

2010【Gunma】【Aichi】
MIDORI NYUGYO CO.,LTD【Hokkaido】

2009

HORAI Co.,Ltd. Dairy Industry Division

Himawari Milk
【Fukuoka】

Haruna Dairy Cooperatives

135 dairy companies

2008【Kochi】

DAIRY TOCHIGI AGRI. CO-OP

Nihon Tetra Pak K.K.

● Participated in the Toyako Summit Memorial General Environmental Exhibition 2008.
★ Conference on employment of CTMP for beverage cartons【Shizuoka】

Japan Dairy Association

Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.

● "Plan 2010 -Action Plan for Recycling of Paper Cartons for Beverages - Toward collection
rate of 50%" was established and published.
● Participated in the main event of the environmental moth "Eco-product and Eco-fair 2007"(this has been continuing every year).
■ Supported "Friendly environment loop - JAMRA"(this has been continuing every year).
★ Onsite lessons on milk carton recycling was started (this has been continuing since *3).
★ The movement to expand the number of milk carton collection centers(20,000 locations were targeted) was developed further.
Participation in Eco-Life Fair/Eco-Products 2007.

【Tochigi】

Japan Dairy Industry Association

7 Carton manufacturers

20th anniversary memorial meeting of JAMRA

2007

4 related associations【Ibaraki】
IBARAKI DAIRY PRODUCT INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

【Nagano】
YATSUGATAKE MILK Co.,Ltd.

【Shimane】【Okayama】

10 supporting members

NIPPON PAPER CRECIA CO.,LTD

OHAYO DAIRY PRODUCTS CO.,LTD

DAIWA ITAGAMI CO., LTD.

KAJIHARA MILKPRODUCTS CO.LTD

SHIN-EI PAPER MFG.CO.,LTD.

Niigata-ken Nokyo Milk Co., Ltd.

HIRUZENRAKUNOU NOUGYOU KYOUDOU KUMIAI

Marutomi Paper Company

HARADA Daily Products.CO.,LTD.

okayamanisinougyoukyoudoukumiai

YAMADAYOUJI SYOUTEN CO., LTD.

MATSUDA MILK co.ltd【Niigata】

Tsukada Milk Products.Co.LTD
Sado Milk Products Ltd.
【Toyama】
Tonami Milk Co., Ltd.
Kokuto milk
【Ishikawa】
i.Milk Hokuriku Co.,Ltd.
【Fukui】
MORINAGA-HOKURIKU MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD【Gifu】
Hida Rakuno Dairy Cooperative

TOMOE DAIRY PROCESSING CO., LTD

Bokuseisha Ltd.

Ibaraku Co.,Ltd.

Seki Milk Co., Ltd.

KANTO MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

Mino Dairy Cooperatives【Hiroshima】
Sanyo Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

CRESCO Corporation
MeadWestvaco Asia K.K.

TOYO MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.
Hiroshima Kyodo Milk Industry Co.,Ltd.
Chichiyasu Co.,Ltd.
【Yamaguchi】
Yamaguchi Kenraku Milk industry Co.,Ltd

As of the end of September, 2012

houfurakunou agricultural cooperative
Nishimotobokujou【Kagawa】
Shikoku Meiji Dairies Corporation【Ehime】
SHIKOKU MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.

Outline of COMCEI●Members list

29

Paper Carton
Recycle Loop

Dairy product manufacturers and paper container manufacturers collaborate to preserve the environment.

Committee for Milk Container Environmental Issues
Location

Postal Code 102-0073 Nyugyo Kaikan, Kudan Kita 1-14-19, Chiyoda Ku, Tokyo
Phone 03-3264-3903, Fax 03-3261-9176
COMCEI website : http://www.yokankyo.jp
Milk Packn's Expedition website : http://www.packun.jp

Established

August 31, 1992

Business summary●Educational activities related to environmental issues including environmental preservation and recycling●Dissemination of knowledge on milk and other beverage container-related environmental issues●Activities to support recycling of carton for milk and other beverages●Execution and support of various surveys and studies milk and other beverage container-related environmental issues●Other necessary business areas

Major activities●Provision of information to enhance consumers' awareness of beverage carton-related environmental issues(consumers, municipalities, schools, etc.)●Cooperation with beverage carton recycling movement (citizen's groups)●Technical surveys and domestic and overseas inspection on environmental issues related to milk and beverage cartons(recycling policies, forestry management, recycled paper manufacturers), introduction of overseas documents●Basic survey on the present status and trends of beverage carton recycling●Collaboration with administrative agencies and relevant organizations●Provision of information to members

This book has been produced using eco-friendly plant oil ink.

Published: January 2013