Recycling of paper cartons

Dual loops of paper carton recycling

A used paper carton is a highquality resource.
It is reborn as recycled products.

Reborn as recycled products

Use

Growing

CO2

O2

Logged trees are primarily 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 used as raw
material to produce paper.Long fibers of acicular
trees are suitable for processing 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

CO2 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 manufacturers

Paper cartons

Collection

Rinse
Open

Paper cartons refer to a container ofmilk, lactic beverages, juices, etc. that
do 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 citizens' 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 recycling

Rinse

Open

Dry
Recycling of paper cartons●Dual loops of paper carton recycling25

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

Fiscal year

●History of COMCEIHistory

Trend in applicable laws

1984

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

1985■ "Japan Milk Carton Recycling Association" (JAMRA) was established.

1992●The Basic Environmental Law wasenacted.

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

●Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection andRecycling of Containers and Packaging was enacted.

1996● "The Beverage Paper Container Recycling Council" was established.
●Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law was enforced.

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 project was implemented to build a collection and recycling system for milk cartons used for school lunches (Fukuoka and Hyogo)■ Convivial meetings were held to promote collection of beverage paper containers (Locations of meeting ＊1)

1999

2000

Paper Carton Identification Mark

2001

2008

★ Conference on employment of CTMP for beverage paper containers

2009★ A book "Paper Cartoon Manifesto" was published2010★ "Milk Packn's Expedition" DVD was produced.
★ The 1st "Japan and Korea Forum on Processed Milk Industry Environmental Management (in Seoul, Korea)

2011●Act on the Promotion of Sorted Collection
and Recycling of Containers and Packaging
was completely enforced.
●Basic Law for Establishing the RecyclingBased Society was enacted.
●Law for the Promotion of Effective Use of
Resources was enacted in its entirety.

2012★ Movement for expansion milk carton collection centers was started.

●Act on Promoting Green Purchasing
was enacted.

(Provision of collection boxes to local communities)

Trend in applicable laws

● Participated in the Toyako Summit Memorial General Environmental Exhibition 2008.

★ "Real Story of Paper Carton Recycling" pamphlet was published.
★ On site lessons on paper carton recycling were held for leaders of the movement in Korea (in Korea).
★ Provision of collection boxes at 20,000 locations was achieved.

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

● 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).

History

2007

Milk carton recycled products mark● COMCEI participated in "Forestry Fair" held by the Forestry Agency (COMCEI participated every year until 2008).

★Activities to strengthen collaboration● "Plan 2010 -Action plan for paper carton recycling Toward collection rate of 50%" was established and published.
● Participated in the main event of the environmental month "Eco-Life Fair 2007"(this has been continuing every year).
■ Supported "Friendly environment loop forum - JAMRA" (this has been continuing every year).
★ On site lessons on milk carton recycling were started (and continue ＊3).
Participation in Eco-Life Fair 2007.
★ The movement to expand the number of milk carton collection centers (20,000 locations were targeted) was developed further.

● "Committee for Milk Container Environmental Issues" (COMCEI) was established.
■ "Milk carton recycled products mark" was created.

1993■History of JAMRA

Fiscal year

● "Plan 2015 - Action plan for paper carton recycling" was established and published.
● 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 Recycle 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★ Workshop at a commercial facility "Ginza Mitsukoshi" (Tokyo)●Review of Act on the Promotion ofSorted Collection and Recyclingof Containers and Packaging wasstarted.

Collection box● A symposium commemorating the 20th anniversary of COMCEI was held.

2002

2003

2004

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

"LaLa garden Nagamachi (Sendai City)".
■ Supported "Friendly environment loop - Effects and problems of recycling containers and packaging"●Part of End-of-life Vehicle Recycling
Law was enforced.

★ Survey on paper carton LCA in North America was conducted.
● 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 Products 2004" (this has been continuing every year).

2013●Review of Act on the Promotion ofSorted Collection and Recyclingof Containers and Packaging wasstarted.

2006● Small-Appliance Recycling Law
was enforced.
A symposium commemorating
the 20th anniversary of COMCEI was held.

● Composition analysis of paper cartons in Matsudo City2014

★ Workshop at a commercial facility "Isetan Matsudo Store (Matsudo City)" and "LaLa garden Nagamachi (Sendai City)".
■ Friendly environmental loop forum - Information exchange on activities at welfare organizations associated with milk carton recycling＊１ Venues of local conference to promote paper carton recycling (1998 to 2014)

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

Participation in "Eco Products 2004".

● 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

2005★ A booklet "Story of Waste" was published.
★ Workshop at a commercial facility "Ario Hashimoto (Sagamihara City)" and＊2 Venues of workshop on milk carton recycling (2004 to 2014)(The Beverage Paper Container Recycling Council).
★ The website for children's environmental education called "Milk Packn's Expedition" was started.
● Sponsoring of "Message Box Kit" for enlightening exhibition was started.
★ Nishi Hari project (Construction of local collection system)
Local Conference To Promote Paper Carton Recycling★ Survey on paper carton LCA in Northern Europe
was held

Asahikawa, Sapporo, Saitama, Fujimi, Shibuya, Shinagawa, Koto, Nakano, Kita, Nishitokyo, Yokohama, Sagamihara, Otsuki, Kofu, Chikusei, Nisshin, Osaka, Nishinomiya, Matsuyama, Kochi, Beppu, Naha
＊3 We visited the following schools to run the on-site lessons on milk carton recycling (2008 to 2014)●Revised Act on the Promotion ofSorted Collection and Recyclingof Containers and Packaging wasenacted.

■ 20th anniversary memorial meeting of JAMRA

Sukagawa City Abukuma Elementary School, Toyama City Shinjo Elementary School, Haga Cho Hagaminami Elementary School, Motegi Cho Motegi Elemenary School, Mito City Akatsuka Elementary School, Ota
Chuo Primary School, Nogi-machi Tomonuma Elementary School, Chikusei City Ueno Elementary School, Noda City Futakawa Elementary School, Ichihara City Chiharadaisakura Elementary School, Kawaguchi
City Tozukaminami Elementary School, Shibuya Ward Kakezuka Primary School, Edogawa Ward Shinozakidaini Elementary School, Yokohama City Hie Elementary School, Hiratsuka City Okazaki Elementary
School, Yamato City Shibuya Elementary School, Shizuoka City Togendai Elementary School, Komagane City Akaho Elementary School, Hokuto City Mukawa Elementary School, Kanazawa City Izumino Elementary
School, Tarui Cho Iwade Elementary School, Godo Cho Godo Elementary School, Nisshin City Higashi Elementary School, Nisshin City Nishi Elementary School, Minamiise Cho Nantohigashi Elementary School,
Nabari City Mihata Elementary School, Oji Cho Ojikita Elementary School, Kishiwada City Jyoutou Elementary School, Osaka City Benten Elementary School, Osaka City Turumachi Elementary School, Nishinomiya
City Takagi Elementary School, Amagasaki City Wakaba Elementary School, Hiroshima City Omachi Elementary School, Hiroshima City Ushitashinmachi Primary School, Hiroshima City Niho Elementary School,
Hiroshima City Nukushina Elementary School, Mitoyo City Omi Elementary School, Mitoyo City Matsusaki Elementary School, Yoshinogawa City Kamiura Elementary School

20th anniversary memorial meeting of JAMRA

26

Outline of COMCEI●History of COMCEI

Outline of COMCEI●History of COMCEI

27

Outline of COMCEICOMCEI publications

Members list
4 related associations

COMCEI provides DVDs and leafletsthat explain characteristics of paper
cartons and how they are recycled inan easy-to-understand manner.

DVD "Milk Packn's Expedition"
COMCEI has prepared adetailed DVD version of a
website called "Milk Packn's
Expedition" that is aimed atelementary school students.
This is an educational toolthat helps them think about
the environment and learn
the importance of initiating
their own activities.We send
it free of charge to schools
and organizations that apply.

"Story of Milk Cartons"
We have created this book by re-editing "A Life of Milk
Cartons", which had been published as Milk Carton
L i b r a r y a n d d e s i g n e d fo r
children in the lower grades of
elementary schools.
It shows the life of a milk carton- from its birth to finally being
recycled to a new product - inan easy to understand mannerusing cartoons. This publicationis recommended for use ineve n t s s u c h a s wo r k s h o p s
where many visitors bring theirchildren.
"Story of Milk Cartons""Real Story of Paper Carton Recycling"
This leaflet contains answers to frequently asked
questions that are raised in the course of promoting
activities to improve the recycling rate of paper
cartons. Utilizing many illustrations it also clearly ands i m p l y ex p l a i n s t h a t p a p e r c a r t o n s a r e ve r yenvironmentally-friendly products and that they must
be collected separately from other paper products inorder to utilize this resource effectively.
"Story of Waste""Real Story about Paper Carton Recycling" has beenedited for children and features interesting illustrationsof Milk Packn.

"Story of Waste"

28

Outline of COMCEI●COMCEI publications"Real Story of Paper Carton Recycling"

Book "Paper Carton Manifesto"
This book details
character istics of paper
car tons and recycling
activities in order to submit
re c o m m e n d a t i o n s fo r t h efuture of our planet while
enhancing consciousness
about the meaning ofrecycling.
The writers include Mr. Inose,
president of ECOIPS, Ms.
Hirai, Director General of
JAMRA, and seven membersof COMCEI, among others.

DAIRY TOCHIGI AGRI. CO-OP

TOKAI MEIJI.CO.Ltd

KUMAMOTO DAIRY CO-OPERATIVE ASSOCIATION

Tochiraku Milk Co.,Ltd.

Asagiri Milk Products Co.,Ltd

KUMAMOTO MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

National Association of Agricultural cooperative Dairy

Harigai Milk Industry Co.,Ltd.

Federation of Milk Processors Co-operatives

Tochigi Meiji Milk Co. Ltd

CHUOSEINYU CO.,LTD.

Tochigi Milk Co., Ltd.

toyota-nyugyou.co.jp

HORAI Co.,Ltd. Dairy Industry Division

Aichi Brother Company Co.,Ltd.

7 Carton manufacturers
Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
Nihon Tetra Pak K.K.

Tomo Dairy Cooperative
GUNMA MILKJOINT BUSINESS COOPERATIVESTOPPAN PRINTING CO.,LTD.
Hokuetsu Package Co., Ltd.
TOKYO PAPER MFG, CO. ,LTD
128 dairy companies【Saitama】
MORI MILK Co., Ltd.
SEIBU RAKUNOU【Aichi】

TOKONAME MILK LIMITED PARTNERSHIP COMPANY【Mie】
Ouchiyama Dairy Agricultural Cooperative【Kyoto】
HIRAYA MILK
JA Kyoto Rakuno Center【Osaka】

Kuma Dairy Agricultural Cooperative
JA ASO
Limited Partnership (Corp.) HOTTA KOUNYUUSHA【Oita】KYUSYUNYUGYO CO.,LTD
JA-Shimogo
Koyama Dairies Co., Ltd【Miyazaki】
MINAMI NIHON RAKUNO KYODO CO.,LTD【Kagoshima】
kagoshimakenrakunounyuugyoukabushikigaisya【Okinawa】

JA Saihoku Rakunou

SEN-NAN Dairy Products Co.,Ltd.

osawa milk Co., Ltd.

NIPPON DAIRY CO-OPERATED CO.,LTD.

OKINAWA MEIJI MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.

Takada Milk Co., Ltd.

OKINAWA MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

【Chiba】
FURUYA MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD

Vitamin Milk Products Co.,Ltd

Mariya milk industry

Satsuraku Dairy Agricultural Coop

Chiba Hokubu Rakuno Dairy Cooperative

Ikaruga Milk Plant CO.,Ltd.

YAEYAMA GENKI

HOKKAIDO HOSHO MILK PLANT Co.,Ltd.

Chiba-raku Dairy Cooperative

SHIN SAPPORO NYUGYO CO., LTD
KUMIAI DAIRIES LIMITED【Tokyo】
MEGMILK SNOW BRAND Co., Ltd【Hyogo】
Hyogo-tantan Dairy Agricultural Cooperative

Genki Seikatsu Co., Ltd.
Miyahira Dairy Corporation

Awajishima Dairy Agricultural Cooperative

Hokkaido Milk Product Co.,Ltd.

Meiji Co., Ltd.

Hakodate Milk

MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

Hokkaido Dairy Corporation Co.,Ltd.

KYODO MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

MACHIMURA FARM ,Inc.

Glico Dairy Products Co.,LtdKISUKI Daily ProductNissey Sangyo co.,Ltd.

kurasimamilk.Co,ltd.

KOIWAI DAIRY PRODUCTS CO., LTD.

Yasugi Milk Product Co.,LtdNIPPON PAPER CRECIA CO.,LTD

TOYOTOMI MILK PRODUCTS

Koshin Milk Products Co,Ltd

YUGEN GAISHA YOEKISHADAIWA ITAGAMI CO., LTD.

【Kanagawa】【Tottori】
DAISEN Dairy agricultural cooperative【Shimane】【Okayama】

13 supporting members
Oji Eco Materials Co.,LtdNISHINIHON EIZAI CO.,LTD

SHIN-EI PAPER MFG.CO.,LTD.

Takanashi Milk Products Co.,Ltd.

OHAYO DAIRY PRODUCTS CO.,LTD

Marutomi Paper Company

YOKOHAMA MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

KAJIHARA MILKPRODUCTS CO.LTD

YAMADAYOUJI SYOUTEN CO., LTD.

Fujiya Milk Co., Ltd.

KONDO MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.

HIRUZENRAKUNOU NOUGYOU KYOUDOU KUMIAICRESCO Corporation

Oofunato Milk Co., Ltd.

Ashigara Milk Products Co.,Ltd.

okayamanisinougyoukyoudoukumiai

MeadWestvaco Asia K.K.

【Iwate】【Miyagi】
TOUHOKU MORINAGA MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTDfurukawa milk industry Co. Ltd
YAMADA MILK PRODUCTS
Michinoku Milk Co.,Ltd.
Touhoku Glico Dairy Products Co.,Ltd【Yamagata】
Fuji Milk Co., Ltd.

(The fourth edition will be
published in 2015)

Haruna Dairy Cooperatives

Dai Nippon Printing Co.,Ltd.

HAGIWARA MILK PLANT Co.Ltd.

the third edition of “Milk Carton Recycling – Nationwide
Collection of 20 Cases”
Currently, three methods have been established to collect paper
cartons. These are: store collection,municipality collection, and voluntarygroup collection. To make strict
sorted collection a success, it isnecessary to educate the local
community and devise ways that suit
individual communities.This casebook introduces actual recycling
activities carried out by citizens'groups, local governments andvarious business sectors throughout
Japan to assist readers when they
The third edition of “Milk Carton Recycling
are confronted with problems.
– Nationwide Collection of 20 Cases”【Gunma】

ISHIZUKA GLASS Co.,Ltd,【Aomori】

Book "Paper Carton Manifesto"
Nihon Hyouron Sha【Kumamoto】

Japan Dairy Association

Yotsuba Milk Products Co., Ltd.

DVD "Milk Packn's Expedition"

Kannami toubu nougyoukyoudou kumiai

Japan Dairy Industry Association【Hokkaido】

COMCEI has various publications to
help people gain awareness of the
global environment through recycling.

【Tochigi】

GOTO Farm Co.,Ltd
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.
【Ibaraki】

Kyoudou Milk Co., Ltd.
【Nagano】【Hiroshima】

Stora Enso JapanYATSUGATAKE MILK Co.,Ltd.

TOYO MILK INDUSTRY CO.,LTD.

Weyerhaeuser Japan Ltd.

MATSUDA MILK co.ltd

Hiroshima Kyodo Milk Industry Co.,Ltd.

【Niigata】
Niigata-ken Nokyo Milk Co., Ltd.

Chichiyasu Co.,Ltd.
【Yamaguchi】

HARADA Daily Products.CO.,LTD.

Yamaguchi Kenraku Milk industry Co.,Ltd

Tsukada Milk Products.Co.LTD

houfurakunou agricultural cooperative

Sado Milk Products Ltd.
【Toyama】
Tonami Milk Co., Ltd.
Kokuto milk
【Ishikawa】
i.Milk Hokuriku Co.,Ltd.
【Gifu】
Hida Rakuno Dairy Cooperative

Nishimotobokujou
Shikoku Meiji Dairies Corporation【Ehime】
SHIKOKU MILK PRODUCTS CO.,LTD.
【Kochi】
Himawari Milk
【Fukuoka】

Bokuseisha Ltd.

nishirakunyuugyou Co.,Ltd

Seki Milk Co., Ltd.

Omu Milk Products Co.,Ltd.

TOMOE DAIRY PROCESSING CO., LTD

Mino Dairy Cooperatives

KANTO MILK INDUSTRY CO., LTD.

【Shizuoka】
INASA MILK ASSOCIATIONAs of the end of October, 2014

【Kagawa】

IBARAKI DAIRY PRODUCT INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
Ibaraku Co.,Ltd.

Masukoo Paper Company

Sanyo Milk Industry Co., Ltd.

NAGATOSHI-MILK CO., LTD.
【Nagasaki】
SHIMABARA AREA DAIRY FARMERS COOPERATIVE

Outline of COMCEI●Members list

29

2015
Paper Carton
Recycle Loop

Paper Carton Recycling
Annual Report

Dairy product manufacturers andpaper container manufacturers collaborate topreserve the environment related topaper containers such as milk cartons.

Committee for Milk Container
Environmental Issues

A message to members of the paper carton collection associations
Please contact schools, local authorities, public facilities, retail stores,banks and post oﬃces to gain their cooperation with regard to installinga collection box. At the same time, set up a system to enable collection
on a regular basis.When you do not know from where to collect, contact
the section in charge of the local government/public administration.

Recycling rather thanContact the following for more information:

trashing makes you<Secretariat of Japan Milk Carton Recycling Association>
Phone: 03-3360-1098, Fax: 03-3360-7090
4-6-7-201 Higashi Nakano, Nakano Ku, Tokyo 164-0003

feel better.

Committee for Milk Container Environmental Issues

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

Published: January 2015