MOTTAINAI TOPICS

Mugs made from used dishes and bowls

2008.02.15MOTTAINAI PRODUCT

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40 〜50 tons of used dishes, collected from all over the country, make up 20 % of the products - - -production area of pottery in Gifu and Aichi

Mottainai Mugs’ Sets are to be launched in Tono district where is located in Aichi and Gifu and famous for No. 1 production area of pottery in Japan.

Recycled materials from used dishes and bowls which were sent for the project by consumers all over the country make up 20 % of the products. Those consumers recognize too “Mottainai” to bin off those dishes. Actually, recycled materials enable us to save soil for pottery and reduce waste.
Ai To Co., Ltd. engaging in manufacture and sales in the district developed the Mottainai Mugs. The mugs, mugs with caps, dishes and bowls are to be sold as sets. Those are designed with the Mottainai logo on white background.


　◇Radical reduction of production
　Seto city in Aichi and Tajimi city in Gifu are famous for production area of Mino ware for a long time, and boast more than 50% of the market share. The contrast of chimneys of factories and low hills warm Japanese’ hearts, but the area is no longer economically stable.
People eat out and/or buy deli food at convenience stores or department stores, which caused decrease of pottery usage. Pottery is no longer the main thank-you-for-coming gift, western tableware increased. The production of pottery in Japan achieved a peak, 3,500 tons, in 1995 and then radically decreazed to current 1,200 tons. Many manufacturers shut down or scaled down.


　◇For circle of resources
　Local businesses developed the Utsuwa no Saisei (Recycle of dishes) Project for circle of resources so that consumers buy their products differentiated from European ones. The project got named “Green Life 21”. Used dishes are spalled and mixed into soil to make up 20 % of whole, and spalled further until getting 7〜8 micrometers. Recycled dishes have less environmental burden than pure soil. The product was awarded “Ecology Design Award” of 2001 Good Design Award etc.
Consumers all over the country pay shipping cost and send used dishes. The amount reach 40〜50 tons per year and is increasing every year, according to Yamaka Toryo, Tajimi city in Gifu, that collect those dishes. Some consumers send thank-you letters and sweets together with used dishes.
Mr. Seiji Kato, the vice president, wondered whether consumers would dislike recycled dishes. 　However, the customers said “In noodle restaurants, everyone eats with bowls that someone else used” and Mr. Kato got encouraged very much. “This story is easy to understand” says Mr. Kato.


　◇Problem for Local governments
　Local governments facing the problem of waste disposal are interested in the project. It is estimated in 2005 that the remaining space to accept waste in disposal facilities is to be run out in 14.8 years. Although the amount of recycled materials is increasing, local governments are still facing this problem.
　Mr. Kato says “We have been running facilities to spall soils, so the project causes no additional cost. Once our products get acknowledged by consumers, needs of pottery may increase.”
　Ai To Co., Ltd. has unique brand of resources recycling, and have implemented programs to provide premium tickets when customers bring used dishes. In addition, It develops tableware for elderly people as contribution to society.
　 Mr. Hiroaki Kato, the president of Ai To Co., Ltd. says “We have challenged socially significant issues. The Mottainai Campaign has good messages and is easy to understand for anyone. We expect that recycling society is promoted by getting our products known well.”
（citation from Mainichi Newspaper on Jan 5th, 2008）


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