[Approximately 1.56 Billion Bottle Caps Collected Last Year!] Expanding Activities Contribute to Both 'Vaccine Support' and 'Environmental Protection' Through Use in Recycled Products

The NPO 'For the Children of the World, Vaccine Japan Committee' (hereinafter referred to as JCV) cooperates with UNICEF to deliver vaccines for polio, measles, and other diseases to children in developing countries, protecting their lives and futures through child vaccine support. Among various support methods, support through 'plastic bottle cap collection and recycling' has significantly increased in recent years.

Approximately 1.56 billion caps were collected in 2025, an increase of 60 million caps compared to the previous year. This contributed to support equivalent to approximately 1.56 million doses of polio vaccine. Furthermore, the utilization of recycled materials is progressing, with new products such as chairs, tables, and recycling bins made from collected caps newly available for sale.

The plastic bottle cap collection activity has become established nationwide as an initiative that leads to double social contributions: 'vaccine support to protect children's lives' and 'recycling to protect the environment,' with the circle of support expanding significantly.

Click here for details on the plastic bottle cap collection activity.

[Expanding Circle of Child Vaccine Support Through Plastic Bottle Cap Collection]

Child vaccine support through plastic bottle cap collection is an SDGs activity that can be easily done in daily life. To participate, simply collect the caps and hand them over to collection points such as recycling companies partnered with JCV, or supermarkets. Anyone, from young children to the elderly, can participate without burden.

The collected caps are processed by recycling companies into a recycled plastic material called 'pellets,' which are then sold to various manufacturers. A portion of the sales profit, calculated based on the weight of the collected caps, is donated to JCV and used for child vaccine support.

Currently, 91 companies at 110 locations across 41 prefectures are cooperating as collection and recycling businesses that accept caps in partnership with JCV. Additionally, the number of companies and organizations, such as supermarkets and social welfare councils, that set up collection boxes and act as local collection points is increasing.

Last year, 2025, approximately 1.56 billion plastic bottle caps were collected for child vaccine support throughout the year (an increase of approximately 60 million caps compared to the previous year). This translates to support equivalent to approximately 1.56 million doses of polio vaccine.

[Progress in Plastic Bottle Cap Collection and Recycling]

Supported by the societal trend of emphasizing SDGs, recycled materials made from plastic bottle caps are now utilized in various products we use daily, including detergent and fabric softener bottles, planters, and sports megaphones.

Notably, the shopping basket 'Bottle Cap Basket' (manufactured by supermarket Co., Ltd.), which received the Good Design Award in 2023, has become commonplace in supermarkets and home centers nationwide.

Introduction video of 'Bottle Cap Basket'

Furthermore, products such as chairs, tables, and recycling bins made from boards created from caps are continuously being developed, indicating that the recycling loop is progressing smoothly.

[JCV's 'Child Vaccine Support Activities']

In developing countries, infectious diseases such as polio, measles, and tetanus pose daily threats, continuously taking the lives and smiles of many children. The number is 4,000 children per day. One child dies every 20 seconds from a disease that could have been prevented by vaccination.

We, 'For the Children of the World, Vaccine Japan Committee' (JCV), are a private international aid organization that delivers vaccines to children in developing countries to protect their lives and futures through our 'Child Vaccine Support' activities. Many infectious disease vaccines are very inexpensive, costing as little as 20 yen per dose. Since our establishment in 1994, we have cooperated with UNICEF and the health ministries of various countries to deliver vaccines to approximately 140 million children.

With your support, last year, 2025, we provided vaccines and related equipment worth approximately 117.75 million yen to children in four countries: Myanmar, Laos, Bhutan, and Vanuatu.

[Organization Overview]

Organization Name

Certified NPO For the Children of the World, Vaccine Japan Committee

Representative

Mutsuo Kenmochi, Chairperson

Founder

Kayoko Hosokawa (Wife of former Prime Minister Morihiro Hosokawa)

Head Office Location

Mita Hillside Building 8F, 4-1-9 Mita, Minato-ku, Tokyo

URL

www.jcv-jp.org

Established

January 29, 1994

Special Supporters

Keiko Takeshita (Vaccine Ambassador/Actress), Takeshi Wada (Former Professional Baseball Player), Yu Hayami (Singer/Actress), Kiyomi Mikuni (Chef/Representative Director of Societe Mikuni Co., Ltd.), Nakako Shindo (Senior Advisor, WHO Health Emergencies Programme), Ryuji Kagami (Translator/Psychological Astrologer), Yuko Ando (Journalist), Bottleman (Takara Tomy Co., Ltd.)