Sapporo, a Leader in Waste Reduction, Signs MOU Focused on Paper Recycling

The Hokkaido District Committee of the Japan Paper-Recycling Promotion Center has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the City of Sapporo for a collaboration through the implementation of awareness projects to promote the recycling of miscellaneous paper. Sapporo is a city that has a long history of waste reduction efforts undertaken jointly by citizens, civic groups, and the administration. This collaboration builds upon this foundation by adding new awareness initiatives focused on the paper resources remaining in combustible waste, particularly "miscellaneous paper" (zatsugami). This initiative is part of the model for creating a regional circular and symbiotic society based on the mid-term business roadmap "Towards 2030 & Beyond," aiming to specify paper recycling methods tailored to local conditions. Details of the initiatives based on the MOU: The MOU outlines the following division of roles to promote miscellaneous paper recycling. The City of Sapporo will handle coordination with relevant municipal departments for the distribution of awareness materials created by the Paper-Recycling Promotion Center and their placement at events, as well as coordinating with universities, companies, and related organizations that partner with Sapporo. The city will also aim for public penetration, including the use of city characters. On the other hand, the Paper-Recycling Promotion Center will plan and implement awareness projects related to "miscellaneous paper" recycling, provide awareness materials to Sapporo City, and cooperate with event exhibitions. This allows the government and industry to share roles while accumulating practical, on-the-ground experience. Expansion through collaboration with universities and the community: This initiative also positions collaboration with universities as a key element. Leveraging Sapporo's characteristic as a hub for universities, it aims to broaden understanding of sorting and resource circulation by involving students and research institutions. Furthermore, it will collaborate with companies and citizen groups to increase opportunities for people to feel closer to paper recycling through events and community activities. Through the involvement of these diverse actors, the project aims to create a form of circulation that spreads naturally within the community. Building new initiatives on Sapporo's foundation: Masatomo Kawakami, Executive Director of the Paper-Recycling Promotion Center, expressed his respect for Sapporo's history, stating, "Sapporo is a city where citizens, civic groups, and the administration have worked together to accumulate waste reduction efforts." He added, "In this collaboration, we want to build new awareness initiatives on that foundation and, with the help of the paper recycling industry, citizens, and civic groups, connect it to efforts that can serve as a national model." Outline of the MOU: - MOU Name: Memorandum of Understanding on the Implementation of Awareness Projects for Promoting Miscellaneous Paper Recycling - Signatories: Katsuhiro Akimoto, Mayor of Sapporo; Kiyokatsu Noborizuka, Chairman, Hokkaido District Committee, Japan Paper-Recycling Promotion Center - Main Collaborative Content: Awareness activities for promoting the sorting and collection of recycled paper (especially miscellaneous paper); Implementation of awareness through municipal facilities and events; Promotion of participatory and hands-on awareness in collaboration with universities, educational institutions, companies, and local groups; Utilization of awareness materials and sharing/dissemination of information. Comments: Takahiro Kamo, Director of Environmental Bureau, Sapporo City: Addressing paper waste in burnable garbage is a significant challenge in Sapporo's waste reduction and resource circulation efforts. Through this collaboration under the MOU, we expect that the awareness of sorting miscellaneous paper will become established, and its recycling will be further promoted. Kiyokatsu Noborizuka, Chairman, Hokkaido District Committee, Paper-Recycling Promotion Center: Paper recycling in Hokkaido has been supported by local collection systems and the efforts of related businesses. We hope this collaboration will be an opportunity to build on practices tailored to local conditions and create a new model that can be broadcast from Sapporo. Yuichi Hasegawa, Vice Chairman, Hokkaido District Committee, Paper-Recycling Promotion Center (Chairman, Hokkaido Direct Delivery Commercial Union for Papermaking Raw Materials): From a frontline perspective, "miscellaneous paper" is a resource with remaining potential for sorting. I realize its possibilities and challenges in daily collection. Through this initiative, I hope that understanding of sorting will spread, and the flow of collection and utilization will be more smoothly connected. Find Zatsugami-sama! Character: Zatsugami-sama Find Zatsugami-sama! Awareness Flyer.