Kids Experience Eco-Activities via 'Fun Eco-Soap Making' from Recycled Cooking Oil: Tanaka Iron Works Debuts Original Mascot 'Yu-chan'

Tanaka Iron Works Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Kiyama-cho, Saga; President & CEO: Mitsukazu Murata), a leading manufacturer of asphalt plants, held a special SDGs class and an original eco-soap making workshop themed on recycling Used Cooking Oil (UCO) for children at 'Workshop Collection in Fukuoka 2026' held at Kyushu University Ito Campus on March 21-22, 2026.

Children from across Fukuoka Prefecture participated in the event. Through the workshop, they learned that used cooking oil from their homes should not be discarded as combustible waste but can be recycled as a valuable resource that contributes to various environmental solutions.

The event also marked the debut of 'Yu-chan,' a character representing UCO. Yu-chan was a huge hit among the children, who enjoyed shaking hands and taking commemorative photos. Some children even created soap designs inspired by Yu-chan, making the venue lively and vibrant.

'Workshop Collection,' started by CANVAS in Tokyo in 2004, is an exhibition-style event specializing in workshops for children. It aims to promote and develop creative workshops nationwide to stimulate children's creativity and expression.

Tanaka Iron Works has been expanding the 'Roa(d)cal SDGs Project' across Japan. This public-private resource circulation project collects used cooking oil from local households to use as a biomass fuel alternative to heavy oil or diesel in the production of asphalt mixtures, which are then used to build local roads and sidewalks. Participation in this event aimed to teach the next generation that home-generated used oil is a valuable resource and to improve local understanding of UCO collection in Fukuoka.

The event began with a fun learning session on how UCO is recycled and utilized. This was followed by the 'Original Eco-Soap Making Experience,' where children blended their favorite scents and colors to create their own unique soaps. Parents joined in the 60-minute session, which was filled with energy and excitement.

Children who completed their soaps shared comments such as, 'I had fun learning about recycling used oil' and 'I was surprised that I could make original soap by reusing familiar things.' The session provided a valuable opportunity to experience the wide possibilities of eco-activities.

Tanaka Iron Works aims to achieve carbon neutrality in the road paving industry and will continue to collaborate with local governments and educational institutions nationwide.

About Tanaka Iron Works' Roa(d)cal SDGs Model

To achieve carbon neutrality in the road paving industry, we established a scheme to return used cooking oil from households and restaurants to the local roads used by everyone. UCO serves as a locally produced energy source that contributes to a circular society and reduces environmental burdens such as SOx, NOx, and CO2 emissions. The project name 'Roa(d)cal' is a blend of 'road' and 'local,' symbolizing the expansion of these connections through the paving industry.

About Tanaka Iron Works Co., Ltd.

Founded in 1918, Tanaka Iron Works is an asphalt plant manufacturer primarily providing products and services related to asphalt mixture production. Headquartered in Saga, it operates 15 domestic bases with 200 employees and sales of approximately 6.46 billion yen (as of March 2025). The company is highly recognized by government agencies, including receiving the METI GX Department award and participating in various carbon-neutral initiatives.