MUFG, Mitsubishi Chemical, and Refinverse launch office plastic recycling pilot, converting waste into new products while reducing emissions and advancing circular economy.
MUFG Bank, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, and Refinverse Group have jointly entered into a memorandum of understanding to pilot a proof-of-concept project focused on recycling office-generated plastic waste. The initiative aims to establish a closed-loop system that transforms commonly used office plastics—such as clear file folders, packaging materials, and cushioning—into new, usable products. Specifically, plastics collected from the MUFG Bank Nihonbashi Annex will be recycled into employee ID card holders, demonstrating the feasibility of circular resource utilization within corporate environments.
Traditionally, most office plastics, excluding PET bottles, have been disposed of through thermal recycling, which involves incineration and energy recovery but does not retain material value. This project introduces a more sustainable alternative by implementing a structured recycling chain. Used plastics will first be sorted and collected within the office premises, followed by processing into suitable raw materials under stringent quality controls. These materials will then undergo chemical recycling at Mitsubishi Chemical’s Ibaraki Plant, where plastics are broken down into oil using advanced techniques such as supercritical water processing. The recovered oil will subsequently be converted into polypropylene (PP) resin by Japan Polypropylene Corporation, a group company, and molded into new products.
Refinverse will play a central role in managing the logistics of collection and primary processing of plastic waste. According to preliminary estimates by Earth hacks & Co., the initiative could reduce carbon dioxide emissions by more than 30% compared to conventional disposal methods. The participating companies plan to further refine these calculations and visualize the environmental benefits using Earth hacks’ Decarbo Score, enhancing transparency and stakeholder communication.
Since the completion of Mitsubishi Chemical’s recycling facility in July 2025, the company has been evaluating various types of plastic waste as potential feedstock. This proof-of-concept will also assess the overall environmental impact using life cycle assessment methodologies. Additionally, it will explore ways to improve waste sorting behavior among employees and enhance efficiency across the recycling value chain, including transportation and preprocessing stages. A key objective is to verify whether plastics generated daily by approximately 1,400 employees at the Nihonbashi Annex can consistently meet the quality requirements for chemical recycling.
The demonstration is expected to confirm that recycled plastics from office environments can produce materials and products comparable in quality to those made from virgin plastics. Building on these insights, the three companies intend to expand the model by collaborating with other businesses and local governments to promote regional-scale plastic resource circulation.
This initiative aligns with MUFG’s 2024–2026 Medium-Term Business Plan, which prioritizes achieving carbon neutrality and advancing a circular economy. Similarly, Mitsubishi Chemical is actively promoting sustainable material solutions through recycling, bio-based feedstocks, and CO2-derived inputs. Refinverse, with over two decades of experience in circular practices, continues to innovate by developing recycled materials such as nylon pellets from discarded fishing nets and airbags, as well as asphalt modifiers derived from automotive waste. Together, these efforts reflect a broader commitment to reducing environmental impact while unlocking new economic opportunities through sustainable resource management.
