From Forests to Oceans: Corporate Solutions to Marine Plastic Pollution
Environmental Initiatives Starting with Plant-Derived Detergents
A company that has been manufacturing plant-based detergents since the 1970s is now moving to solve the marine plastic problem. Why has a detergent manufacturer, which has previously focused on rainforest conservation, turned its attention to ocean issues?
Saraya, known for its plant-based dish soap "Yashinomi Detergent," has been addressing environmental issues since the 1970s. At that time, petroleum-derived detergents were mainstream, and river pollution from household wastewater was a serious social problem. Based on the philosophy that "it is contradictory for a detergent that cleans things to pollute nature," the company developed a detergent made from vegetable oil.
Lessons Learned from Forest Conservation in Borneo
In the 2000s, a new problem emerged in the production process of palm oil, a key ingredient for the company. In Borneo, the expansion of oil palm plantations due to increasing demand for palm oil led to the deforestation of rainforests. This environmental destruction deprived wildlife such as elephants and orangutans of their habitats.
Upon learning of this issue, the company has continued its environmental conservation activities in the region for about 20 years. Specifically, it has been involved in wildlife protection, rainforest restoration through the repurchase of plantations, and supporting farmers in obtaining sustainable agriculture certifications. A system was also established where 1% of the sales of related products are donated to international NGOs for wildlife rescue.
A New Challenge in Tsushima
In January 2024, the company established a subsidiary, "Blue Ocean Tsushima," in Tsushima City, Nagasaki Prefecture. Tsushima is one of the areas in Japan most severely affected by marine plastic waste, with over 30,000 cubic meters of waste washing ashore annually. It has been found that about 60% of PET bottles, in particular, drift ashore from neighboring countries such as China and Korea.
The impetus for addressing marine pollution came from a request for cooperation from an overseas environmental organization in 2017. As a company that had created "detergents that don't pollute rivers," realizing the serious pollution situation of the oceans beyond those rivers led them to conclude that addressing this new social issue was necessary.
Aiming to Build a Circular Economy Model
A characteristic of the initiative in Tsushima is not just the collection of drifting waste, but the establishment of a comprehensive recycling system that includes waste generated on the island. The goal is to create an island model for a circular economy by establishing processes for recycling and energy recovery, and by regenerating seagrass beds.
Currently, an example of the project's results is on display at the Osaka-Kansai Expo. This is an automatic hand sanitizer dispenser made from plastic waste that drifted ashore in Tsushima. The drifted plastic is sorted, washed, dried, and pulverized into pellets, which are then combined with manufacturing technology using 3D printers to create products.
Corporate Stance on International Issues
Negotiations for an "International Plastic Treaty" are currently underway at the United Nations, but they are proving difficult due to differing national interests. Achieving the goal of zero new plastic pollution by 2040 is proving challenging.
Amidst this, the company joined the "Business Coalition for a Global Plastics Treaty" in 2023, clearly stating its position in favor of a more ambitious and legally binding treaty. Few Japanese companies participate in this coalition, reflecting the company's long-standing commitment to environmental issues.
The Importance of Understanding the Ground Situation
The company also runs campaigns that allow consumers to experience the actual sites in Borneo and Tsushima. The aim is to help them understand the connection between daily consumption patterns and environmental problems by experiencing the realities behind these issues.
Expectations for the Future
In the current situation where international cooperation on environmental issues, including plastic problems, is not aligned, the significance of individual companies raising on-site problems and demonstrating concrete solutions is immense. If the resource circulation model in Tsushima succeeds, it could become a new model case that Japan, as an island nation, can share with the world.
Environmental initiatives, which began with the development of plant-derived detergents, are now evolving into the creation of a circular economy model aimed at solving the marine plastic problem. The company's efforts, expanding from forest conservation to marine conservation, are being watched as an important demonstration experiment for achieving a sustainable society.
*This article is a re-composition based on content published by Sustainable Brands Japan, with unique insights.