Otsuka Pharmaceutical finalises an agreement with Fukuroi City on the horizontal recycling of PET bottles
Photo: The signing ceremony for the resource circulation agreement was held at Fukuroi City Hall on February 13. (From left: Toshihiro Miyachi, Factory Manager of Fukuroi Factory, Otsuka Pharmaceutical; Toyota Tsusho; Noriyuki Oba, Mayor of Fukuroi City; Toshihiko Maki, General Manager of the Sustainable Plastic Department)
Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Otsuka) has entered into an agreement with Fukuroi City, Shizuoka Prefecture, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation to promote resource circulation and the horizontal recycling of PET bottles. Signed on February 13, this initiative aims to contribute to a sustainable society by fostering a local production and recycling system for PET bottles. Through the collaboration, Otsuka’s Fukuroi Factory will play a key role in advancing bottle-to-bottle recycling efforts.
Strengthening local production and recycling efforts
Otsuka’s Fukuroi Factory, which produces beverage products, has long been engaged in environmental sustainability efforts. The company has maintained an Environmental Conservation Agreement with Fukuroi City since 1995 and, in 2017, expanded its collaboration by signing a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement to support initiatives in health promotion and sports participation.
With the newly signed resource circulation agreement, PET bottles collected within Fukuroi City will be repurposed as raw materials for new PET bottles manufactured at the Fukuroi Factory. Additionally, Otsuka and Fukuroi City will work together to enhance public awareness of recycling through educational campaigns, including posters and videos that emphasize the benefits of bottle-to-bottle recycling.
Initiatives to advance bottle-to-bottle recycling
Otsuka has signed similar resource circulation agreements with 21 municipalities across Japan, including Tokushima Prefecture, where the Otsuka group originated, and Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture’s Ono District, known for its UNESCO World Heritage site, Shirakawa-go. The company also supports recycling efforts at large-scale events, such as marathons and outdoor music festivals, collaborating with local communities to promote sustainable practices.
Environmental initiatives
Since its establishment in 1996, the Fukuroi Factory has focused on reducing its environmental footprint. It was the first facility in Japan to adopt a positive-pressure aseptic filling method in 2007, allowing for the production of beverages in lightweight PET bottles. Employees actively participate in environmental volunteer activities, including cleaning city roads and maintaining flower beds around Fukuroi’s sports venues, further reinforcing the company’s commitment to the local community.
Otsuka integrates sustainability into its corporate philosophy, addressing key environmental challenges through its Circular Economy initiatives. The company has committed to reducing reliance on fossil-derived materials and minimising waste discharge into nature. As part of its Otsuka Group Plastics Statement, it promotes bottle-to-bottle recycling, introduces PET bottles made from recycled resin, expands label-free bottle options, reduces material weight, and explores alternative packaging materials. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance resource efficiency across the entire value chain, from procurement to production, logistics, and sales, ensuring a sustainable coexistence with both natural and biological resources.
