DigInfo –
Kankyo Keiei Sougou Kenkyusyo is currently developing a variety of products made from industrial waste paper.
The Institute has already developed environmentally friendly, reusable chopsticks that contain a recycled paper content of over 50 percent. These chopsticks can be washed over and over and still be reused.
The Institute is also in the process of developing “Mapka” which is a food container made primarily out of recycled paper. These products are created out of a molding material using kneading technology that combines waste paper powder with a polyolefin-based resin. Mapka containers are a new kind of material that maintain the properties of paper as well as possess the elasticity of plastic. After use, they can be recycled like paper products and have potential as a plastic substitute
In the Institute’s Earth Republic line of business, waste paper is mixed with a special starch with a polyolefin-based resin in order to produce foam. These foams are manufactured by extruding foam through steaming the mixture. Currently, these foams are in demand by various manufacturers to be used as packing materials or as heat insulation material.
