Japan's Fujisogyo Inc., aiming to make a major entry into the recycling industry, has set up a system to recycle used fluorescent light tubes at its Samukawa plant (Kanagawa Prefecture), capable of recycling 1500 light tubes per hour. The system can separate the light tubes into metal or glass by a continuous dry process that requires no treatment of waste liquid. This facility is the first of its kind in Japan. Fujisogyo plans to recycle 3 million light tubes in FY 2003, and 6 million in FY 2004.

The used fluorescent light tubes contain mercury and other toxic materials requiring special treatment. A recycling facility at the Itomuka plant in Hokkaido was previously the only place in Japan with the special treatment process. With an increasing number of ISO 14001-certified companies, more plants are trying to implement the zero-emissions approach to production. This trend appears to have boosted the demand for recycling of used fluorescent light tubes.



Posted: 2002/08/24 05:51:36 AM
Japanese version

TAG Eco-product/Business , Manufacturing industry , Material reduction , Technology