Yokohama City in Kanagawa Prefecture, south of Tokyo, launched a project to reuse recycled dry cell batteries in February 2005 in collaboration with the RE Organization, a Tokyo-based nonprofit organization. This is the first case in Japan in which a local municipality and an NPO cooperate in such a project.

The internal dry cell in a disposable camera retains a fair amount of power even after the film is used up. In fact, however, most of those dry cells are disposed after use. To promote their reuse, Yokohama and the RE Organization started a project to sort out dry cells with 95 percent or more of their power remaining, then repackage and resell them.

The NPO collects and inspects the used dry cells. After that they are repackaged in facilities and workshops for the disabled in Yokohama, and then sold at stores where the disabled are also employed, called Fureai Shops, as well as other places in the city.

A pack of 10 alkaline cells (size AA) is 400 yen (a little less than $4), which is about half the market price. Yokohama City buys the recycled dry cells as supplies for city hall while also calling on the general public to reuse the batteries.



Posted: 2005/05/31 02:43:35 PM
Japanese version

TAG Energy , Local government , Material reduction , NGO/Citizen