Reduce / Reuse / Recycle

January 12, 2006

 

Recycling System for FRP Vessels Underway

Keywords: Manufacturing industry Policy / Systems Reduce / Reuse / Recycle 

The Japan Boating Industry Association, a group of manufacturers of fiber reinforced plastic (FRP) vessels, launched a recycling system for vessels made of FRP in November 2005. The system was developed mainly by seven major manufacturers: Kawasaki Heavy Industries, Ltd., Suzuki Motor Corp., Tohatsu Corp., Toyota Motor Corp., Nissan Marine Co., Yamaha Motor Co., and Yanmar Marine System Co.

The illegal disposal of FRP vessels has become a major problem in Japan in recent years. They are generally difficult to dispose at end of life, because of high disposal costs and characteristics of the vessels, such as the use of high-strength materials, large sizes, product durability, and the fact that their use is thinly but widely spread throughout the country.

The FRP Recycle Center, established within the association, plays a key role in the recycling system. Registered stores receive an application for recycling of an FRP vessel, make a quotation, temporarily store it, and then send it to designated factories to be recycled.

In fiscal 2005, the recycling system operation was limited to two areas: the western Seto Inland Sea and the northern Kyushu areas (Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, Ehime, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto prefectures). The association plans to continue expanding areas covered nationwide during and after fiscal 2006.

http://www.marine-jbia.or.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/01/12 09:44:36 AM
Japanese version

 

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