プラスチックのトレーにも中東情勢の影　リサイクル工場は値上げに踏み切る　資材価格の高騰が理由の一つ (26/06/02 15:34)

The shadow of the Middle East situation is creeping up on the plastic trays we see every time we buy meat or fish. We visited a recycling plant of a major manufacturer that implemented a price increase of over 20% starting in June. Aoki Supermarket, with approximately 50 stores in Aichi Prefecture, was bustling with shoppers seeking fresh ingredients on the 2nd. Collection boxes were placed at three locations at the store entrance. On the 2nd, customers carrying used trays continued to arrive one after another. Aoki Supermarket collected approximately 140 tons of food trays last year. This is said to be an increase of about 14% compared to fiscal year 2024. Where do the food trays collected at supermarkets and other places go…? Recycling helps save resources. The trays were brought to the factory of FPCO, a major food tray manufacturer, located in Wanouchi-cho, Gifu Prefecture. Workers were sorting the large quantities of trays, separating them into white and colored. FPCO has been collecting and recycling used food trays since 1990. "As environmental awareness has taken root among consumers, the amount of trays collected has definitely increased," says Eiji Togashi of FPCO's Sustainability Promotion Office. Approximately 5 tons of trays are collected at this factory daily. Around 1.25 million trays are collected from the three Tokai prefectures, as well as Fukui, Shizuoka, and Shiga prefectures. The trays, sorted by hand, are washed and then finely crushed to be used as raw material for recycled trays. While the original raw material used is naphtha derived from petroleum, recycling helps conserve resources. "We collect trays from over 11,000 locations within the 23,000 supermarkets across Japan. The ratio of the amount of square trays we ship to the amount we collect is approximately 30 percent," says Mr. Togashi. Price Increase for Tray Products Including Recycled Trays Meanwhile, FPCO has increased the prices of tray products, including recycled trays, by more than 20% starting with this month's shipments. One reason for this is the soaring cost of materials due to the escalating tensions in the Middle East. Amidst this uncertain situation, Mr. Togashi emphasizes the need to further promote recycling. "Since we make trays using recycled materials, we don't use any new materials. This also helps conserve petroleum resources. We can't procure materials without the cooperation of consumers, so we ask that you bring your used trays to the store when you're shopping," says Mr. Togashi.