2023 Volume 34 Issue 5 Pages 347-354
In 2022, Hyogo Prefecture established the “Hyogo Plastic Material Cycles Consortium” to promote the reduction of plastic use and the recycling of resources through collaborative efforts between local residents, non-profit organizations, businesses, recycling companies, and other stakeholders from different industries. The consortium focuses on four key themes: 1. Reducing plastic consumption; 2. Encouraging closed loop recycling; 3. Facilitating efficient material cycles among municipalities; and 4. Behavioral changes.
Plastics play a significant role in our daily lives due to their convenience and durability. Therefore, it is crucial to gain the understanding and cooperation of local residents, businesses, and other stakeholders to achieve the goals outlined in the themes 1 through 3. To address the waste issue and encourage action at a personal level, pursuing the theme 4, which is interrelated to all themes of 1 through 3, is of utmost importance. To achieve this objective, the prefecture is promoting the use of Pirika, a social media app that visualizes the progress in litter control.
This article provides an overview of the Hyogo Plastics Material Cycles Consortium and highlights the initiatives being taken to visualize advancements in litter control using the social media app within the prefecture.
