Resolving a social issue to preserve the Nature beauty of Setouchi
The illegal dumping of cars has become a major social issue on remote islands throughout Japan in recent years. The Automobile Recycling Law, in effect since 2005, requires covering the cost of disposal of end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). However, factors such as the high cost of transport from remote islands kept this law from being a sufficient solution.
To preserve the rich nature of the Seto Inland Sea that is lauded for the beauty of its scattered islands and to resolve the issue for island residents, TSUNEISHI KAMTECS has leveraged the Remote Island Countermeasure Support Initiative annually since 2003, and then dismantling them properly at a car recycling facility.
Sparing no human effort in transforming parts into resources
During the dismantling of the ELVs, the parts are meticulously sorted by hand to salvage the reusable parts. After precise treatment of the dismantled car bodies, including removing motors and wiring harnesses containing copper, they are crushed and then melted down in an electric or converter furnace to become raw material for steel, in a procedure compliant with the Automobile Recycling Law. By taking extra steps to heighten the purity of metals such as steel and copper so they can be more readily recycled or reused as parts, we are further decreasing the environmental burden, even though this requires more effort.
Car recycling initiatives are imperative to help resolve the issue of illegal car-dumping on remote islands, not only to preserve the natural beauty of Setouchi, but also to achieve a circular economy. By continuing to expand our recycling domains for effective use of limited resources, we are contributing to a sustainable society.
