#Japan #Tokyo #Waseda University #COMEL #Precious Plastic

Bringing Sustainability to Beauty: The Launch of COMEL

On May 1, 2025, Waseda University’s student organization, Precious Plastic Waseda (PPW), will unveil its original brand, COMEL, featuring handmade combs created from repurposed plastic waste. This initiative stands as a testament to sustainable fashion while inviting a convergence of creativity and environmental responsibility.

The Essence of COMEL

The name 'COMEL' cleverly merges the words 'comb' and 'melt,' symbolizing the essence of putting thought into action through sustainable practices. At its core, COMEL is crafted from plastic collected through strategically placed recycling bins around Waseda University’s campus. The process involves carefully shredding the plastic, followed by heating and compressing it to form beautiful and functional combs, all completed by the dedicated hands of students.

In collaboration with the Ribinet network, which consists of welfare beauty therapists, PPW also utilizes discarded color tube caps (made from polypropylene and polyethylene) collected from salons. This innovative use breathes new life into plastics that would otherwise contribute to pollution, thus creating a bridge between beauty and ecological consciousness.

Unique Features of COMEL

• - Artistic Charm: Each comb showcases a unique marbled pattern created from the blended colors of collected materials.
• - Compact Design: Lightweight and portable, COMEL combs are easy to carry, making them a practical accessory for daily use.
• - Environmental Impact: Each comb contributes to a CO₂ reduction of approximately 29.9g—equivalent to what a single tree absorbs in a day.
• - Student-Crafted: The entire production process, from design to marketing, is conducted by university students, empowering them to engage directly in sustainable practices.

The Mission of Precious Plastic Waseda

Precious Plastic Waseda operates as a sustainable initiative under the nonprofit 'Environmental Rodriguez' acknowledged by Waseda University. The organization empowers students to collect, shred, and reshape waste plastic into new products. They hold workshops and events offering opportunities for people to engage in eco-friendly activities in fun and accessible ways. Between October 2024 and April 2025, they successfully collected around 34.45 kg of plastic, converting about 5.19 kg into products, resulting in a total reduction of 11.32 kg of CO₂ emissions.

Product Launch Details

• - Product Name: COMEL
• - Release Date: May 1, 2025
• - Sales Venue: Official online store of Precious Plastic Japan here
• - Price: 1,000 JPY (including tax)
• - Material: Recycled PP/PE (caps collected from universities and color tube caps from salons)
• - Color: A mix of different colors creating a unique marbled effect, each piece being distinct.
• - Size: Approximately 10 cm in length and weighing around 14g.

Looking Ahead

The COMEL initiative is envisioned not just as a product line but as a catalyst for proactive environmental engagement. While the issue of plastic waste can often feel daunting, the approach taken by Precious Plastic Waseda is refreshingly simple: starting with joy and aesthetics is a perfectly valid beginning. As the project evolves, it aims to continuously present creative access points for people to become directly involved in environmental challenges.

About Precious Plastic Waseda

• - Organization Name: Precious Plastic Waseda
• - Affiliation: Waseda University, Student Environmental NPO Environmental Rodriguez
• - Established: October 2024
• - Official Website: Visit Here
• - Social Media: Instagram, Twitter/X

About Precious Plastic Japan Team

Precious Plastic Japan Team embodies the values of the globally recognized open-source project, Precious Plastic. This network of local recycling initiatives across Japan reclaims plastic waste and transforms it into art or everyday objects, challenging the culture of disposability while striving for a circular economy. They offer support to environmental organizations through the sale of goods with donations attached. Explore their official online store here.