#Japan #Tokyo #Tokyo Government #Sustainable Fuel #RE Company

RE Co. Partners with Tokyo to Collect Used Cooking Oil

On August 20, 2026, RE Co. (located in Toshima, Tokyo, and led by Naoki Imai), signed a significant agreement with Tokyo aimed at enhancing the collection of used cooking oil from multiple sites, particularly apartments.

This initiative is part of Tokyo's broader strategy to encourage sustainable practices in urban settings. The collected used cooking oil will serve as a raw material for biomass fuels, including sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), thus contributing to Tokyo's goal of achieving "Zero Emission" and promoting carbon neutrality within the aviation sector.

Background of the Agreement

As the world shifts towards a carbon-neutral society, the conversion of used cooking oil—often produced in households—into valuable resources such as SAF has garnered significant attention domestically and internationally. While there has been progress in the collection and recycling of used cooking oil in Japan, the recovery rate from households remains alarmingly low compared to commercial sectors. This is attributed not only to the lack of specific technologies for collection or fuel conversion but rather, the absence of a cohesive framework to support these efforts.

Urban centers face unique challenges in expanding collection efforts, including the need for individual negotiations with management companies of residences, compliance with various regulations like waste management laws and fire safety, and the need for coordination with local municipalities. Addressing these challenges requires a collaborative approach, which is why this agreement came to fruition between Tokyo and RE Co.

Roles and Responsibilities

Tokyo will provide support in areas such as disseminating information, raising awareness, and offering advice on relevant laws and regulations. They will also assist in coordinating with administrative bodies such as local municipalities.

Meanwhile, RE Co. will utilize its experience gained through partnerships, such as its collaboration with Nomura Real Estate Partners. Over the years, RE has successfully established collection points in over 20 apartment complexes throughout the metropolitan area. Under this agreement, they aim to build a robust network, working with collection site operators and waste oil retrieval services to facilitate recovery efforts from inception through to recycling.

Future Perspectives

RE Co. plans to enhance its network of collection sites across Tokyo based on the operational knowledge it has gained in managing these sites. The goal is to establish collection frameworks in at least 100 apartment complexes within the first year of this agreement, starting in 2026.

Data regarding collection quantities and locations will be regularly reported to the Tokyo government, allowing for ongoing analysis and improvement of the collection process. By effectively connecting collection to recycling, this initiative aims to exemplify sustainable resource cycling, thereby contributing to community-based zero-carbon goals.

Naoki Imai, representing RE Co., expressed optimism regarding the partnership, stating that enhancing collection rates in urban areas has long been a challenge. He emphasized the importance of establishing accessible collection points, especially in settings familiar to residents, such as apartments. RE Co. will leverage its existing expertise to assist in creating a streamlined process from collection to recycling, advocating for a new model of resource circulation emanating from Tokyo that engages municipalities, businesses, and industry organizations.

Company Overview

• - Name: RE Co., Ltd.
• - CEO: Naoki Imai and Akihiro Ojima
• - Founded: April 2016
• - Headquarters: Grand Toho Building, 1-9-1 Sugamo, Toshima, Tokyo
• - Business Areas: Consulting, production, matching, big data utilization, generative AI, small business support, and creative services.
• - Website: RE Company