#Japan #Sustainable Practices #Chiyoda #Japan Recycling Carpet #Tile Carpet

The Third General Meeting of Japan Recycling Carpet Association

On April 23, 2025, the Japan Recycling Carpet Association (JRCA), located in Chiyoda, Tokyo and chaired by Tadachi Kondo, held its third general meeting. This meeting comes as the association marks a year and a half since its establishment in November 2023. Currently, the association has expanded to include approximately 90 member companies, all of which are dedicated to promoting and enhancing the use of recycled tile carpets as part of their efforts toward a sustainable society.

A Gathering of Minds

About 40 representatives from member companies participated in the meeting, engaging in vibrant discussions. The meeting commenced with an address by President Kondo, who highlighted, “We have managed to advance towards our common goal of promoting recycled tile carpets, setting aside competitive tensions. Moving forward, we aspire to further raise social awareness and grow into a leading association in our industry.” Following the opening remarks, Secretary-General Tamaki provided a report on the past year's activities, which included the launch of a certification system, implementation of green checks, and introduction of new member companies. This showcased the steady growth of the association and its initiatives.

Addressing Current Challenges

Vice President Ochi presented insights titled “Current Status and Challenges of Recycled Tile Carpets.” He discussed the trends in recycling volumes post-establishment of the association and reported on the current recycling rates. This was followed by discussions focused on organizing challenges to expand collection systems and plans to enhance social recognition. The question-and-answer session covered practical issues, such as the challenges in collecting recycled tile carpets at industrial waste sites, prompting participants to heighten their awareness for future activities.

Commitment to Sustainable Growth

The JRCA is committed to nurturing collaboration within the industry, promoting broader acceptance of recycled tile carpets, and pushing forward initiatives aimed at constructing a circular economy. Future steps and aspirations were outlined by Secretary-General Tamaki, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in achieving sustainability goals.

Summary of the Meeting

• - Date: April 23, 2025
• - Time: 17:00 – 18:00 (General Meeting)
• - Networking Session: 18:00 – 19:30
• - Agenda:

- Opening Address (Chairman Kondo)
- Activity Report (Secretary-General Tamaki)
- Current Status and Challenges (Vice President Ochi)
- Future Plans and Outlook (Secretary-General Tamaki)
- Networking session

About Japan Recycling Carpet Association

• - Name: Japan Recycling Carpet Association (JRCA)
• - Location: 3-4-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
• - Chairman: Tadachi Kondo
• - Website: https://recycle-carpet.jp/

Established on November 1, 2023, to promote carpet recycling, JRCA has been actively involved in tile carpet recycling for about two decades. To date, member companies have facilitated the recycling of approximately 60 million square meters (300,000 tons) of materials. Each year, around 5 million square meters of tile carpet, which corresponds to about 20% of Japan's tile carpet market, undergoes horizontal recycling. This success is attributed to the cooperation among users, collectors, recyclers, and manufacturers, transcending industry boundaries to form a strong, unified organization.