Synopsis
Launched in 2024, the YRC Platform is a public-private initiative to promote decarbonization and circular economy through local resource circulation.
Implementation Period
Since 2024
Stakeholders and Partners
・Manufacturing and distribution industries that provide goods and services to consumers (Arterial industries)
・Recycling and waste management industries (Venous industries)
・Resources and Waste Recycling Bureau of the City of Yokohama
Background, Challenges and Objectives
[Background]
Yokohama is Japan’s largest ordinance-designated city, with a population of approximately 3.77 million, and has developed as an international city facing Tokyo Bay. In the past, while the city had a high concentration of urban functions, it had also developed a structure based on mass-production, mass-consumption, and mass-disposal, leading to significant waste generation and the need for a strengthened waste treatment system. Under these circumstances, the City of Yokohama promoted waste separation and recycling based on the “Yokohama G30 Plan” formulated in 2002, through initiatives such as waste separation by citizens and businesses and the development and introduction of recycling technologies by businesses. As one of the results of this policy, the target of reducing waste by 30% was achieved ahead of schedule. In addition, the “Yokohama 3R Dream Plan” formulated in 2010 promoted 3R activities and reducing the amount of generated waste. Given the current background of social trends such as the transition to a circular economy and the implementation of a decarbonized society, it is necessary for Yokohama as a city to create a system for responsible resource circulation.
Against this backdrop, waste treatment companies hoped to contribute to the abovementioned transition and implementation through the advancement of treatment technologies, such as plastic recycling and biomass use. However, in order for the waste treatment industry to develop as a growth industry, it was necessary to strengthen efforts for resource circulation in cooperation with the manufacturing industry and for local production for local consumption. Then, the City and waste treatment companies held discussions for about a year, sharing their respective challenges. In 2024, seven local businesses and the City of Yokohama signed an agreement to launch the YRC Platform.
[Objectives]
The YRC Platform aims to contribute to decarbonization through the creation of sustainable resource circulation in Yokohama. Therefore, this platform will leverage the knowledge and network of local businesses and establish a system to facilitate public-private partnership initiatives between the City and businesses. This will enable the creation of new businesses through the collaboration among industries, leading to waste recycling and higher recycling rates.
Actions and Implementation
The YRC platform is endeavoring to create new businesses that will bring about the social implementation of a sustainable resource circulation model. Specific initiatives are as follows.
(1) Promotion of business proposals through seminars and public relations
A kick-off event was held in November 2024 to share issues and raise awareness through lectures by manufacturers, waste treatment, and DX businesses, and panel discussions with the Ministry of the Environment and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry. Moreover, consultation and proposals are being promoted through various seminars and public relations activities.
(2) Consultation and business matching utilizing expertise from the public and private sectors
In response to the proposals received, the City of Yokohama and private business operators utilize their respective strengths to identify issues, organize legal matters, develop schemes, provide a venue for demonstration testing, and matchmaking among the parties involved.
(3) Permanent review committee on medium and long-term issues
In addition, a permanent review committee has been established to address medium and long-term issues such as plastic measures and solar panel recycling, and ongoing discussions and system design are underway. Progress in these activities is regularly shared among all parties concerned, and we ensure ongoing improvements.
In order to make sure that these efforts are not temporary and become firmly established as a sustainable mechanism, we are strategically working to deepen collaboration between the government and private sector operators, and to examine systems for future continuity.
Outcomes and Impacts
The YRC Platform kick-off event attracted a much larger number of applications from business operators than initially expected, and participants showed a high level of interest and appreciation for the platform. This is a significant achievement as a first step in this initiative, as it shows that businesses in and outside of the region have a strong interest in resource circulation.
In the six months since its inception, the platform has received 13 proposals, two of which are in the matching process between businesses in the food service/ lodging industry and those in the recycling/ waste disposal industry.
As the first outcome of the YRC platform, a trial initiative will take place in late August 2025, in which leftover fruit from a hotel buffet in the city will be donated to a local zoo to feed the animals. This initiative promotes food waste reduction and resource circulation within the city, while also providing opportunities for visitors to the zoo to see how local resources can be effectively used.
The public and private sectors are working together to resolve issues concerning other proposals, including providing legal advice by the government and business scheme proposals by private businesses. This is expected to create new business opportunities for local small and medium enterprises and newcomers to the market, and to spread the economic and social benefits of the project.