Successful Blockchain Pilot Project for Plastic Waste Tracking Completed in Japan

Circularise, alongside Japanese trading giants AMITA and Marubeni, has achieved a significant milestone in the world of waste management by harnessing the power of blockchain technology. This pioneering pilot project, initiated in Kobe, Japan, has showcased the potential of blockchain in tracking plastic waste throughout its lifecycle.

During the testing phase, Circularise introduced two digital product passports that tracked plastic bottle caps at every stage of the recycling process. These passports meticulously documented the composition of two types of caps: polypropylene and polyethylene. This level of traceability ensures greater transparency and accountability in waste management.

Circularise's experiment was conducted as part of the Japanese Closed-Loop Economy Partnership (J-CEP), a groundbreaking initiative launched in October 2022. J-CEP focuses on waste recycling in Japan, bringing together over 170 companies from the private and public sectors. The projects under J-CEP aim to recycle plastic and food waste while implementing environmentally friendly patented technologies.

Jordi de Vos, Co-founder of Circularise, emphasized that blockchain technology makes data manipulation nearly impossible within the supply chain. Additionally, it allows for the tracking of recycled materials' origins. The company successfully tested its Smart Questioning technology with six Japanese firms in real-world scenarios, creating a digital product passport without compromising user privacy.

While Circularise is committed to raising awareness about digital product passports among consumers and businesses, critics have voiced concerns about blockchain's environmental impact. The energy-intensive nature of Proof-of-Work (PoW) consensus algorithms used in blockchain networks has raised questions about its environmental sustainability.

In conclusion, Circularise's successful blockchain pilot project in Japan represents a significant leap forward in waste management technology. However, the ongoing debate about blockchain's environmental implications highlights the need for sustainable solutions in the pursuit of a cleaner and greener future.