Used bras recycled into fuel in Japan

Women in Japan are being encouraged to donate their used brassieres to be recycled as solid fuel for industrial use. Japan Times cited a Kyodo News report where major underwear makers in Japan are taking part in the effort to recycle bras and give women a chance to donate their old undergarments to a good cause. The move is expected to raise Japanese firms' profiles as environmentally conscious companies. However, Japan Times noted that many women were not comfortable in throwing out their underwear which they fear could be stolen by perverts because many areas in Japan require residents to put their garbage in clear plastic bags. Earlier this year, Tokyo-based Triumph International Japan Ltd. provided free plastic bags at some of its stores, where customers were encouraged to place old or unneeded bras to take them to stores. The report said since Triumph began its recycling activities in 2009, it has collected more than 200,000 bras that were recycled into 14 tons of RPF fuel. In 2008, Tokyo-based Wacoal introduced a recycling program where metals are removed from the bras while the remaining parts are converted into fuel for boilers and power generation facilities. Wacoal said it has collected more than 179,200 bras and produced 17.9 tons of the fuel. This year, Wacoal expanded its campaign to some stores in Taiwan. Shirts for recycling Meanwhile, online sporting goods maker Rovex Inc. is also encouraging recycling, offering a ¥500 coupon for each piece of used underwear. Rovex has collected about 300 undergarments for recycling so far. On the other hand, outdoor apparel maker Patagonia Inc. is collecting polyester and cotton T-shirts of its own brand. It commissions textile makers such as Teijin Fibers Inc. to recycle the materials collected into new fiber to weave new clothing. The company said it collected roughly 39 tons of underwear and other clothing for recycling between 2005 and 2010. - VVP, GMA News