Experiencing Japan’s Circular Economy Firsthand
How do international students view Japan’s recycling industry? This is the first installment in a three-part series exploring that question.
Jane Yip, a high school freshman originally from Hong Kong and currently studying at the British School in Tokyo (BST), recently completed a week-long internship at Arai Shizai Co., Ltd.—a Japanese waste paper recycling company. Passionate about sustainability, she proactively applied for the position through the Hong Kong Trade Development Council.
During her internship, Jane visited various facilities and studied Japan’s approach to circular economy across three materials: paper, textiles, and plastics. This article focuses on her visit to Tsurumi Seishi, a toilet paper manufacturer based in Saitama Prefecture, north of Tokyo.
Tsurumi Seishi is one of only two factories in the Kanto region that exclusively produces toilet paper using 100% recycled paper. The company’s commitment to sustainability makes it a key player in Japan’s recycling infrastructure.
The Life of Recycled Paper: From Office Waste to Bathroom Essential
The recycling journey begins with 180 tons of waste paper delivered daily from offices, printing companies, and collection agencies like Arai Shizai. Unlike many mainstream paper manufacturers, Tsurumi Seishi uses only paper and water—no chemical agents—to create its products.
The process involves shredding the waste paper, blending it with water into a pulp, and removing non-paper elements such as plastic wrappers and metal staples through a filtering system. However, not everything can be reused. The factory spends around 7 million yen (≈ $45,000 USD) monthly to dispose of these residuals at incineration centers.
Water plays a vital role. The factory consumes 8,000 tons of water daily, which is carefully filtered and treated before being released into nearby rivers. Even the leftover ink skimmed off during processing is repurposed at steel plants to help suppress dust.
Once cleaned, the pulp is transformed into giant paper rolls—some large enough to supply one person with toilet paper for 400 years! The rolls are embossed to improve texture and softness, then cut, inspected for defects, packaged, and shipped.
Tsurumi Seishi produces both single-ply and double-ply toilet paper, along with scented variations where fragrance is infused into the inner cardboard core, allowing it to release naturally after packaging.
Balancing Sustainability with Business Realities
Despite its sustainable mission, Tsurumi Seishi must adapt to industry shifts. The decline in demand for shredded confidential documents—due to digitalization—has impacted waste paper supply. Still, some corporations choose Tsurumi over more distant facilities like those in Shizuoka for security and convenience.
The company also invests in employee well-being. Social events like company-sponsored gatherings strengthen team bonds, while truck drivers are treated to free drinks and toilet paper as a small token of appreciation.
Most impressively, the factory's operations are remotely monitored. Machine speeds and pressure settings can be controlled via monitors, ensuring optimal efficiency and quality control.
Final Thoughts: Rethinking the Everyday
Visiting Tsurumi Seishi gave Jane a new perspective on something as seemingly mundane as toilet paper. From waste collection and water filtration to employee care and environmental responsibility, every step is part of a sophisticated and thoughtful cycle.
Next time you use toilet paper, take a moment to consider the unseen journey it took to get to you—from discarded office paper to an eco-conscious household essential.
Tsurumi Seishi Official Website
https://tsurumipaper.co.jp/
