ECOPLA
Dinosaur Skeleton Plastic Model Tyrannosaurus
Bandai Hobby Center
Gunpla Academia
The Bandai Namco Group's sustainability policy is to work together with fans based on the IP axis strategy to advance sustainability activities that focus on the social issues that the Group should address. Based on this policy, we will introduce sustainability activities that are unique to Bandai Spirits, which deepen our connection with customers and fans.
Collection box for used runners
Image of ECOPLA assembly workshop
Operation Gundam R 2021
In April 2021, the four companies of the Bandai Namco Group (Bandai Namco Holdings, Bandai Spirits, Bandai Namco Amusement, and Bandai Logipal) jointly launched the Gunpla Recycling Project, which aims to collect runners from the Gunpla series of Gundam plastic models and work together with fans to contribute to the realization of a recycling-oriented society.
Operation Gundam R 2021
Operation Gundam R 2022
Used runners are collected from fans by installing collection boxes at approximately 200 directly amusement facilities operated by Bandai Namco Amusement. Bandai Logipal trucks that transport amusement prizes to facilities bring back runners on their return trips, thereby reducing the environmental impact of transportation.
With the help of our fans, we collected about 11 tons of runners in the 2021 fiscal year, and we collected about 21 tons in the 2022 fiscal year.
The collected runners, together with plastic waste from the plastic model production process, are partially reused as materials for demonstration experiments to realize chemical recycling, and the rest is reused through material and thermal recycling.
Material recycling is a recycling method in which used plastics are crushed, melted, and solidified for reuse. "ECOPLA" are products that make use of this recycled material.
At an event titled Operation Gundam R (Recycle), we distribute ECOPLA and conduct activities to raise awareness about recycling through Gundam and Gunpla by offering visitors the opportunity to experience everything from assembly to collection.
Yukio
Matsuhashi
Deputy General Manager,
Global Business Department
and Creation Department,
Hobby Division
BANDAI SPIRITS
CO., LTD.
How we will use our limited resources going forward is an important issue for us. Through the Gunpla Recycling Project, we recycle plastic model runners to be used as a resource to allow fans to enjoy our products sustainably.
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How we will use our limited resources going forward is an important issue for us. Through the Gunpla Recycling Project, we recycle plastic model runners to be used as a resource to allow fans to enjoy our products sustainably.
The key to this project is that the cycle begins with the actions of fans. Fans bring runners to the collection boxes to start recycling.
Before the project was launched, there were concerns about whether customers would go out of their way to bring used runners to our collection boxes, but with support from so many people, the amount we collect is increasing year by year.
Some of the collected runners were reborn as ECOPLA, which many children enjoyed at free assembly workshops and at “Gunpla Academia,” and this makes us feel that the cycle is expanding.
In this way, we are happy to be able to connect with fans through Gundam and Gunpla and to work together in a sustainable way.
Gunpla-kun, a character designed to communicate the fun of plastic models, explains how the Gunpla Recycling Project works. The videos are used in“Gunpla Academia” classes.
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(4 minutes)
Some of our plastic models are made using plastic alternatives. We use these materials actively in an effort to reduce our use of petroleum-based plastics and contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
Eggshell plastic is a new material made partly from eggshells, which are generated as industrial waste. We combine polystyrene resin and bio-derived (biomass) materials to reduce the percentage of petroleum-derived plastics we use.
GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE LIMITED ENTRY GRADE
1/144 RX-78-2 GUNDAM [CLASSIC COLOR]
*This is an event-exclusive product.
[What is Classic Color?]
Classic Color refers to a warm, classical coloring that makes the most of the color of the molding itself, which is born from the cycle.
Dinosaur Skeleton Plastic Model Tyrannosaurus
Dinosaur Skeleton Plastic Model Triceratops
By using LIMEX, a new material made mainly from limestone, we have reduced the percentage of petroleum-derived plastics used in our products to less than 50% by weight.
About LIMEX
LIMEX is a new material from Japan made primarily from limestone. It can be molded as an alternative to plastic, thereby reducing the need for petroleum-derived materials.
Runners made of KPS
KPS pellet material
We have developed KPS (reinforced [Kyouka] polystyrene [PS]), a new plastic material with superior strength and durability, and we are using it in plastic models. KPS offers both strength and flexibility and is suitable for painting and recycling. Bandai Spirits will continue its efforts to develop next-generation plastics.
Multi-color molding machine
Runners of plastic models produced by a multi-color molding machine
Multi-color molding is a Bandai Spirits proprietary technology that allows us to mold up to four colors and four different materials simultaneously. Plastic models have evolved dramatically through the use of multi-color molding machines, which have made it easy for anyone to assemble plastic models and make them look good. At the same time, these machines contribute significantly to the reduction of environmental impact in two ways.
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Multi-color molding machine
Runners of plastic models
produced by a multi-color molding machine
1. Reduction of power consumption
The annual power consumption of the latest electric multi-color molding machine is 60% lower than that of the first model.
2. Conservation of used materials
By using multi-color molding machines, we are able to reduce the amount of material used for parts of the outer runners.
(Left) Runners of products released in 1980
(Right) Runners of products released in 2020
We are working to minimize the amount of plastic used in runners. While maintaining their quality maintenance function, the runners have been designed to have as narrow a diameter as possible and have allowed us to eliminate the outer frame runners. The runner design has been improved based on the results of flow analysis of plastic resin, and the molds are made by skilled craftsmen to make high quality products while reducing the amount of material used.
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(Left) Runners of products released in 1980(Right) Runners of products released in 2020
1.Reduction of runner diametersThe diameter of runners (particularly parts of the runners that have little impact on molding) is designed to be as narrow as possible to allow the material to flow.
2.Corner design ingenuityIn the past, the corners of the outer frames of the runners were designed with right angles, but by removing the corners and making them round, we have been reducing material usage to the greatest extent possible.
3.Denser product layoutProduct parts have been moved into empty spaces to achieve a smaller runner frame layout. The amount of packaging material is reduced at the same time.
4.Reduction of the outer frame of the runnerFor certain products, the outer frames of the runners for part retention have been removed.
We have developed “Gunpla Academia,” a set of teaching materials based on Gunpla, and are providing it as a free class package to elementary schools with the aim of raising awareness about sustainable manufacturing.
The students learn about the fun and depth of manufacturing and how to respond to global environmental issues by actually touching and assembling Gunpla in assembly workshops, as well as by watching videos that introduce the production process, the people involved, our work, and our recycling activities.
The program began in October 2021, and by March 2023, approximately 240,000 children from approximately 3,800 elementary schools had participated.
■Using plastic models as subjects, students learn about factory production processes and the development of the latest advanced technologies.
■Students learn about the efforts of people involved in the production of plastic models and their work ethic.
■Students are given the opportunity to develop their own ideas about problems and solutions around sustaining high-quality manufacturing technology in the future.
| Target Audience | Fifth grade students at elementary schools(fourth and sixth grade students can also participate) |
| Subjects | Social Studies—Industrial Production in Japan (5th grade), integrated learning time/special activities, as part of learning about the SDGs |
| Teaching Materials | Teaching plan, videos, plastic model for assembly experience, etc. (all free of charge) |
| Hours | Pre-lesson (45 minutes × 2 periods), main lesson (45 minutes × 1 period), enrichment lesson (45 minutes × 1 period or more) |
The Bandai Hobby Center strives to improve and pass on the skills to produce plastic models in order to meet the expectations of fans and continue to improve the value of plastic models.
In 2012, we introduced the Meister System to evaluate employees who have accumulated knowledge and outstanding skills in pursuit of product quality, as well as to train the next generation to further improve their skills.
Since 2022, our meisters have been offering extracurricular lessons to technical schools and universities in order to increase the number of manufacturing personnel in Japan. We are working to increase the number of future manufacturing personnel by teaching the next generation about our experiences and ideas in technological innovation and the challenges of working in manufacturing.
Norihiro
Takao
Junior Meister
Creation Department,
Hobby Division
BANDAI SPIRITS
CO., LTD.
At the Bandai Hobby Center (Naganuma, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka), which serves as the plastic model production plant for Bandai Spirits, carbon offsetting and power purchase agreements (PPAs) have reduced CO2 emissions from electricity use to net zero.
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Main building (Right) and new building (Left) of the Bandai Hobby Center*The solar panels on the wall of the main building were installed in 2006.
At the Bandai Hobby Center (Naganuma, Aoi-ku, Shizuoka-shi, Shizuoka), which serves as the plastic model production plant for Bandai Spirits, carbon offsetting and power purchase agreements (PPAs) have reduced CO2 emissions from electricity use to net zero.
Through the carbon offset initiative, which was introduced in July 2022, we purchase electricity from renewable energy sources with non-fossil certificates with tracking information (*1). As a result, the Bandai Hobby Center uses electricity with net zero CO2 emissions.
As part of our efforts to achieve self-sufficiency in electric power through the photovoltaic power generation PPA business, we installed solar panels across approximately 1,202 m2 of the rooftop area of the Bandai Hobby Center, and we plan to use the photovoltaic power we generate starting in April 2023. The annual amount of electricity supplied from our own rooftop solar panels is planned to be approximately 260,000 kWh (*2).
Since the completion of the Bandai Hobby Center in 2006, we have installed 324 solar panels on the walls of the main building, and we have been working to reduce the environmental impact of the facility by using electricity generated from sunlight. Through these efforts, the Bandai Hobby Center will continue to contribute to the reduction of CO2 emissions.
(*1) Non-fossil certificates with tracking information are certificates of environmental value associated with electricity generated from solar, wind, biomass, geothermal, and small hydroelectric generation methods and the location of the power plants. Environmental value refers to zero-emissions value (zero CO2 value), non-fossil value (value under the Sophisticated Methods of Energy Supply Structures), and environmental labeling value (clearly labeled added value).
(*2) Calculated using a method to deduce the amount of electricity generated by solar cells according to JIS 8907.
Reuse system for rainwater and well water
At the rainwater storage facility located under the plant, which has a storage capacity of 2 tons, stored rainwater and well water are filtered through a purification system and reused in the plant's toilets as washing water. As a result, approximately 2,000 tons of water is reused annually.
The Bandai Hobby Center pursues the evolution of plastic model technology and continues its environmental efforts.
We have reexamined the use of clear plastic blisters (PET) as cushioning material for figures such as the Ichibankuji and are now actively switching to cardboard packaging.
Change in specifications of Ichibankuji figure packages
For some figure products, we are working to reduce the amount of paper used in instruction manuals by printing instructions directly on the packaging. In addition, the backing paper design that forms a background for the figure inside the package is printed directly on the package to reduce the amount of paper used.
Package with instructions printed directly
A product with the background design printed directly on the box without the backing paper
In order to provide safe and reliable products and services to fans, we have established a number of quality standards related to safety, performance, and labeling, which we continue to strictly enforce. We are also actively working to implement these standards globally.
In addition to inspections prior to mass production, we conduct inspections prior to factory shipment and product acceptance inspections at our partner plants in Japan and overseas. We strive to maintain and improve product quality by conducting multiple inspections for each process.
We also conduct ongoing plant audits at the final packaging plants where our products are manufactured. In addition to maintenance work and environment checks of facilities, we conduct regular checks of a wide range of items, including management systems for equipment, products and materials, and the working environment.
Inspections prior to shipment from the plant
Checking the operation of a needle detector
Checking the management
of tools and equipment
Updated June 2023
ECOPLA