FAQ

We will answer your questions regarding the activities of the "TUAT Plastic 5R Campus."
Please refer to it before contacting us.

1. Questions about "how did TUAT start this activity?"

Q1. What motivated TUAT to start this initiative?

A1. In 2018, our university launched an integrated research team of agriculture and engineering, headed by a researcher who has been studying microplastic pollution for a long time. Our university's catchphrase is "A research university that solves global issues," and in light of recent international trends regarding plastic pollution, we declared the "TUAT 5R Plastic Reduction Campus" on August 9, 2019, with the efforts of this research team at its core, and are working on this university-wide initiative.
The "TUAT Plastic Reduction 5R Campus" activities are a 5R activity that adds research to Japan's "Plastic Resource Circulation Strategy" of 3R (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) + Renewable (substitution with renewable resources).

Q2. What exactly does the "5R" initiative entail?

As part of our efforts to reduce, we have installed water dispensers on campus and eliminated plastic bottles from vending machines from April 2020. In addition, from November 2019, we began reducing or charging for plastic shopping bags at on-campus stores.
As part of our efforts to Reuse, Recycle, and Renewable, we are encouraging faculty, staff, and students to use their own bottles and bags, and have switched the university's novelty goods to ones made from recycled materials.
As part of our research efforts, a research team led by Professor Hideshige Takada, who is conducting research under the TUAT Fusion Research Support System (TAMAGO), is working on the following four themes:

(A) Survey of the distribution of microplastics and their impact on living organisms
(B) Development of equipment for collecting marine plastics
(C) Development of biomass-based alternative materials
(D) Conduct life cycle assessments of plastics and alternative materials

In addition, we are conducting educational activities to develop the next generation of talent, as well as social contribution activities based on partnership agreements with local governments such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Details of our activities are posted on our website and on Twitter, etc.

2. Questions about "5R" activities

?Questions about "Reduce"

Q1. What measures have you taken to eliminate plastic bottles from your vending machines?

A1. We installed water dispensers for personal bottles on campus, and when selecting vending machines, we set conditions such as "no plastic bottles" and "canned water" for them. In addition, we are working on what we can, such as calling for students not to distribute plastic bottled drinks at on-campus meetings.

Q2. Is there a charge for using the water dispenser?

A2. It is provided free of charge.

Q3. What are the reactions of users of the water dispenser?

A3. More and more people are carrying their own bottles.

Q4. Is the water dispenser installed outdoors?

A4. For hygiene reasons (to prevent insects from entering) and crime prevention reasons, they are installed indoors.

?Questions about "Reuse, Recycle and Renewable"

Q1. How have things changed since you started this initiative?

A1. The university co-op distributed 70,000 plastic bags per year, but this has been reduced to around 700 (as of October 2020).
In addition, the university co-op sells M-size eco-bags, and Yume Ichiba (Dream’s Market) sells L-size eco-bags, which are also being used.

Q2. What kind of original plastic-free university goods does your university make?

A2. In cooperation with the University Co-op, we sell reusable bottles for water dispensers. We also sell M-size eco-bags at the Nokou Yume Market, and L-size eco-bags at Yume Ichiba (Dream’s Market).
Although we do not sell these items, we create novelty items to be used as mementos for events or as thank-you gifts for fundraisers. These include paper pens, paper files, towels, cotton tote bags, coasters made from thinned wood, and calendars.
There are still few examples of plastic-free goods, so we would like to continue to explore this in the future.

Q3. What is your reaction to the original my bottle?

The original personal water bottles sold at the university co-op have been very well received, with 300 bottles sold (as of March 2020). They have been purchased by a variety of people, including faculty and staff as well as students.
Additionally, some students are seen bringing their own reusable bottles rather than using the original ones provided.

?Questions about "education for students"

Q1. What kind of education do you provide?

A1. Starting in April 2020, we have been offering lectures on solving plastic issues as a required course for first-year students.
We are also recruiting "TUAT Plastic Reduction 5R Campus Student Volunteer Team" and accepting activity proposals from students.

Q2. What kind of activities do you do outside of class?

A2. In 2019, we formed the "TUAT Plastic Reduction 5R Campus Student Volunteer Team." We are creating guides for water dispenser installation locations to be published in the "Student Handbook."
In addition, we occasionally call for proposals from students.

?Questions about "social contribution"

Q1. What kind of public awareness activities do you carry out?

A1. We are the first university to participate in the "Team Mottainai" initiative launched by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and in November 2019, as part of the "Team Mottainai" initiative, we participated in outreach and awareness-raising activities, such as introducing our university's initiatives at the "Tokyo PR Caravan" held at school festivals and other events at six universities in Tokyo. In addition, we are sending our university researchers to training sessions held by local governments and other organizations, open lectures for citizens, and other events to raise awareness.