Tiger circular economy: Collected approximately 31,500 stainless steel bottles in the first 2 years of the project

Tiger Corporation (President: Yoshisato Kikuchi, Headquarters: Kadoma City, Osaka), a world leader in thermal control technology, has been collecting and recycling used stainless steel bottles no longer needed at home, regardless of manufacturer, since October 2021 in order to help realize a sustainable society. We are pleased to report the results of our efforts to collect stainless steel bottles in 2023.

In a survey conducted on our official Instagram, more than 80% of all respondents answered that they have bottles in their homes that are dented or no longer used due to life stage changes, and more than 40% answered that they have more than 3 bottles. We hope you will join us in our activities for the bottle circular economy as a simple SDG action that can be used to organize unnecessary items during year-end cleaning. We will also show you how to take care of your stainless steel bottles so that you can clean them cleanly on a daily basis.

Tiger Circular Economy: Collected approximately 30,000 bottles in the first two years of the initiative!

As a manufacturer of stainless steel bottles, Tiger Corporation believes that “recycling-oriented manufacturing” is our responsibility, and as part of our circular economy action plan for stainless steel bottles, we have set the goals of a 10% (*2) collection rate of used stainless steel bottles, a 50% (*3) percentage of stainless steel bottles made from recycled resin, and collaboration with 100 partners (including companies, municipalities, and organizations) by 2030. In June 2022, we set the goals of achieving a 10% (*2) recovery rate of used stainless steel bottles, a 50% (*3) ratio of stainless steel bottles made of recycled resin, and collaboration with 100 partners (including companies, local governments, and organizations).
In the two years since the initiative began, Tiger and 13 partners nationwide have collected used stainless steel bottles at a total of 434 locations and within Tiger Corporation. The total volume collected over the two-year period amounted to approximately 10,090 kg, which is equivalent to approximately 31,500 stainless steel bottles. (*1)

Until now, when stainless steel bottles were disposed of at home, sorting them after collection was a major burden in the recycling process. This initiative collects a certain amount of stainless steel bottles that are clearly made of stainless steel, thereby reducing the amount of work required for recycling by specialized recycling companies, compared to the conventional method of removing stainless steel from a mixture of different metals. In addition, impurities are minimized, ensuring high-purity stainless steel raw materials.

By using our collection boxes, we will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society in cooperation with local governments and partner companies throughout Japan who support our efforts to reduce the burden of the stainless steel recycling process and to achieve “recycling-oriented manufacturing” in a smooth manner.

*1 When converted at the rate of 1 bottle = 0.32 kg (equivalent to our 800 mL bottle MCZ-S080).
*2 Equivalent to 10% of stainless steel bottles sold annually in Japan *3 Equivalent to 10% of stainless steel bottles shipped by us in Japan

Clean up your bottles at the end of the year! How to clean stainless steel bottles

Cleaning with chlorine bleach is not recommended

Please do not use chlorine bleach as it may cause rust or holes.Oxygen bleach can be used to clean the inside of the body, but please do not use it on the outside of the body as it may cause the paint to peel off.

When there are “rust-like red spots” or “coarse particles” on the inside of the main unit

The stains are caused by mineral components (calcium, magnesium, iron, etc.) contained in the water. For these stains, we recommend the use of citric acid available at supermarkets and pharmacies.
(1) Dilute citric acid (approx. 10 g) with warm water and put it in the body.
(2) After 2 to 3 hours, wash the stain with a soft brush and rinse it thoroughly with water.
(3) Dry it thoroughly.

When there are “tea stains” or “coffee” stains on the inside of the machine

The stains are caused by tannin or oil components contained in beverages. We recommend using the cleaning agent for Tiger vacuum-insulated bottles.
(1) Put in the cleaning agent and slowly pour warm water (approx. 40°C) into the bottle.
(2) After 2 hours, discard the cleaning agent and rinse the bottle thoroughly with water.

Cleaning Powder for Vacuum Insulated Bottles TAA-B100

Detergent for vacuum insulated bottles – it has a sterilizing effect, too.
Just pour some in with hot water, so easy cleaning.
This detergent can be used to clean the inside of vacuum insulated bottles, coffee servers, and thermoses.
Contains 5 warning stickers to indicate cleaning in progress.

Click here for details on how to use and purchase.
https://www.tiger-corporation.com/ja/jpn/product/vacuum-insulated-products/taa-b100/

When the packing has an odor

Depending on the contents, the odor may adhere to the packing. In this case, boiling the packing for about 30 minutes will reduce the odor. You can also use the packing in a dishwasher or dish dryer.
*After removing and cleaning the packing, be sure to put it back in the correct position.
The packing is a consumable item and should be replaced within one year if it does not remove stains or odors, or if it becomes damaged or loose.
*Do not boil the bottles (MMP-W, MMZ-W) in which the bottle washer and packing are integrated. Doing so may damage or deform the bottle sheen.

Collection spot for stainless steel bottles

As of December 1, 2023, stainless steel bottles are being collected at 434 locations nationwide and within Tiger.

“Spots for collecting used stainless steel bottles” (as of December 1, 2023, in no particular order)

• City halls and schools in Kameoka City, Kyoto Prefecture (*)
• City halls and schools in Kadoma City, Osaka Prefecture (*)　
• Koganei City Hall, Tokyo (*)　
• Community center in Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
• Kobe University
• THE THOUSAND KYOTO
• Totoya Kyoto Main Store
• PAPIER TIGRE
• BOSS E ･ ZO FUKUOKA (with Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks)
• Noevir Stadium Kobe (when INAC Kobe hosts a match)
• AEON, AEON STYLE 295stores
• AEON SUPERCENTER 9stores
• IZUMI　3stores
• Hands 15 store
• FUJI RETAILING 4 stores　
• Heiwado 53stores　
• Homes Assist 1 store
• Home Improvement Hirose 30 stores
• Home Center Sakumoto 4 stores
• SUNDAY 10 stores

Total 434 locations

Click here for store names and other locations
https://www.tiger-corporation.com/ja/jpn/feature/sdgs/shop

Collection sites in each municipality (schools, community centers, etc.) are counted together as one location.
Some other collection sites are open for a limited period of time for events, etc.
*Each city does not accept used stainless steel bottles brought in from outside the city.

Tiger Thermos is an initiative for the circular economy
We aim to contribute to the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

[Reference Materials] Recycling model built by Tiger Corporation

Stainless steel bottles no longer needed by households are collected at local schools and businesses and consolidated with recycling specialists. Recycled stainless steel and polypropylene (PP) resin products are produced from the collected recycled materials.

The recycled stainless steel material is transformed into new products and returned to customers, and the recycled resin products are utilized at our production plants.

We aim to realize a circular economy that reduces environmental burdens and achieves sustainable economic growth through the recycling of resources, instead of consuming and disposing of them. (Products using recycled stainless steel are not limited to vacuum insulated bottles.)

Click here for the Circular Economy special page　
https://www.tiger-corporation.com/ja/jpn/feature/sdgs/

Step 1
Collect stainless steel bottles

Collection boxes are installed at municipalities and dealers. We have set up collection boxes in municipalities and dealers.

*Plastic and aluminum bottles cannot be collected.
*Stainless steel bottle pouches cannot be collected.
*With the lid on, wash the bottle well and drain the water.

Step 2
Recycled by a recycling specialist

It is divided into the bottle body and the stem, and the stainless steel raw material from the bottle body and the PP resin (polypropylene) raw material from the stem are recycled.

Step 3
Using recycled raw materials, Production of stainless steel materials and resin products

The raw materials for stainless steel are handed over to stainless steel manufacturers, where they are reborn as new stainless steel materials. PP resin (polypropylene) raw materials are handed over to resin product manufacturers and reborn as resin products (resin boxes used in our factories, etc.).

Step 4
Commercialized using recycled stainless steel. to the customer

Stainless steel materials are reborn into various stainless steel products that are familiar to everyone, and are used in homes.

*Vacuum insulation bottles are not the only products that use recycled stainless steel.