September 15, 2023
Upcycling Used Tea Leaves from Producing Oi Ocha! 1/1 Zakupla-kun, a Gunpla Containing Used Tea Leaves, is Here!
BANDAI SPIRITS and Ito En collaborate! A plastic model kit with a slight scent of tea!
BANDAI SPIRITS and Ito En collaborate to release 1/1 Zakupla-kun, the first Gundam series plastic model kit that uses resin made from upcycled used tea leaves that come from producing green tea beverages.
The 1/1 Zakupla-kun is a plastic model kit with a slight scent of tea, containing used tea leaves from producing roughly two 600ml bottles of Oi Ocha Green Tea.
With over 20% of resin that contains used tea leaves for the head, arm, and leg parts, they have reduced the usage of petroleum-based plastic.
The kit will be available online in the Gundam Metaverse at the DIGITAL venue of the GUDNAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST/WEST/DIGITAL-, a large-scale event held from Friday, October 6, so don’t miss out on this chance to get it.
The 1/1 Zakupla-kun is a plastic model kit with a slight scent of tea, containing used tea leaves from producing roughly two 600ml bottles of Oi Ocha Green Tea.
With over 20% of resin that contains used tea leaves for the head, arm, and leg parts, they have reduced the usage of petroleum-based plastic.
The kit will be available online in the Gundam Metaverse at the DIGITAL venue of the GUDNAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST/WEST/DIGITAL-, a large-scale event held from Friday, October 6, so don’t miss out on this chance to get it.
GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE Limited 1/1 Zakupla-kun
Going on sale Friday, October 6, 2023.
[Price] 880 JPY (tax included)
[Size] Roughly 80mm tall
⇒Check the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST/WEST/DIGITAL- Official Website for details about the sale.
*Shipping fee is excluded.
*Since the used tea leaves are natural, their scent tends to diminish over time and depending on storage conditions.
*The kit may be available at later events and THE GUNDAM BASE stores.
Going on sale Friday, October 6, 2023.
[Price] 880 JPY (tax included)
[Size] Roughly 80mm tall
⇒Check the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST/WEST/DIGITAL- Official Website for details about the sale.
*Shipping fee is excluded.
*Since the used tea leaves are natural, their scent tends to diminish over time and depending on storage conditions.
*The kit may be available at later events and THE GUNDAM BASE stores.
Development Background
BANDAI SPIRITS is pursuing initiatives to replace petroleum-based plastics with new materials in their plastic model kits. They have collaborated with partner companies to develop and release resins that can be applied to plastic model kits, utilizing a new material derived from limestone called LIMEX and Eggshell Plastic.
In 2001, Ito En established the Used Tea Leaves Recycling System, their proprietary technology to upcycle used tea leaves from producing green tea beverages such as Oi Ocha. With the expansion of green tea beverages sales, the amount of used tea leaves from the production has been increasing by the year, with roughly 58,000 tons in the fiscal year 2022. They have been actively promoting research and development to effectively utilize beverage residues like used tea leaves in industrial products and have developed approximately 100 upcycle products from used tea leaves.
The 1/1 Zakupla-kun was developed with the support of Ito En, which subscribes to BANDAI SPIRITS’ goals to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastic and decrease CO2 emissions.
In 2001, Ito En established the Used Tea Leaves Recycling System, their proprietary technology to upcycle used tea leaves from producing green tea beverages such as Oi Ocha. With the expansion of green tea beverages sales, the amount of used tea leaves from the production has been increasing by the year, with roughly 58,000 tons in the fiscal year 2022. They have been actively promoting research and development to effectively utilize beverage residues like used tea leaves in industrial products and have developed approximately 100 upcycle products from used tea leaves.
The 1/1 Zakupla-kun was developed with the support of Ito En, which subscribes to BANDAI SPIRITS’ goals to reduce the use of petroleum-based plastic and decrease CO2 emissions.
Utilization of plastic alternatives by BANDAI SPIRITS.
BANDAI SPIRITS utilizes plastic alternatives for their plastic model kits.
The 1/1 Gunpla-kun DX Set used LIMEX, a material based on limestone, and decreased the use of petroleum-based plastics.
Also, the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE Limited ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam [Classic Color] utilizes eggshell plastic made from eggshells that would otherwise be disposed of as industrial waste.
Both kits reduced petroleum-based plastics by combining polyester resin and new materials.
At BANDAI SPIRITS’ plastic model kit production factory, Bandai Hobby Center in Shizuoka-shi, they actively promote sustainable manufacturing, such as incorporating next-generation materials as plastic alternatives and utilizing recycled materials through the GUNPLA Recycling Project.
The 1/1 Gunpla-kun DX Set used LIMEX, a material based on limestone, and decreased the use of petroleum-based plastics.
Also, the GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE Limited ENTRY GRADE RX-78-2 Gundam [Classic Color] utilizes eggshell plastic made from eggshells that would otherwise be disposed of as industrial waste.
Both kits reduced petroleum-based plastics by combining polyester resin and new materials.
At BANDAI SPIRITS’ plastic model kit production factory, Bandai Hobby Center in Shizuoka-shi, they actively promote sustainable manufacturing, such as incorporating next-generation materials as plastic alternatives and utilizing recycled materials through the GUNPLA Recycling Project.
GUNDAM NEXT FUTURE -EAST/WEST/DIGITAL- Event Details
* This article was originally published in Japan. Availability & timing may vary by region.
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