OBAYASHI CORPORATION and the Nippon Express Group have introduced, as their first initiative, a new circular and transport flow that transports waste gypsum board generated at construction sites on remote Miyakojima off the island for reuse as a raw material.
An initiative has been announced to collect waste gypsum board generated at construction sites on Miyakojima under the wide-area certification system, transport it off the island, and horizontally recycle it as a raw material for gypsum board. Collection uses dedicated containers known as NRBOX, improving loading efficiency in shipping containers. The collected material is processed and reused at a manufacturer’s plant in Kitakyushu.
The initiative’s main effects include reusing more than 90% of the collected material as a raw material for gypsum board, reducing combined transport and disposal costs by more than 10% compared with collection and transport using conventional flexible container bags, and potentially reducing CO2 emissions associated with transport.
This distinctive circular and transport flow, designed for the conditions of remote islands, features more efficient transport, the introduction of regular transport schedules aligned with site processes, and the establishment of a safe transport and management system through cooperation with local companies and residents.
Going forward, the parties aim to contribute to a circular economy and a decarbonized society by deploying a similar network to other remote islands in Japan and promoting the recycling and reuse of construction by-products.