Sunshine City launches chopstick upcycling program in Tokyo

Sunshine City, a large-scale complex in Ikebukuro, Tokyo, has launched a resource circulation initiative to collect used disposable chopsticks and repurpose them into furniture and fixtures. In collaboration with ChopValue Manufacturing Japan, the facility is treating these items as “valuable resources” rather than waste, a first for a large complex in Tokyo.

Following a successful trial period that collected approximately 16,000 chopsticks, full-scale collection began on September 1, 2026. The project aims to collect roughly 700,000 chopsticks (about 1.8 tons) annually. The collected bamboo and aspen chopsticks will be processed at a factory in Kawasaki and returned to Sunshine City as tables, small items, and other furnishings.

This initiative addresses the significant volume of disposable chopsticks used in Japan, where billions are consumed annually and most are typically incinerated as combustible waste. By establishing a formal system for collection and upcycling, Sunshine City aims to serve as a hub for resource circulation within the Ikebukuro area.