No.172 Conclusion of a Comprehensive Partnership Agreement on Environmental Issues

On April 24, a comprehensive partnership agreement was concluded among Inagi City, TRE Holdings Co., Ltd., and Takeei Co., Ltd. TRE Holdings Co., Ltd. was established on October 1, 2021, through the business integration of Takeei Co., Ltd. and River Holdings Co., Ltd.

Takeei Co., Ltd. is a waste treatment business operator and recycler that was established with the purpose of processing and recycling construction waste materials, and has since expanded its scope to include the recycling of plastics and disposable diapers from general households. River Holdings Co., Ltd. was founded with the aim of resource recovery from end-of-life vehicles and is a recycler primarily targeting metals and plastics. By merging the management of these two companies, they have developed into a comprehensive recycler with a nationwide presence.

The relationship with Takeei Co., Ltd. began through an introduction by Mr. Hideki Tateya, the former mayor of Soma City, Fukushima Prefecture, which is a Friendship City of Inagi City, and who also served as the president of the National Mayors Association. The company recently purchased a vast site in Soma City and has started a recycling business there. It was also mentioned that they have cooperated in the processing of disaster waste on each occasion of large-scale disasters, including the Great East Japan Earthquake.

Prior to the agreement, they first came to City Hall to provide an explanation of their business operations, and after inspecting the "Kawasaki Recycling Center" on April 14 and exchanging opinions, we proceeded to conclude this comprehensive collaboration agreement to start future Collaboration.

Takeei Co., Ltd. recently mobilized 400 employees to handle disaster waste from the Noto Peninsula earthquake and completed the work.

At the recommendation of Mr. Hideki Tateya, I became a member of the Special Disaster Prevention Committee of the National Association of Mayors and serve as Vice Chairperson under Chairperson Mayor Onishi of Kumamoto City, while also serving as Chairperson of the Special Environmental Measures Committee.

The challenge faced by both committees is waste disposal during large-scale disasters. Takeei Co., Ltd. is not only knowledgeable in these areas but is also a strong partner capable of managing temporary disaster waste storage sites at affected locations. It was for this reason that Mr. Hideki Tateya strongly recommended that I meet with them.

This time, while keeping in mind the future conclusion of an agreement with the National Association of Mayors, we first proceeded with concluding an agreement on the following points in Inagi City, starting where we can.

1. Recycling of plastics, disposable diapers, and non-combustible waste, and realization of a circular economy
2. Recycling of disaster waste and cooperation during disasters
3. Awareness activities to promote citizen understanding and behavioral change
4. Mutual reporting and information sharing for publication in city public relations, etc.
5. Other necessary matters

Additionally, Takeei Co., Ltd. is also addressing forest fires in Ofunato City, including the felling of trees burned by the fire, chipping them for biomass power generation, reforestation after felling, and advancing efforts in forestry. They plan to address fires in Otsuchi Town, Iwate Prefecture in the future as well.

This time, we received an introduction to a very useful company, which allowed us to make progress not only in the recycling of general waste but also in the disaster waste disposal plan.