BANDAI SPIRITS, Kao, and Lion announced on the 27th the official launch of their joint project, "Let's Recycle Everyday Plastics! Gunpla Project," aiming to create a circular society for plastic resources.
This groundbreaking initiative will transcend industry and usage boundaries, reprocessing common household items and waste generated during plastic model production into brand-new Gundam models, dubbed "Eco-Gunpla" (エコプラ). The project was officially unveiled at Japan's largest toy exhibition, "Tokyo Toy Show 2026," currently underway at Tokyo Big Sight from August 27th to 30th.
BANDAI SPIRITS actually launched the "Gunpla Recycling Project" back in April 2021 to tackle plastic waste generated during Gunpla manufacturing and sales. Currently, collection boxes are primarily set up at Bandai Namco amusement facilities and other locations to collect "runners" – the plastic frames left over after players assemble their Gunpla. As of March 2026, thanks to player contributions, approximately 174 tons have been cumulatively recycled.
Kao, on the other hand, began collaborating with consumers in 2015 to collect used refill pouches, transforming these materials into products like building blocks through its "Recycreation" activities. In 2023, Kao further partnered with Lion to achieve "horizontal recycling," accumulating approximately 62 tons of related plastic materials by March 2026.
Meanwhile, Lion initiated its "Toothbrush Recycling Program" in June 2015 to collect and re-resource used toothbrushes. Through collaborations with local governments and consumers, approximately 33.5 tons of toothbrushes, equivalent to about 2.68 million toothbrushes (calculated at 12.5 grams per toothbrush), have been cumulatively recycled as of May 2026.
This time, the "Eco-Gunpla" will be crafted from a blend of materials recycled by the three companies:
Approximately 5%: Used toothbrushes recycled by Lion
Approximately 5%: Used refill pouches and other materials recycled by Kao
Approximately 90%: Leftover Gunpla runners recycled by BANDAI SPIRITS
Mr. Matsuhashi, a representative from BANDAI SPIRITS, stated that combining these materials to create new Gunpla was an "extremely difficult challenge" due to the varying resin types and melting temperatures from each company. The team leveraged years of manufacturing expertise accumulated at the Shizuoka Bandai Hobby Center, extending their technological development towards sustainability. This ultimately led to the successful creation of Eco-Gunpla, capable of fusing different resin materials into a single form.
This achievement represents a truly invaluable Eco-Gunpla, both from a "manufacturing" and "recycling" perspective.
Kao and Lion also hold high expectations for this cross-industry collaboration. Mr. Seto from Kao remarked that environmental activities can often feel preachy or even boring for children. He noted, "But if it ultimately transforms into Gunpla, allowing everyone to personally experience the fun and surprise, it might further change people's perceptions of environmental protection."
Mr. Chiba, a representative from Lion, also commented, "By collaborating with the Gunpla project, we hope to inspire people to participate in recycling not just out of a sense of duty, but by finding it 'fun' and discovering a reason to get involved."
The "Eco-Gunpla," jointly developed by the three companies, is slated for free distribution at the experiential event "Gundam R (Recycle) Operation" held at "LaLaport Shin Misato" on October 17th and 18th. Furthermore, BANDAI SPIRITS announced plans to integrate this project and Eco-Gunpla into the "Gunpla Academy," an educational program for elementary school students. This educational initiative has already surpassed 1 million cumulative participants as of July this year.
Through Gunpla, a beloved and familiar item for children, BANDAI SPIRITS hopes to convey the importance of plastic resource circulation to the next generation, transforming "recycling" from a mere obligation into an engaging, easy-to-understand, and actively embraced action.
via： PR TIMES