In an innovative approach to sustainability, Japan undertook a remarkable initiative for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by manufacturing all the event's medals from discarded electronics, such as smartphones and laptops. This project, dubbed the Tokyo 2020 Medal Project, was not only a pioneering example of sustainable practice in global sporting events but also a powerful statement on the potential of recycling and reusing electronic waste.
The project began in April 2017 and over two years, the organizers conducted a nationwide collection drive that encouraged citizens to donate their unwanted electronic devices. The response was overwhelming. Municipal authorities and countless private individuals contributed, gathering enough raw materials to commence the production of approximately 5,000 gold, silver, and bronze medals. This endeavor required the extraction of metals from nearly 79,000 tons of electronic devices, including 6.21 million used mobile phones, collected from all over the country at NTT Docomo shops and through public collection boxes.
The processing of these devices involved dismantling and then smelting them down to extract precious metals. Typically, producing medals involves mining fresh metal; however, by extracting gold, silver, and bronze from e-waste, the organizers significantly reduced the environmental burden that would have been generated through conventional methods. This not only prevented further mining but also tackled the growing problem of electronic waste, providing an excellent example of circular economy implementation.
The design of the medals themselves was equally thoughtful. After a nationwide competition, Junichi Kawanishi was selected to design the medals. His design depicted the Greek goddess of victory, Nike, in front of the Panatheniac stadium, which was iconic of the historic and global unity of the Olympics but also embodied themes of recycling and sustainability.
This initiative by Japan for the 2020 Olympics had multiple ripple effects. It raised global awareness about the importance and effectiveness of reusing precious metals and highlighted advanced Japanese technology in the processing of e-waste. Moreover, it potentially set a new standard for future Olympic Games, urging organizers to think creatively about how they can minimize the environmental impact of large-scale international events.
In transforming waste into symbols of victory, Japan not only showcased innovation and sustainability but also provided a powerful inspiration for global efforts in managing electronic waste, making the Tokyo 2020 Olympics a landmark event in the history of sustainable sport.
