Finishing line in sight for Tokyo 2020 medal project
The Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee has announced that it expects to have acquired enough material from the collection of old electronic devices across Japan, which are being recycled and turned into Olympic medals, by 31 March 2019 when the project ends.
More than five million used mobile phones were amassed among 47,488 tons of discarded devices, which also included digital cameras, handheld games and laptops, since a nationwide scheme was launched in April 2017.
The required amount of bronze - 2,700kg - had already been extracted by June 2018, while 28.4kg of gold - 93.7 per cent of the 30.3kg target - and 3,500kg of silver - 85.4 per cent of the goal of 4,100kg – had been recovered as of October last year.
The scheme attracted donations and support from the Japanese public and businesses as well as national and international athletes, offering an opportunity to be involved in the build-up to the Olympic Games.
It also reflects Tokyo 2020’s commitment to a sustainable delivery of the Games and their subsequent legacy, under the slogan “Be better, together – for the planet and the people.”
The designs for the medals will be unveiled in summer 2019.
