Key facts
- Bandai Spirits, Kao, and Lion are collaborating on a new recycling initiative.
- The project will use recycled plastic from used toothbrushes and household product packaging.
- The recycled materials will be used to create "Gundam" plastic model kits, called "EcoPla".
- Kao has collected approximately 62 tonnes of refill packs since 2015.
- Lion has collected approximately 33.5 tonnes of used toothbrushes since 2015.
- Bandai Spirits has collected about 174 tonnes of plastic model runners since April 2021.
Japanese toymaker Bandai Namco Holdings, in collaboration with cosmetics maker Kao and daily goods maker Lion, has launched a new initiative to recycle household waste into its popular "Gundam" plastic model kits. The "Recycle with Everyday Plastic! Gunpla Project," announced on August 27, 2026, at the Tokyo Toy Show 2026, aims to promote resource recycling by transforming used toothbrushes, shampoo and detergent refill packs, and discarded model kit frames (runners) into new "EcoPla" kits.
Each company brings its own collected plastic waste to the project. Kao has gathered approximately 62 tonnes of refill packs through its "Recycreation" activity since 2015. Lion has collected around 33.5 tonnes of used toothbrushes via its "Habrashi Recycle" program since 2015, which equates to roughly 2.68 million brushes. Bandai Spirits has been collecting its own Gunpla runners since April 2021, accumulating about 174 tonnes by March 2026.
The resulting EcoPla kits will be composed of 90% recycled runners, with 5% each from Kao's refill packs and Lion's toothbrushes. The companies stated that pooling resources across different industries is necessary to overcome recycling limitations. The EcoPla kits are not for sale and will be distributed for free at events, including the "Gundam R Operation" scheduled for October 17-18, 2026, at LaLaport Shin-Misato in Saitama Prefecture. Bandai Spirits plans to integrate the project into its "Gunpla Academia" program for elementary schools.