Method for recovering food residue and method for recycling food residue

Abstract

To provide a recovery method and a recycling method of a food residue in which information management of the food residue is easy.SOLUTION: A method for recovering a food residue, the method comprising a recovery step of recovering the food residue in a state of being stored in a package to which an adhesive label is attached, wherein the adhesive label includes a base material and an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the base material, and predetermined information related to the food residue stored in the package is printed on the adhesive label.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for recovering food waste and a method for recycling food waste. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, from the perspective of the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) and carbon neutrality, various efforts have been implemented to reduce and reuse the large amounts of food waste (food residue), including food loss, that are generated every day.

[0003] For example, one known approach is to use a compost plant to create compost from food waste and provide it to farmers to use in growing vegetables. Methods for creating compost from food waste include using microorganisms to decompose the food waste, and applying hot air or heat to the food waste to evaporate the moisture.

[0004] Another initiative that has attracted attention is the use of food waste as a renewable energy resource. In this initiative, food waste is fermented using a biogas plant to produce combustible biogas, which can then be used to generate electricity and heat. The digestive juice produced during the methane fermentation process can also be used as fertilizer for growing trees and crops (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0005] Various biogas plants have been proposed for use in such efforts, and for example, Non-Patent Document 1 discloses a small-scale plant that is compatible with urban recycling ecosystems. There are also various methods for generating electricity in biogas plants, and for example, Patent Document 1 discloses a plant that reforms the generated biogas into hydrogen and generates electricity using a fuel cell, and Patent Document 2 discloses a plant that generates electricity by generating steam from biogas and driving a turbine. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2010-198920 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2023-117732 [Non-patent literature]

[0007] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Demonstration of an urban recycling ecosystem through food recycling of employee cafeteria waste using a micro-biogas plant," [online], [Retrieved May 21, 2024], Internet<URL:https: / / www.ntt-east.co.jp / release / detail / 20220124_02.html> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0008] However, despite the efforts mentioned above and the potential for food waste as a resource, the current recycling rate for food waste is not high. There are several possible reasons for this, one of which is that the contents of food waste are not uniform and vary depending on the household, restaurant, or business that produces it, and can include meat, fish, vegetables, processed foods, or mixtures of these.

[0009] As mentioned above, when using a compost plant to produce compost through microbial decomposition and water evaporation, the conditions suitable for production vary depending on the contents of the food waste. Similarly, even when using a biogas plant to ferment food waste into methane, the nutrients and environmental conditions required by methane bacteria vary depending on the contents of the food waste. For example, if there is a lack of lipase, which promotes the decomposition of cellulose, fermentation will not be sufficient.

[0010] Therefore, in order to efficiently obtain compost and energy from food waste, it is desirable to check the contents of the food waste and consider the appropriate conditions before putting it into a compost plant or biogas plant. However, because food waste is usually contained in packaging, it is difficult to check the contents from the outside, and it is virtually impossible to open each package containing the large amount of food waste generated every day and check the contents. For these reasons, it is very difficult to efficiently obtain compost and energy from food waste, which is thought to be the reason for the current low rate of food waste reuse.

[0011] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a method for collecting and recycling food residues that allows information related to food residues stored in packaging to be easily confirmed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] The present inventors have conducted extensive research to solve the above problems, and as a result have discovered that the above object can be achieved by using an adhesive label on which predetermined information is printed, thereby completing the present invention.

[0013] That is, the above object can be achieved by the present invention having the following configuration, and the present invention includes the following aspects and configurations.

[0014] One aspect of the present invention is 1. A method for recovering food residue, comprising: A collection step of collecting the food residue in a state where the food residue is contained in a package with an adhesive label attached, The adhesive label comprises: A substrate; a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on one surface of the substrate, The method further comprises printing predetermined information relating to the food residue contained in the packaging.

[0015] 2. The food residue recovery method described in 1 above preferably includes a step of attaching the adhesive label, on which predetermined information related to the food residue is printed, to the packaging body.

[0016] 3. In the food residue recovery method described in 1. or 2. above, it is preferable to have a printing step in which predetermined information related to the food residue is printed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided.

[0017] 4. In the food residue recovery method according to any one of 1. to 3. above, it is preferable that the predetermined information relating to the food residue is printed in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code.

[0018] 5. In the method for recovering food residue described in any one of 1. to 4. above, the substrate preferably has a breaking strength of 5.0 kN / m or more.

[0019] 6. In the food residue recovery method according to any one of 1. to 5. above, the adhesive layer preferably has an adhesive strength of 15 N / 25 mm or more 24 hours after application to either polylactic acid or polybutylene succinate.

[0020] 7. In the food residue recovery method according to any one of the above items 1. to 6., the substrate preferably has a wet tensile strength of 1.2 kN / m or more.

[0021] 8. In the method for recovering food residue described in any one of 1. to 7. above, the substrate and the packaging body are preferably biodegradable.

[0022] 9. In the method for recovering food residue described in any one of 1. to 8. above, the adhesive layer is preferably biodegradable.

[0023] 10. In the food waste recovery method described in any one of 1. to 9. above, it is preferable that the substrate is a paper-based substrate and / or a resin-based substrate containing one or more resins selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid-based resins and polybutylene succinate-based resins, and that the packaging body contains one or more resins selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, and cellulose.

[0024] 11. In the method for recovering food residue according to any one of the above 1. to 10., the substrate is preferably a paper-based substrate containing pulp, starch, and a wet strength agent.

[0025] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for recycling food residues, comprising recovering food residues using the method for recovering food residues described in any one of 1. to 11. above, and then recycling the food residues. [Effects of the Invention]

[0026] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a method for collecting food residues and a method for recycling food residues that allow easy confirmation of information related to food residues contained in a package. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0027] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an adhesive label used in the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recovery method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a recycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a recovery system for carrying out a recovery method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a recycling system for carrying out a recycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the printing device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit of the printing device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the first reading device and the second reading device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control units of the first reading device and the second reading device. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the entire process of the collection system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart for explaining an outline of the entire process of the collection system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In this specification, "X to Y" means "X or more and Y or less," with the preceding and following numerical values ​​(X and Y) being included as upper and lower limits. When multiple "X to Y" are listed, for example, "X1 to Y1 or X2 to Y2," the disclosure of each numerical value as an upper limit, the disclosure of each numerical value as a lower limit, and combinations of these upper and lower limits are all disclosed (i.e., they constitute legitimate grounds for amendment). Specifically, amendments to X1 or more, amendments to Y2 or less, amendments to X1 or less, amendments to Y2 or more, amendments between X1 and X2, and amendments between X1 and Y2 must all be deemed legitimate. Unless otherwise specified, operations and measurements of physical properties are performed at room temperature (20-25°C) and a relative humidity of 45-55% RH.

[0029] A food waste recovery method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a recovery step of recovering food waste contained in a package to which an adhesive label is attached, the adhesive label having a substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one side of the substrate, and having predetermined information related to the food waste printed thereon. This recovery method allows information related to the food waste contained in the package to be easily confirmed, which makes it easier to efficiently obtain compost and energy from the food waste and is also expected to improve the rate of food waste reuse.

[0030] <Terminology> First, the terms used in this specification will be explained below.

[0031] <Food residue> As used herein, food waste refers to various food-related wastes (so-called food waste), such as unsold or leftover food generated during food distribution or consumption, processing residues generated during food production or cooking, and cooking scraps. The components of food waste include the same components as those contained in general foods, such as proteins, carbohydrates, sugars, and oils. Food waste is mainly discharged from sources such as food processing plants, restaurants, and ordinary households.

[0032] <Adhesive labels> As shown in Fig. 1, the adhesive label 10 of the present invention has a substrate 11 and an adhesive layer 12 provided on one surface of the substrate. Furthermore, predetermined information relating to food residue contained in a package is printed on the substrate (shown as printed layer 13 in Fig. 1). Note that an adhesive label 10 having the substrate 11 and the adhesive layer 12 provided on one surface of the substrate, in other words, an adhesive label 10 in a state where the predetermined information is not printed, is referred to as an adhesive sheet 10a.

[0033] (base material) The substrate is for supporting the adhesive label, and examples of the material of the substrate include a paper-based substrate, a resin-based substrate, synthetic paper, and a combination thereof.

[0034] The paper-based substrate is not particularly limited as long as it contains pulp. Examples of pulp include chemical pulps such as unbleached softwood pulp (NUKP), unbleached hardwood pulp (LUKP), bleached softwood pulp (NBKP), and bleached hardwood pulp (LBKP); mechanical pulps such as stone ground pulp (SGP), pressurized stone ground pulp (PGW), refiner ground pulp (RGP), chemi-ground pulp (CGP), thermo-ground pulp (TGP), ground pulp (GP), thermomechanical pulp (TMP), chemi-thermomechanical pulp (CTMP), and refiner mechanical pulp (RMP); and recycled paper pulp made from recycled paper. Examples of recycled paper pulp include disintegrated and deinked recycled paper pulp and disintegrated, deinked, and bleached recycled paper pulp produced from recycled magazine paper, recycled flyer paper, and recycled office paper. Among these, bleached softwood pulp (NBKP), bleached hardwood pulp (LBKP), and mixtures thereof are particularly preferred. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The pulp content in the paper-based substrate is not particularly limited, but is preferably 60% by mass or more and 99% by mass or less, more preferably 65% ​​by mass or more and 98% by mass or less, and even more preferably 70% by mass or more and 97% by mass or less.

[0035] The paper substrate may contain other additives in addition to pulp. Examples of such additives include strength agents. In particular, since the pressure-sensitive adhesive label of the present invention is also used in packaging containing food waste, it is preferable that the label has high water resistance. For this reason, it is preferable that the paper substrate contains a wet strength agent. A wet strength agent is an agent that prevents the paper from losing its strength when wetted with water. When added to pulp fibers that tend to unravel in water, it maintains the bonds between the pulp fibers even when wetted with water, making them less likely to unravel, thereby increasing their strength. For this reason, by including a wet strength agent in the paper substrate, the label can be used in packaging containing food waste with a high moisture content, and even if the pressure-sensitive adhesive label becomes wet due to leakage of water from the food waste, it is possible to prevent the pressure-sensitive adhesive label from being damaged and making the information illegible.

[0036] The wet strength agent is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include polyamine resins, melamine formaldehyde resins, and urea formaldehyde resins. Among these, the wet strength agent is preferably a polyamine resin. The wet strength agents may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0037] The polyamine resin usually forms a crosslinked structure between pulps. The polyamine resin may form a crosslinked structure between itself or with a resin material other than the polyamine resin contained in the paper-based substrate.

[0038] Polyamine resins are compounds having two or more amino or imino groups in the molecule. Examples of polyamine resins include resins obtained from polyamines and epihalohydrins such as epichlorohydrin, and their derivatives. Such polyamine resins have epoxy groups as reactive groups. Examples of polyamine resins that can be used include those commercially available from Seiko PMC under the name WS-4011 (polyamine epichlorohydrin resin). Polyamide polyamine epihalo(chloro)hydrin resins can also be used.

[0039] The content of the wet strength agent in the paper-based base material is not particularly limited, but considering the manifestation of the effect and the saturation of the effect, it is preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by mass relative to the pulp.

[0040] The paper-based substrate may contain other additives, such as sizing agents, starches, fixing agents, fillers, and waterproofing agents. The other additives may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0041] Examples of sizing agents include internal sizing agents such as rosin-based sizing agents, synthetic sizing agents, petroleum resin-based sizing agents and AKD (alkyl ketene dimer)-based sizing agents; surface sizing agents such as styrene / acrylic acid copolymers and styrene / methacrylic acid copolymers; and water-resistant agents.

[0042] Examples of starches include corn starch, potato starch, tapioca starch, and crosslinker-modified starches obtained by processing these, oxidized starch, enzyme-modified starch, esterified starch, etherified starch, cationic starch, amphoteric starch, etc. The content of starches in the paper-based base material is not particularly limited, but considering the manifestation of effects and saturation of those effects, it is preferably 0.5 to 5.0% by mass relative to the pulp.

[0043] Examples of fixing agents include aluminum sulfate and polyethyleneimine.

[0044] Examples of fillers include inorganic fillers such as talc, kaolin, calcined kaolin, calcium carbonate, calcium sulfate, barium sulfate, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, alumina, magnesium carbonate, magnesium oxide, silica, white carbon, bentonite, zeolite, sericite, and smectite, and organic fillers such as acrylic resins and vinylidene chloride resins.

[0045] Examples of waterproofing agents include polyvinyl alcohol resin, polyacrylamide, urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, dialdehyde, starch, polyamide polyamine, epichlorohydrin formaldehyde, glyoxal, dialdehyde starch, modified polyamide resin, modified amine resin, urea-formaldehyde resin, melamine-formaldehyde resin, polyamide urea-formaldehyde resin, ketone resin, polyamide epichlorohydrin resin, glycerol polyglycidyl ether resin, ammonium zirconium carbonate, zinc sulfate, borax, satin white, and resin latexes such as SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber) latex, vinyl acetate latex, vinyl chloride latex, and vinylidene chloride latex.

[0046] Other additives can be added by known methods such as internal addition and coating (size press, air knife coater, etc.).

[0047] A coating layer may be formed on the paper substrate by applying a coating liquid and drying it. The coating layer may contain the above-described wet strength agent, other additives, binders, etc.

[0048] Examples of binders used in the coating layer include water-insoluble resins and water-soluble resins, but from the viewpoint of improving water resistance, a water-insoluble binder is preferred. Examples of water-insoluble binders include styrene-butadiene copolymers, acrylonitrile-butadiene copolymers, methacrylic acid-butadiene copolymers, polyurethanes, acrylic acid ester copolymers, styrene-acrylic acid ester copolymers, polyvinyl acetate, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0049] Furthermore, from the viewpoint of more effectively increasing the water resistance of the paper-based substrate, the paper-based substrate preferably contains pulp, starches, and a wet strength agent.

[0050] Resins used in resin-based substrates include non-biodegradable resins and biodegradable resins. Examples of non-biodegradable resins include polyesters such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate, polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, polystyrene, polycarbonate, polymethylpentene, polysulfone, polyether ether ketone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyetherimide, polyimide, fluororesin, polyamide, acrylic resin, norbornene-based resin, and cycloolefin resin.

[0051] On the other hand, the biodegradable resin may be at least one selected from the group consisting of polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polylactic acid (PLA), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene terephthalate succinate (PETS), PBAT-PLA compound, starch polyester resin, cellulose acetate, cellulose, polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA), and 3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate polymer (PHBH).

[0052] As the substrate, from the viewpoint of being biodegradable while also being able to obtain a certain level of strength, a paper-based substrate, a resin substrate containing at least one selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid-based resins and polybutylene succinate-based resins, or a combination thereof (including a laminate thereof) is preferred.

[0053] Polylactic acid resins are polymerized using lactic acid monomers as the main component. Here, "using lactic acid monomers as the main component" refers to a resin containing more than 50 mol% (up to 100 mol%) of lactic acid monomers, preferably 75 mol% or more, and more preferably 85 mol% or more of the total monomers constituting the resin. Polylactic acid resins may be polylactic acid or copolymers of lactic acid monomers with other hydroxycarboxylic acid monomers, and may contain small amounts of chain extender residues. Examples of lactic acid monomers include L-lactic acid and D-lactic acid. Examples of other hydroxycarboxylic acid monomers include bifunctional aliphatic hydroxycarboxylic acids such as glycolic acid, 3-hydroxybutyric acid, 4-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-hydroxybutyric acid, 2-hydroxy-3,3-dimethylbutyric acid, 2-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid, 2-methyllactic acid, and 2-hydroxycaproic acid, as well as lactones such as caprolactone, butyrolactone, and valerolactone. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The content of such other hydroxycarboxylic acid monomers is preferably 10 mol % or less of the total monomers constituting the polylactic acid. The weight-average molecular weight of the polylactic acid resin is preferably 50,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 50,000 to 500,000. The weight-average molecular weight can be measured using gel permeation chromatography (GPC).

[0054] Specifically, the polybutylene succinate resin may be a biodegradable polyester made of an aliphatic polyester resin obtained by direct dehydration polycondensation of 1,4-butanediol and succinic acid as the main components. The polybutylene succinate resin may be polybutylene succinate or a copolymer of polybutylene succinate with other hydroxycarboxylic acids, diols, and dicarboxylic acids. Specific examples of the polybutylene succinate resin include polybutylene succinate, polybutylene succinate / adipate copolymers, and polycaprolactone / butylene succinate copolymers. Of these, polybutylene succinate is preferred as the polybutylene succinate resin. The polybutylene succinate resin preferably has a weight average molecular weight of 30,000 to 500,000, and more preferably 100,000 to 500,000.

[0055] Here, a non-biodegradable resin is a resin that does not have biodegradability, and a biodegradable resin is a resin that has biodegradability. Here, biodegradability means, for example, satisfying at least one of ISO 9408, ISO 9439, ISO 10707, ISO 14855-1, ISO 14855-2, JIS K 6950:2000, JIS K 6951:2000, JIS K 6953-1:2011, JIS K 6953-2:2010, and JIS K 6955:2017. On the other hand, a non-biodegradable resin is one that does not satisfy any of these standards.

[0056] The substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a breaking strength of 5.0 kN / m or more. The breaking strength may be 6.0 kN / m or more, 7.0 kN / m or more, or even 8.0 kN / m or more. The upper limit of the breaking strength is not particularly limited, but may be 50 kN / m or less. It is preferable that both the longitudinal and transverse breaking strengths satisfy this range. The breaking strength can be measured according to JIS P 8113:2006.

[0057] The breaking strength of the substrate within the above range ensures that the adhesive label has sufficient strength. For example, packaging for food waste is prone to deformation, so the adhesive label is subjected to forces from various directions. However, by providing a substrate with the above strength, the adhesive label can be prevented from tearing. This allows the information printed on the adhesive label to be more accurately identified, which is expected to result in more accurate communication of that information from the waste generator to collection companies, etc.

[0058] The substrate according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably has a wet tensile strength of 1.2 kN / m or more. The wet tensile strength may be 1.5 kN / m or more, 2 kN / m or more, or 3 kN / m or more. The wet tensile strength is not particularly limited, but may be 10 kN / m or less. The wet tensile strength can be measured in accordance with JIS P 8135:1998. Specifically, a sample is conditioned for 4 hours or more in an environment of 23°C (±1°C) × 50% (±2%) RH, cut to a size of 15 mm × 250 mm, and used as a test piece. The test piece is then immersed in ion-exchanged water for 5 minutes. The test piece is then removed and placed on a piece of filter paper. Another piece of filter paper is then placed on top of the test piece and gently pressed to remove excess water. A tensile test is then immediately performed using a tensile tester at a speed of 200 mm / min with a chuck length of 150 mm, and the maximum load required to break the test piece is measured. The average value of each of the three test pieces is calculated and used as the wet tensile strength.

[0059] The wet tensile strength of the substrate within the above range ensures that the adhesive label has sufficient water resistance. Food residue usually contains a lot of water, so the adhesive label is likely to come into contact with water in the event of a liquid leak, etc. However, the substrate's water resistance as described above prevents the adhesive label from becoming swollen and tearing due to water. This makes it possible to more accurately read the information printed on the adhesive label, and is expected to enable more accurate communication of that information from the waste disposal party to the collection company, etc.

[0060] The thickness of the substrate is not particularly limited, but is preferably 30 to 200 μm, and more preferably 50 to 150 μm.

[0061] (Adhesive layer) The adhesive layer is a layer containing an adhesive and is provided on one surface of the substrate, and serves to attach the adhesive label to the package and to maintain the adhesive label attached to the package.

[0062] The adhesive constituting the adhesive layer is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include olefin elastomer-based adhesives, acrylic-based adhesives, rubber-based adhesives, silicone-based adhesives, urethane-based adhesives, polyester-based adhesives, styrene-diene block copolymer adhesives, styrene elastomer-based adhesives, and vinyl alkyl ether-based adhesives. Among these, the adhesive constituting the adhesive layer is preferably biodegradable. That is, the adhesive layer is preferably biodegradable. Here, biodegradability means, as described in the substrate section, that the adhesive satisfies at least one of ISO 9408, ISO 9439, ISO 10707, ISO 14855-1, ISO 14855-2, JIS K 6950:2000, JIS K 6951:2000, JIS K 6953-1:2011, JIS K 6953-2:2010, and JIS K 6955:2017. Biodegradable adhesives include, for example, natural rubber-based adhesives, aliphatic polyesters, polyester polymers obtained by copolymerizing lactic acid and caprolactone, and polyester polymers obtained by copolymerizing lactic acid, dibasic acids, and glycol components. Natural rubber-based adhesives include, for example, concentrated natural rubber latex, field latex, and depolymerized natural rubber latex. Furthermore, a tackifier may be used in combination with the adhesive in the adhesive layer. Examples of suitable adhesives include rosins such as rosin, polymerized rosin, disproportionated rosin, hydrogenated rosin, maleated rosin, fumarated rosin, and their glycerin esters, pentaerythritol esters, methyl esters, triethylene glycol esters, phenol-modified products, and esterified products of phenol-modified products; terpene polymers, terpene phenols, β-pinene polymers, aromatic-modified terpene polymers, α-pinene polymers, and terpene-based hydrogenated resins; and petroleum-based resins obtained by polymerizing C5 or C9 petroleum fractions, and hydrogenated resins thereof.

[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, the adhesive layer preferably has an adhesive strength of 15 N / 25 mm or more, more preferably 18 N / 25 mm or more, and even more preferably 20 N / 25 mm or more, 24 hours after application to either polylactic acid or polybutylene succinate. The upper limit of the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer to either polylactic acid or polybutylene succinate 24 hours after application is not particularly limited, but is preferably 100 N / 25 mm or less. Having the adhesive strength of the adhesive layer within the above range allows the adhesive label to be more satisfactorily maintained attached to the packaging. The adhesive strength can be measured, for example, as follows: The adhesive label is cut into a size of 25 mm x 250 mm and left to stand for one day under standard conditions (23°C, 50% RH). The release liner is then peeled off, and the adhesive layer surface is applied to a polylactic acid film or a polybutylene succinate film. After leaving it to stand under a standard environment for 24 hours, measurements are made in accordance with JIS Z 0237: 2022. Specifically, the label is peeled off in a 180° direction at a test speed of 300 mm / min using a tensile tester to measure the adhesive strength.

[0064] The thickness of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer is not particularly limited, but is preferably 1 to 200 μm, and more preferably 10 to 150 μm.

[0065] (Printing (printing layer)) The substrate of the adhesive label has predetermined information printed thereon relating to food residue contained in the package. By printing the predetermined information, the package to which the adhesive label is attached can present information about the food residue contained therein without the need to open it. In the adhesive label, the predetermined information is preferably printed on the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer of the substrate is provided (in other words, the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present in the adhesive sheet).

[0066] The predetermined information here is not particularly limited as long as it is information related to the food residue contained in the package. For example, the predetermined information may include information about the contents of the food residue, information about the source of the food residue, the date and time the food residue was generated, the location where the food residue is disposed of, and the delivery address of the food residue after collection. This information can also be considered information for identifying the package containing the food residue.

[0067] Here, the information on the contents of food waste may be information on food items such as rice, potatoes, beans, vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, algae, seafood, meat, eggs, milk, bean products, processed foods, etc., or the proportion of food items contained in the contents. Furthermore, the information on the contents of food waste may be information on type and properties, such as total weight, carbohydrate content, protein content, lipid content, moisture content, N (nitrogen) concentration, pH, loss on ignition, and BMP (Bio Methane Potential).

[0068] For example, information about the source of food waste may include the name, location, and product items of a food processing factory if the source is a food processing factory. If the source is a restaurant, information about the restaurant's name, location, and names of dishes served may be included. If the source is a private household, information about the household's address and name may be included.

[0069] The date and time of generation of food residues may be, for example, the date and time the food residues were discarded, more specifically, the date an adhesive label was affixed to a package containing food residues, or the date the package containing food residues was placed in a garbage dump (also called a garbage station). The location where food residues are discarded may be, for example, the location or address of the garbage dump where the package containing food residues was placed. Information on the delivery destination of collected food residues may be, for example, the name and address of a processing facility suitable for processing the contents of the food residues, based on information about the contents of the food residues.

[0070] The predetermined information related to food waste may be printed in letters and numbers, or may be printed in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code. By printing this information in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code, the information can be easily and quickly read by a reading device, thereby improving the work efficiency of waste collection companies and waste disposal companies.

[0071] There are no particular limitations on the specific form of the method for printing on the surface of the substrate, and conventionally known knowledge can be referred to as appropriate. Examples include thermal transfer methods, inkjet methods, and electrophotographic (electrostatic) methods.

[0072] Here, the portion containing components such as ink that are commonly used in the above-mentioned printing method and that present information may be referred to as the printing layer. The components of the ink may be deposited on the applied portion or may be impregnated therein. The printing layer may be present on a portion or the entire surface of the substrate opposite the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided. Furthermore, biodegradable ink may be used as the ink. The biodegradable ink may contain biodegradable resins, pigments, etc.

[0073] The thickness of the printing layer may be, for example, 5 μm or less, or 3 μm or less. If the coated portion is impregnated with components such as ink, the thickness of the printing layer may be considered to be 0.

[0074] Alternatively, a thermal printing method may be used as a method for printing onto the surface of the substrate. In this case, the adhesive sheet has a thermal coloring layer on the surface of the substrate (the side opposite the adhesive layer). This makes it possible to print onto the adhesive sheet using a thermal printer or the like. Examples of the thermal coloring layer include one containing a leuco dye and a color developer that reacts with the leuco dye. The thermal coloring layer can be suitably formed, for example, by applying a coating liquid containing the above-mentioned leuco dye and color developer, as well as appropriate binders, waxes, solvents, etc., to the surface of the substrate.

[0075] (Release liner) The release liner is a component that is placed before the adhesive label is attached to a package, and has the function of protecting the adhesive layer and preventing a decrease in adhesiveness. The release liner is then peeled off from the adhesive label when the label is attached to the package.

[0076] The release liner is not particularly limited, but examples thereof include plastic films such as polyester films such as polyethylene terephthalate, polybutylene terephthalate, and polyethylene naphthalate, and polyolefin films such as polypropylene and polyethylene; and papers such as fine paper, glassine paper, kraft paper, and clay-coated paper.

[0077] The thickness of the release liner is usually about 10 to 400 μm. The surface of the release liner may be provided with a layer of a release agent made of silicone or the like to improve the releasability of the pressure-sensitive adhesive layer. When such a layer is provided, the thickness of the layer is usually about 0.01 to 5 μm.

[0078] <Package> The packaging body is for wrapping food waste and is preferably in the form of a bag. The packaging body preferably contains a non-biodegradable resin and / or a biodegradable resin similar to the resins described above for the base material. In particular, from the viewpoints of biodegradability and strength for packaging food waste, the packaging body preferably contains one or more resins selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, and cellulose.

[0079] The thickness of the package is not particularly limited, but is preferably 0.01 mm to 0.1 mm. When the package is in the form of a bag, the capacity is not particularly limited, but is preferably 5 L to 150 L.

[0080] <Methods for collecting and recycling food residue> Hereinafter, the method for collecting food residue and the method for recycling food residue will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0081] <Food residue collection method> Figure 2 shows a block diagram of one embodiment of the food residue recovery method according to the present invention. The embodiment shown in the block diagram includes a "printing step (S101)", a "sticking step (S102)", and a "recovery step (S103)". The "printing step (S101)" and the "sticking step (S102)" are not essential components of the present invention, but are components that make the present invention more preferable. Each step will be explained below in order with reference to the block diagram.

[0082] (printing process) A collection method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a printing step. The printing step is a step of printing predetermined information related to food residues onto a substrate (or an adhesive sheet). Here, the printing is preferably performed on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided (the surface of the adhesive sheet opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present). By including this printing step, an adhesive label can be obtained on which predetermined information related to food residues contained in a package or food residues to be contained in a package is printed.

[0083] In the printing step, the predetermined information related to food residue may be printed by hand on the adhesive sheet, or the information may be printed on the adhesive sheet by a printing device. For example, the predetermined information related to food residue is input into a printing device by the person who generates food residue, such as a food processing factory, a restaurant, or an ordinary household (hereinafter simply referred to as the generator), and the information is printed on the adhesive sheet by the printing device. By using a printing device in the printing step, an adhesive label with information printed in a more accurate and easily readable format can be obtained.

[0084] Here, the information printed in the printing process may be letters or numbers, but may also be printed in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code. By printing this information in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code, the information can be easily and quickly read by a reading device in the collection process or recycling process described below. This is expected to improve the work efficiency of waste collection companies and waste disposal companies, and also to increase the rate of food waste reuse.

[0085] The printing step may be preceded by a step of storing food residue in the package, and the storing step may be performed after the attaching step described below.

[0086] (Attachment process) The collection method according to one embodiment of the present invention preferably includes a pasting step in which an adhesive label having predetermined information related to food residue printed thereon is pasted onto the packaging material, and the release liner is removed from the adhesive label.

[0087] The attaching step according to one embodiment may be a step of attaching an adhesive label printed in the printing step to the packaging body. The adhesive label may be attached to the packaging body by a person who discards food waste.

[0088] By having this attachment process, an adhesive label with specified information about the food residue printed on it is attached to the packaging, so that even after the packaging containing the food residue has been handed over to a collector or recycler, the information about the food residue inside the packaging can be easily confirmed without opening the packaging.

[0089] The location on the package where the adhesive label is attached is not particularly limited, but it is preferably on the outside of the package, which makes it easier to check the contents without opening the package.

[0090] (Recovery process) The collection process involves collecting food waste in a state in which the waste is contained in a package with an adhesive label attached. For example, by collecting the package with the label attached, collection companies and the like can obtain information about the contents of the food waste without opening the package, and can easily collect packages containing appropriate food waste. This also allows collection companies to transport the food waste to a treatment facility suitable for the food waste (such as a compost plant or biogas plant).

[0091] In one embodiment of the collection process, when collecting packages containing food residue, information printed on an adhesive label attached to the packages can be read by a first reading device. In this case, the predetermined information printed on the adhesive label is preferably in the form of a barcode or two-dimensional code. That is, in one embodiment of the collection process, the barcode or two-dimensional code printed on the adhesive label attached to the packages is read by a first reading device. This allows the collection company to more easily and accurately obtain information about the contents of the food residue contained in the packages.

[0092] The collection method according to one embodiment of the present invention may include a delivery step, which will be described later, after the collection step.

[0093] <How to recycle food waste> Next, a recycling method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described using the block diagram of FIG. 3. In the embodiment shown in the block diagram, the recycling method includes a "printing step (S201)," a "sticking step (S202)," a "collecting step (S203)," a "delivery step (S204)," and a "recycling step (S205)." The "printing step (S201)," the "sticking step (S202)," and the "delivery step (S204)" are not essential components of the recycling method, but are components that make the present invention more preferable. Each step will be described below in order using the block diagram. However, the "printing step (S201)," the "sticking step (S202)," and the "collecting step (S203)" are the same as those in the above-described collection method, and therefore will not be described here.

[0094] (Delivery process) A collection method according to one embodiment includes a delivery step. The delivery step is a step of delivering the packaging collected in the collection step to a food waste treatment facility based on information printed on an adhesive label attached to the packaging. For example, the collection company that collected the packaging in the collection step delivers the packaging to a treatment facility equipped with food waste treatment equipment, such as a compost plant or a biogas plant, based on information about the food waste obtained in the collection step. This allows the food waste to be delivered to a more suitable treatment facility, enabling compost and energy to be obtained more efficiently from the food waste.

[0095] (Recycling process) The recycling step is a step of recycling the food residue collected by the above-described food residue collection method. For example, the food residue is fed into a food residue recycling treatment device such as a compost plant or a biogas plant and recycled. That is, one embodiment of the present invention is a food residue recycling method in which food residue is collected by the above-described food residue collection method and then recycled.

[0096] Here, from the viewpoint of the efficiency of recycling food waste and hygiene, it is preferable that the substrate and packaging of the adhesive label are biodegradable, and it is more preferable that in addition to the substrate and packaging of the adhesive label, the adhesive layer is also biodegradable.

[0097] In the recycling process, food waste is fed into a processing device such as a compost plant or biogas plant. In this case, if the packaging, adhesive labels, etc. are made of non-biodegradable materials, it is necessary to remove the food waste one by one from the large amount of packaging and feed only the food waste into the processing device. This process of removing the food waste from the packaging not only reduces the processing efficiency of the recycling process, but also poses unhygienic issues. On the other hand, if the packaging and adhesive labels are biodegradable, as in one embodiment of the present invention, the food waste can be fed into the processing device together with the packaging and adhesive label without being removed from the packaging. Therefore, the recycling method according to one embodiment of the present application, in which the packaging and adhesive labels are biodegradable, has the advantages of improving the processing efficiency of the recycling process and eliminating hygienic issues.

[0098] The order of the steps in the food residue recovery method and food residue recycling method can be changed as appropriate within the scope that does not impair the effects of the present invention.

[0099] <Food waste collection and recycling system> <Collection System> Another aspect of the present invention is a collection system for carrying out a food residue collection method. The collection system in one embodiment is for carrying out the food residue collection method having a collection step of collecting food residue contained in a package to which an adhesive label is affixed, and includes a substrate, an adhesive layer provided on one side of the substrate, and an adhesive label printed with predetermined information related to the food residue contained in the package.

[0100] Furthermore, one embodiment of the food residue collection system may be for carrying out a food residue collection method including a printing step S101 and an attaching step S102 as steps before the collection step S103, as shown in Fig. 2. Furthermore, one embodiment of the food residue collection system includes an adhesive label 10, a printing device 20, a package 30, and a first reading device 40, as shown in Fig. 4. Although not shown in Fig. 4, one embodiment of the food residue collection system may also include an adhesive sheet 10a.

[0101] (printing process) In the printing step S101, predetermined information related to the food residue contained in the package is input to the printing device 20, and the printing device 20 prints the predetermined information on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided (i.e., the surface of the adhesive sheet 10a opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present), thereby producing the adhesive label 10. Here, the printing device 20 may be a single device having two functions, a function for inputting information and a function for printing information, or may be a device having a function for inputting information (e.g., a PC or tablet) and a function for printing information (e.g., a printer) that exist separately. When the devices exist separately, the device having a function for inputting information and the device having a function for printing information can communicate with each other via wireless communication such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark), or via wired communication such as Ethernet.

[0102] (Attachment process) In the pasting step S102, the adhesive label 10 printed in the printing step described above is pasted onto the packaging body 30.

[0103] (Recovery process) In the collection step S103, the food residue is collected in a state where it is contained in a package 30 to which an adhesive label 10 is attached. At this time, the predetermined information printed on the adhesive label 10 is read by a first reading device 40 operated by the collection company and displayed on the first reading device 40. The collection company collects the food residue based on the information displayed on the first reading device 40.

[0104] That is, the collection system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a collection system for carrying out a food residue collection method, which comprises a printing step of printing predetermined information related to food residue on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided (i.e., the surface of the adhesive sheet opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present), an affixing step of affixing the adhesive label on which the predetermined information is printed in the printing step to the packaging body, and a collection step of collecting food residue contained in the packaging body to which the adhesive label is affixed, and The collection system comprises a printing device for printing on the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer of a substrate is provided (i.e., the surface opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present in the adhesive sheet), an adhesive label having a substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the substrate and on which predetermined information related to food residues is printed by the printing device, and / or an adhesive sheet having a substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one surface of the substrate and on which predetermined information related to food residues is printed by the printing device, and a first reading device for reading the printing on the adhesive label when collecting food residues.

[0105] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a collection system first prints predetermined information about the contents of food waste onto an adhesive sheet using a printing device, and then attaches the resulting adhesive label to the package, thereby providing the package with information that can be easily viewed from the outside. Furthermore, by reading the information on the adhesive label attached to the package with a reading device, the collection company can easily and accurately determine the contents of the food waste without opening the package. This facilitates the transfer of accurate information from the waste generator to the collection company via the adhesive label. Furthermore, the collection company can select a processing facility appropriate for the contents of the food waste, which makes it easier to efficiently obtain compost and energy from the food waste and is expected to increase the rate of food waste reuse.

[0106] <Recycling System> Another aspect of the present invention is a recycling system for implementing a food waste recycling method, which involves recovering food waste using the food waste recovery method described above and further recycling the food waste.

[0107] As shown in Fig. 3, a recycling system according to one embodiment may be configured to implement a recycling method including a printing step S201, an affixing step S202, a collection step S203, a delivery step S204, and a recycling step S205. Also, as shown in Fig. 5, one embodiment of a food residue recycling system includes an adhesive label 10, a printing device 20, a package 30, a first reading device 40, and a second reading device 50. Although not shown in Fig. 5, one embodiment of a food residue recycling system may also include an adhesive sheet 10a. Here, the printing step S201, the affixing step S202, and the collection step S203 are similar to the printing step S101, the affixing step S102, and the collection step S103 in the collection system described above, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0108] (Delivery process) In the delivery process, based on the information read using the first reading device 40, the packaging body 30 containing food residue and having the adhesive label 10 attached thereto, which was collected in the collection process, is delivered to a food residue recycling processing facility.

[0109] (Recycling process) In the recycling process, the delivered packaging 30 containing food waste is placed in a food waste processing device such as a compost plant or biogas plant for processing, thereby recycling the food waste. Furthermore, before being placed in the processing device, the information printed on the adhesive label 10 can be read using a second reading device 50. This allows for accurate acquisition of specific information about the food waste, enabling more efficient production of compost and energy from the food waste. Here, the second reading device is a device for reading the printing on the adhesive label after the delivery process and before being placed in the processing device.

[0110] That is, the recycling system according to one embodiment of the present invention is a recycling system for carrying out a food residue recycling method, comprising a printing step of printing predetermined information related to food residue on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided (i.e., the surface of the adhesive sheet opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is present), an affixing step of affixing an adhesive label on which the predetermined information is printed in the printing step to a package, a collection step of collecting food residue contained in the package to which the adhesive label is affixed, a delivery step of delivering the food residue collected in the collection step while still contained in the package to a food residue treatment facility, and a recycling step of recycling the food residue delivered by the delivery step. The recycling system comprises a printing device for inputting predetermined information related to food residues and printing it on the side of a substrate having an adhesive layer opposite to the side on which the adhesive layer is provided (i.e., the side of an adhesive sheet opposite to the side on which the adhesive layer is provided), an adhesive label having a substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one side of the substrate and on which the predetermined information related to food residues is printed by the printing device, and / or an adhesive sheet having a substrate and an adhesive layer provided on one side of the substrate and on which the predetermined information related to food residues is printed by the printing device, a first reading device for reading the printing on the adhesive label when collecting food residues, and a second reading device for reading the printing on the adhesive label when recycling food residues.

[0111] According to one embodiment of the recycling system, information about the contents of food waste can be easily attached to packaging by using an adhesive label printed on an adhesive sheet using a printing device. Furthermore, collectors and recyclers can easily and accurately determine the contents of the food waste without opening the packaging by reading the information on the adhesive label attached to the packaging using a first reader and a second reader. This allows accurate and easy transfer of information from the waste generator to the collector and recycler via the adhesive label. Furthermore, collectors can select a processing facility appropriate for the contents of the food waste, and recyclers can select a recycling process appropriate for the contents of the food waste, making it easier to efficiently obtain compost and energy from food waste and potentially improving the reuse rate of food waste.

[0112] The following describes in detail each component included in one embodiment of each system.

[0113] (printing device) Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of printing device 20. As shown in Fig. 6, printing device 20 includes control unit 21, storage unit 22, communication unit 23, display unit 24, operation reception unit 25, and printing unit 26. Each component is connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other.

[0114] The control unit 21 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and controls the above-mentioned components and executes various arithmetic processing in accordance with a program.

[0115] The storage unit 22 includes a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores various programs and data in advance, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that temporarily stores programs and data as a working area, and a hard disk that stores various programs and data.

[0116] The communication unit 23 includes an interface for communicating with other terminals and devices via a network.

[0117] The display unit 24 includes an LCD (liquid crystal display), an organic EL display, or the like, and displays various types of information.

[0118] The operation reception unit 25 includes a touch sensor, a pointing device such as a mouse, a keyboard, etc., and receives various operations from the user. The display unit 24 and the operation reception unit 25 may form a touch panel by superimposing a touch sensor serving as the operation reception unit 25 on the display surface serving as the display unit 24.

[0119] The printing unit 26 prints information (also referred to as printing information) output from an output unit described below onto a substrate (or an adhesive sheet) having an adhesive layer, thereby producing an adhesive label.

[0120] As shown in FIG. 7, the control unit 21 of the printing device 20 functions as an acquisition unit 211, a generation unit 212, and an output unit 213 by reading a program and executing a process.

[0121] [Acquisition unit 211] The acquisition unit 211 acquires predetermined information related to food residue. The acquisition unit 211 can acquire information input via the operation reception unit 25, for example.

[0122] [Generation unit 212] The generation unit 212 generates information to be printed (printing information) based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 211. For example, the generation unit 212 may convert the character and number information acquired by the acquisition unit 211 into digital data or the like, and generate a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode.

[0123] [Output section 213] The output unit 213 outputs the information generated by the generation unit 212. The information output by the output unit 213 is printed by the printing unit 26 on the surface of the substrate (or adhesive sheet).

[0124] (First reading device and second reading device) FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the schematic configuration of the first reading device 40 and the second reading device 50. As shown in FIG. 8, the first reading device 40 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a communication unit 43, a display unit 44, an operation reception unit 45, and a reading unit 46. Similarly, the second reading device 50 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a communication unit 53, a display unit 54, an operation reception unit 55, and a reading unit 56. The components are connected to each other via a bus so that they can communicate with each other. The control unit 41, the storage unit 42, the communication unit 43, the display unit 44, and the operation reception unit 45 of the first reading device 40, and the control unit 51, the storage unit 52, the communication unit 53, the display unit 54, and the operation reception unit 55 of the second reading device 50 are similar to those of the printing device 20, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0125] The reading unit 46 and the reading unit 56 can read information (for example, a barcode or a two-dimensional barcode) printed on the adhesive label 10 attached to the package.

[0126] 9, the control unit 41 of the first reading device 40 and the control unit 51 of the second reading device 50 read programs and execute processes, thereby functioning as an acquisition unit 411, a generation unit 412, and an output unit 413, and an acquisition unit 511, a generation unit 512, and an output unit 513, respectively. The control unit 41 of the first reading device 40 will be described below, but the control unit 51 of the second reading device 50 also has similar functions.

[0127] [Acquisition unit 411] The acquiring unit 411 acquires information read by the reading unit 46. For example, the acquiring unit 411 can acquire digital data based on a barcode or two-dimensional barcode read by the reading unit 46.

[0128] [Generation unit 412] Generation unit 412 generates information about food residue from the information acquired by acquisition unit 411. For example, information about food residue can be read from digital data based on the barcode or two-dimensional barcode acquired by acquisition unit 411 (this information is also referred to as read information).

[0129] [Output section 413] The output unit 413 outputs the information (read information) generated by the generation unit 412. The information output by the output unit 413 is displayed on a display by the display unit, for example.

[0130] <Overview of the overall process in the collection system> An outline of the overall process in one embodiment of the collection system will be described below with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0131] 10, first, printing device 20 receives input of predetermined information related to food residue from a person or the like via operation receiving unit 25, and acquisition unit 211 acquires the information (S301). Generation unit 212 of printing device 20 generates information to be printed based on the information acquired by acquisition unit 211 (S302). The information generated by generation unit 212 is output by output unit 213, and printing unit 26 prints the printing information on the surface of the substrate (or adhesive sheet) (S303).

[0132] The adhesive label with the printing information printed thereon is attached to the package by the person disposing of the waste, etc. The package containing the food residue and with the adhesive label attached is then handed over to a collection company, etc.

[0133] The first reading device 40 receives an operation by a collection company or the like at the operation reception unit 45, reads the printing information on the adhesive label via the reading unit 46, and the information is acquired by the acquisition unit 411 (S304). The generation unit 412 generates readout information based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 411 (S305). The readout information is then output by the output unit 413 and displayed on the display or the like of the first reading device 40 by the display unit 44 (S306). The collection company collects packaging containing food residue based on the content displayed on the display or the like of the first reading device 40, and delivers the packaging containing the food residue to a food residue processing facility.

[0134] <Overview of the overall process in the recycling system> An overview of the overall processing in one embodiment of the recycling system will be described below using the flowchart in Fig. 11. Note that S401 to S406 are the same as S301 to S306 in the above-mentioned collection system, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0135] As shown in FIG. 11, after S406, the packaging containing the food residue to which the adhesive label has been attached by the collection company is delivered to a food residue recycling facility and handed over to the recycling company or the like.

[0136] The second reading device 50 receives an operation by a recycler or the like at operation reception unit 55, reads the printing information on the adhesive label via reading unit 56, and the information is acquired by acquisition unit 511 (S407). The generation unit 512 generates read information based on the information acquired by acquisition unit 511 (S408). The read information is then output by output unit 513 and displayed on the display or the like of second reading device 50 by display unit 54 (S409). The recycler recycles the food residue using a recycling processing device suitable for the food residue based on the content displayed on the display or the like of second reading device 50.

[0137] The printing device and first reading device included in the food residue collection system, and the printing device, first reading device, and second reading device included in the food residue recycling system may be capable of exchanging information with each other via the Internet. For example, they may be connected to a server equipped with a CPU via the Internet, and information may be exchanged and processed via the server. However, the collection system and recycling system according to one embodiment of the present invention can transmit information from the waste generator to the collector or recycler using adhesive labels on which predetermined information is printed. Therefore, the printing device, first reading device, and second reading device do not necessarily need to be connected to the Internet, and the collection system and recycling system can achieve their objectives even if they are in a standalone state.

[0138] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be modified in various ways within the scope of the claims.

[0139] <Reference example: Biodegradability test for adhesive labels> The biodegradability of the adhesive label constituting one embodiment of the present invention was verified.

[0140] <Preparation of substrate> First, a wood pulp raw material consisting of 50% bleached softwood pulp (NBKP) and 50% bleached hardwood pulp (LBKP) was beaten in water to a beating degree of 25°SR by the Schopper-Riegler method to obtain a pulp slurry.

[0141] Next, to 100 parts by mass of the pulp solids in this pulp slurry, 1.3 parts by mass of polyamine epichlorohydrin resin (WS4011, manufactured by Seiko PMC Co., Ltd.) previously activated with sodium hydroxide as a wet strength agent, 4 parts by mass of polyacrylamide (Polystron 191, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.) as an internal paper strength enhancer, 0.6 parts by mass of sizing agent (Sizepine CA-956, manufactured by Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.), and 0.3 parts by mass of aluminum sulfate (aluminum sulfate) were added to obtain a composition. This composition was then made into paper using a fourdrinier multi-cylinder paper machine, and a paper having a basis weight of 94 g / m was obtained. 2 We obtained the original paper.

[0142] Next, 100 parts by mass of oxidized starch (Oji Cornstarch Co., Ltd., Oji Ace A), 6.8 parts by mass of styrene-acrylic resin (Seiko PMC Co., Ltd., SE2325) as an emulsion-type surface sizing agent, and 6.8 parts by mass of acrylic resin (Arakawa Chemical Industries Co., Ltd., Polymerset 305A) as a surface paper quality improver were mixed and diluted with pure water to prepare a composition. The prepared composition was applied to both sides of the base paper obtained above using a size press until the dry mass was 3 g / m. 2 The coating was then dried to obtain a substrate.

[0143] The substrate had a breaking strength of 10.3 kN / m in the longitudinal direction and 5.9 kN / m in the transverse direction, and a wet tensile strength of 2.4 kN / m in the longitudinal direction and 1.4 kN / m in the transverse direction.

[0144] <Preparing adhesive labels> A toluene solution containing a 20% mixture of natural rubber and terpene resin was applied using a roll coater onto a piece of glassine paper coated with silicone as a release liner, so that the film thickness after drying would be 25 μm. The film was then dried at 90°C for 1 minute to form an adhesive layer.

[0145] A substrate was laminated onto the resulting pressure-sensitive adhesive layer to obtain a pressure-sensitive adhesive sheet in a state of being attached to a release liner, having a structure of release liner / pressure-sensitive adhesive layer / substrate.

[0146] Next, printing was performed on the side of the adhesive sheet where the adhesive layer was not present using an ink ribbon (Ricoh, B110C) with a printing device (Zebra, 140XiIII) to obtain an adhesive label adhered to the release liner.

[0147] <Biodegradability test> A biodegradability test was conducted on the adhesive label prepared as described above. The biodegradability test was conducted in accordance with the method specified for Biodegradation at OK Compost Industrial of TUV AUSTRIA. The method was in accordance with ISO 14855-1 (Plastics - Determination of the ultimate aerobic biodegradability under controlled composting conditions - Method by measuring the amount of carbon dioxide evolved - Part 1: General method). The biodegradability test was conducted on the adhesive label in a state where it had been peeled off the release liner, and on three adhesive label samples.

[0148] The absolute biodegradability was calculated according to the following formula 1, and the relative biodegradability was calculated according to formula 2. From the viewpoint of ensuring that the pressure-sensitive adhesive label has sufficient biodegradability, the average value of the relative biodegradability is preferably 80% or more, more preferably 85% or more, and even more preferably 90% or more.

[0149]

number

[0150]

number

[0151] The average relative biodegradability of the three samples after 45 days from the start of the test was approximately 95.8%, which met the pass standard, demonstrating that the above adhesive labels have sufficient biodegradability. [Explanation of symbols]

[0152] 10 adhesive labels, 11 base material, 12 adhesive layer, 13 printing layer, 20 printing equipment; 30 packaging; 40 first reading device, 50 second reading device, 21, 41, 51 Control section, 22, 42, 52 storage section, 23, 43, 53 Communications Department; 24, 44, 54 display section, 25, 45, 55 Operation reception unit, 26 Printing section, 46, 56 Reading unit 211, 411, 511 Acquisition Department; 212, 412, 512 generation section, 213, 413, 513 output section.

Claims

1. A method for recovering food residue, comprising: A collection step of collecting the food residue in a state where the food residue is contained in a package with an adhesive label attached, The adhesive label comprises: A substrate; a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer provided on one surface of the substrate, The method, wherein the packaging is printed with predetermined information related to the food residue contained in the packaging.

2. The method for collecting food residues according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of attaching the adhesive label, on which predetermined information related to the food residues is printed, to the packaging body.

3. The food residue recovery method according to claim 1, further comprising a printing step of printing predetermined information related to the food residue on the surface of the substrate opposite to the surface on which the adhesive layer is provided.

4. 2. The method for recovering food residues according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined information relating to the food residues is printed in the form of a barcode or a two-dimensional code.

5. The method for recovering food residue according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a breaking strength of 5.0 kN / m or more.

6. 2. The method for recovering food residue according to claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer has an adhesive strength of 15 N / 25 mm or more 24 hours after application to either polylactic acid or polybutylene succinate.

7. The method for recovering food residues according to claim 1, wherein the substrate has a wet tensile strength of 1.2 kN / m or more.

8. The method for recovering food residue according to claim 1 , wherein the substrate and the packaging body are biodegradable.

9. The method for recovering food residue according to claim 8, wherein the adhesive layer is biodegradable.

10. 2. The method for recovering food residues according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a paper-based substrate and / or a resin-based substrate containing one or more resins selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid-based resins and polybutylene succinate-based resins, and the packaging body contains one or more selected from the group consisting of polylactic acid, polybutylene succinate, and cellulose.

11. The method for recovering food residues according to claim 1, wherein the substrate is a paper-based substrate containing pulp, starch, and a paper strength agent.

12. A method for recycling food residues, comprising recovering food residues using the method for recovering food residues according to any one of claims 1 to 11, and further recycling the food residues.

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