Circular Economy Simulation System

Abstract

The goal is to achieve both upcycling and zero waste simultaneously. [Solution] The system comprises: a recycled raw material quantity calculation means that calculates the quantity of recycled raw materials that can be recycled as raw materials from the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process; a planned production quantity input means that inputs the planned production quantity of products to be produced using the raw materials; a new raw material quantity output means that calculates the quantity of raw materials required based on the planned production quantity input into the planned production quantity input means and outputs the quantity of new raw materials that are newly required by subtracting the quantity of recycled raw materials calculated by the recycled raw material quantity calculation means; and a waste material quantity calculation means that calculates the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process based on the planned production quantity input into the planned production quantity input means. The system simulates the quantity of recycled raw materials and the quantity of new raw materials from the quantity of waste materials calculated by the waste material quantity calculation means, and realizes a circular economy without difficulty by changing the flow of money.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a system (computer system) for simulating a circular economy that circulates all raw materials as resources.

Background Art

[0002] The inventor of the present application disclosed the invention described in Patent Document 1 in order to provide a technology that can utilize plant-based food waste and rice and wheat that have passed a predetermined storage period as processed foods.

[0003] Incidentally, food waste reaches as much as 1.3 billion tons per year (worldwide). The inventor of the present application, as a person involved in food production, has long felt a sense of crisis about such a situation and has been thinking about the following. (1) Minimize Food Loss and Food Waste (food waste). (2) Strive to recycle all raw materials as resources. (3) In the manufacturing process, strive to reduce energy consumption while being aware of carbon neutrality (or a decarbonized economy, the same hereinafter).

[0004] Therefore, the inventor of the present application considered that in order to achieve these objectives, it is necessary to simultaneously achieve upcycling and not generating waste (making waste zero).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, conventional circular economies have inevitably resulted in the generation of residues and waste (see Figure 1). This is because the circular economy as we know it has not been truly circular, but rather, in reality, a linear economy (see Figure 2).

[0007] In other words, as illustrated in Figure 3, if we use a road analogy, a circular economy implemented only superficially through upcycling will result in a "Traffic Jam" due to the convergence of Upstream and Reuse (upcycled and reused), preventing the realization of a smooth circular economy.

[0008] Therefore, the inventor of the present invention completed the present invention in order to resolve this issue. The first invention of the present invention is a simulation system for a circular economy in which all raw materials are recycled as resources, comprising: a recycled raw material quantity calculation means that calculates the quantity of recycled raw materials that can be recycled as raw materials from the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process; a planned production quantity input means that inputs the planned production quantity of products to be produced using raw materials; a new raw material quantity output means that calculates the quantity of raw materials required based on the planned production quantity input to the planned production quantity input means and outputs the quantity of new raw materials that are newly required by subtracting the quantity of recycled raw materials calculated by the recycled raw material quantity calculation means; and a waste material quantity calculation means that calculates the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process based on the planned production quantity input to the planned production quantity input means, and is characterized by simulating the quantity of recycled raw materials and the quantity of new raw materials from the quantity of waste materials calculated by the waste material quantity calculation means, thereby realizing a circular economy. The second invention of the present invention is a circular economy simulation system related to the first invention described above, characterized by achieving carbon neutrality by eliminating waste materials that are not recycled. The third invention of the present invention is a circular economy simulation system according to the first or second invention described above, characterized in that the waste material is food waste. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention described above has the following effects. (1) In order to produce the planned quantity of goods, first, the quantity of recycled raw materials is calculated from the amount of waste generated in the production process prior to the planning stage. Next, the quantity of new raw materials needed to supplement the amount of recycled raw materials that is insufficient is calculated, thus eliminating any surplus of raw materials in the production process. This allows for a smooth circular economy through upcycling without the occurrence of "Traffic Jams." In other words, it means that the waste generated in the production process prior to the planning stage (the previous production process) ceases to be waste, effectively achieving the goal of "not creating waste (zero waste)." (2) Furthermore, by eliminating waste materials that are not recycled (making waste zero), the large amount of carbon dioxide emissions that occur when waste is disposed of are suppressed, and a factor that brings us closer to carbon neutrality can be achieved. (3) If this circular economy can be realized in the food sector, it will be possible to reduce the amount of food waste generated globally, which currently amounts to 1.3 billion tons per year, and domestically, which fluctuates between 4.7 million and 6.5 million tons per year, while also averting a food crisis and protecting the natural environment. (4) The primary reason cited for consumers not choosing sustainable products is that they are expensive. However, a more significant reason for not purchasing them is the lack of clear information about which products are truly environmentally friendly (according to a survey conducted in 2023 by major Chinese online retailers, etc.). Manufacturers can clearly present environmental friendliness as a reason when introducing products to the market. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Diagram (1) illustrating the conventional challenges. [Figure 2] Diagram (2) illustrating the conventional challenges. [Figure 3] Diagram (3) illustrating the conventional challenges. [Figure 4] Diagram (1) illustrating the circular economy simulation system. [Figure 5] Diagram (2) illustrating the circular economy simulation system. [Figure 6] Diagram (3) illustrating the circular economy simulation system. [Figure 7] Diagram (4) illustrating the circular economy simulation system. [Figure 8] Diagram (5) illustrating the circular economy simulation system. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described based on the drawings (Figures 4 to 8). However, this embodiment is merely one example of the present invention and is not limited thereto.

[0012] Figure 4 is a diagram showing the configuration of the circular economy simulation system according to the present invention. As shown in the diagram, the circular economy simulation system (computer system) consists of the following components. The "means for calculating the quantity of recycled raw materials" calculates the quantity of recycled raw materials that can be recycled from the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process. The "planned production quantity input means" is used to input the planned production quantity of products to be produced using raw materials. The "New Raw Material Quantity Output Means" calculates the quantity of raw materials required based on the planned production quantity input by the Planned Production Quantity Input Means, and subtracts the quantity of recycled raw materials calculated by the Recycled Raw Material Quantity Calculation Means to output the quantity of newly required new raw materials. The "Waste Quantity Calculation Means" calculates the quantity of waste generated in the production process based on the planned production quantity input by the Planned Production Quantity Input Means.

[0013] By continuously (circulating) these means, the quantity of recycled raw materials and the quantity of new raw materials are simulated, and a circular economy that circulates all raw materials as resources is realized. Figure 5 conceptually compares the configuration of the circular economy simulation system illustrated in Figure 4 with the conventional linear economy. In the linear economy, it is linear, so it is an economic movement from upstream to downstream, and "utilization" is the downstream exit strategy. In contrast, in the circular economy, there is no downstream in order to finally return to the original state. It starts from upstream, circulates, and returns to upstream.

[0014] Next, Figure 6 illustrates a model of the "circular economy" by circular economy simulation. That is, it is the situation when the circular economy according to the invention of the present application is completed. Since the quantity of recycled raw materials is calculated from the quantity of food waste generated in the linear economy, a product with a planned production quantity that is Before Full Point and does not reach the required Full Point is put on the market. The quantity of products recycled (upcycled) from the waste (Waste) that was not used in the product from the new raw materials required to produce the product is supplied to the market according to the market demand (Full Point) quantity. When the product is put on the market, the food loss (Waste = Food Loss) due to the expiration of the shelf life is planned to be produced, so the loss rate can be minimized (Can Make Small).

[0015] Furthermore, Figures 7 and 8 illustrate a proposed business model for the circular economy from an economic perspective, using circular economy simulations. Figure 7 shows the movement of goods from raw materials to consumers in a linear economy, represented by a black line. Raw materials move as goods to suppliers, then to manufacturers, where they are manufactured into products, and finally to consumers. Waste is generated from materials not used by manufacturers in production, expired products, and products discarded by consumers who cannot finish eating them. The movement of money is represented by a thick line. Consumers purchase products, and manufacturers purchase raw materials from suppliers. Manufacturers also incur payments for the disposal of waste (upper panel). In this linear economy, if waste is upcycled, it can be returned as a product or as recycled raw material to the manufacturer, resulting in an oversupply of products and recycled raw materials into the saturated market (Figures 2 and lower panel of Figure 7).

[0016] In Figure 8, the movement of goods is similarly represented by black lines and the movement of money by thick lines. In a circular economy, the movement of goods remains the same as in a linear economy, from raw materials to consumers. However, upcycling occurs in the movement of goods that would otherwise be waste, and manufacturers reuse the recycled raw materials. Regarding the movement of money, it is exactly the same as in a linear economy up to the point where consumers purchase products and manufacturers purchase raw materials from suppliers. However, the main point of this invention is to adjust production in order to eliminate the "Traffic Jam" shown in Figure 3. But when production is adjusted, suppliers cannot secure the profits they were able to obtain in a linear economy, resulting in decreased revenue and profits for financial suppliers. However, if the flow of money is such that suppliers purchase waste as raw materials, the flow of money that manufacturers paid for waste disposal in the linear economy disappears. At the same time, by making it so that suppliers also pay for the recycling of waste into raw materials, it becomes possible to supply recycled raw materials, and by making it a flow that manufacturers purchase, suppliers can secure the profits they obtained in the linear economy. On the other hand, although the amount manufacturers pay for the upcycled and recycled raw materials that become manufacturing raw materials is greater than the disposal fees they previously paid for waste disposal (in the linear economy), they are experiencing a decrease in revenue due to reduced production in the planned production set in the circular economy. This decrease in production is compensated for by the difference between the production volume and the demand in the previous (linear economy) period, and at the same time, it becomes possible to manufacture environmentally conscious products by upcycling recycled materials, adding value and potentially increasing profits. [Industrial applicability]

[0017] The circular economy simulation system according to the present invention can be widely used not only in the food sector but also in various other fields to realize the recycling of all raw materials as resources.

Claims

1. This is a simulation system for a circular economy where all raw materials are recycled as resources. A means for calculating the quantity of recycled raw materials that can be recycled as raw materials from the quantity of waste materials generated in the production process, A planned production quantity input means for inputting the planned production quantity of products produced using raw materials, A new raw material quantity output means calculates the required quantity of raw materials based on the planned production quantity input into the planned production quantity input means, and outputs the newly required quantity of new raw materials by subtracting the quantity of recycled raw materials calculated by the recycled raw material quantity calculation means. A waste material quantity calculation means calculates the quantity of waste material generated in the production process based on the planned production quantity entered into the planned production quantity input means, A circular economy simulation system characterized by its ability to simulate the quantity of recycled raw materials and the quantity of new raw materials based on the quantity of waste materials calculated by a waste material quantity calculation means, thereby realizing a circular economy.

2. A circular economy simulation system according to claim 1, characterized by achieving carbon neutrality by eliminating waste materials that are not recycled.

3. A circular economy simulation system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the waste material is food waste.

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