Japan uses old smartphones to make medals for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Japan would need 2 tons of metal to make 5,000 gold, silver, and bronze medals.

Japan is the next country to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2020. Japan has long been known for its unique ideas, and its preparations for this year's Games are no exception.

Japan will recycle old smartphones to make medals for the 2020 Olympics.

Accordingly, Japan will need 2 tons of metal to produce 5,000 gold, silver, and bronze medals. It is known that all the necessary materials, such as iron, copper, lead, and zinc, will be sourced from scrap metal from old smartphones and tablets. In addition, they will utilize other old household appliances such as refrigerators and air conditioners to extract other rare metals. They will then use chemical processes to separate these metals before manufacturing the medals.

They will need 2 tons of metal for this.

This unique idea will help Japan significantly reduce medal production costs while also contributing to environmental protection. Koji Murofushi, director of the Japan Sports Federation, stated: "Natural resources are limited, so recycling will protect the environment and, more importantly, provide a great opportunity for every citizen to contribute to the creation of medals and the organization of the Olympic Games."

Reportedly, Japan will place metal collection bins in public places, offices, etc., starting in early April this year until they collect enough metal (2 tons) to produce medals. Clearly, this action once again demonstrates the Japanese people's strong environmental awareness and frugality.

According to Young Knowledge