Rail Company Recycling Bullet Train Metal
A Japanese rail operator is getting on track for a greener future by recycling metal from old bullet train cars.
Central Japan Railway Company has developed technology to give a new lease of life to aluminum from the 700-series Shinkansen it retired in March last year.
The process involves slicing the metal into small squares and removing things like paint and bolts, before melting it at blazing temperatures.
JR Central has a patent for the technology, and says it can maintain the quality and strength of the aluminum.
The metal will be reused in station buildings and stores at first, and could find a home in new bullet trains further down the line.
Officials say they can recycle about 4 tons of aluminum from one train car, reducing the need for fresh metal. It also cuts carbon dioxide emissions by 97 percent compared to producing the same volume from scratch.