Long Life Plastic Project 2023 Mug

"Plastic Products can be lifelong companions if you care for them."

"Long Life Plastic Project" is a project where we tackle change with age and using plastic as a life-long material. We would like to introduce our "Long Life Plastic Mug" as our very first project. We have the desire to not just market it as a product but also ask customers to participate in our project.

A predilection for plastic has created a new idea called, "Enjoy change with age"

We have validated and proposed Long Life Design from various points of view and also have renewed our attention to "plastic," which is a considerable burden to the earth's environment and our ecosystem. Since 2021, we have engaged in the "Long Life Plastic Project," which considers plastic a lifetime object. While using the "Long Life Plastic Mug", we would like to learn about plastics and their value with everyone.



Just like wood, pottery, glass, and metal, plastic also changes with age.

"Long Life Plastic Project" started with D&DEPARTMENT's founder, Kenmei Nagaoka's predilection for plastic. Although the impression "plastic products are disposable" has been established, Nagaoka had developed a fondness for plastic products that change with age through discoloration by being left outdoor and exposed to sunlight or wear.

And Mr.Nagaoka started collecting plastic products as a hobby. These plastic products were displayed and sold at an exhibition held in 2020 called "nagaoka kenmei plastics" by Kazumi Tsuji, a glass artist who lives in Kanazawa.

Many people from the plastic industry were present at this exhibit, which conveyed the message, "Just like wood, pottery, glass, and metal, plastic also changes with age." President Mr. Kazuyoshi Sanada of Sanada Seiko Co., Ltd. (plastic manufacturer), says, "I was fascinated. It was an opportunity to notice that our thoughts as a plastic product manufacturer lacked flexibility." This event started a relationship between Nagaoka and Mr. Sanada and they initiated their plans to launch the "Long Life Plastic Project."



factory zoomer/gallery 44th exhibition
"nagaoka kenmei plastics"
January 10 - February 16, 2020
factory zoomer/gallery, Kanazawa (Ishikawa Prefecture)

An art piece but also a practical plastic mug that symbolizes participant-based projects.

The goal of the "Long Life Plastic Project" is to redefine the value of plastic. Plastic can be used as a lifetime object while enjoying its change with age. As such a symbol, we have developed the "Long Life Plastic Project 2021 Mug," our original plastic mug in 2021 for our participant-based project.

The mug itself has a message carved on it and also has a sticker with a serial number. "When thinking about mugs, anyone would picture a certain form." Although it utilizes such a universal design, it's slightly larger and has a capacity of 500ml when filled to the brim. "If we used a typical mug size, it would end up being a normal product." Nagaoka thought. To emphasize "the symbol for Long Life Plastic Project" = "art piece" concept, the mugs were a small-lot production and sold in limited quantities.





The "Long Life Plastic Project 2023 Mug" utilizes 100% bio-based polypropylene created by the mass balance method and has Mitsui Chemicals, Inc's "BePLAYER®" project logo engraved on it. BePLAYER® is an effort aimed at promoting the use of bio-based products in society to resolve the global warming issue.

This "Long Life Plastic Mug" does not use conventional packaging.

"Packaging" was once considered a necessity for "products," whose concepts have been gradually changing due to the logistics and environmental change. For instance, we must change the idea of a design where we open the package in our home and dispose of it once the product gets delivered from the retailer to our homes.

This "Long Life Plastic Mug" does not use conventional packaging but rather a single plastic bag. Needless to say, it has a vivid message and logo with the impression to encourage you to use it as a shopping bag once it reaches your house.

Dimensions: diameter 100mm x height 90mm
Capacity: full capacity at 500ml
Material: Bio-PP (100% bio-based polypropylene)
*The mass balance method by BePLAYER® (Mitsui Chemicals, Inc.)

Sanada Seiko Co., Ltd.
A plastic manufacturer founded in 1974. It develops, produces, and markets plastic products, with "Let's create a plastic loved by everyone" as its corporate motto. It has the desire to promote plastic products that can be used by people as a tool for a long period, instead of as a disposable one. They believe it's a corporate mission to think about the entire lifespan of a product, with creation, use, and disposal in mind.

・Can resist heat of up to 140 degrees Celsius (284 degrees Fahrenheit) and cold conditions as low as -20 degrees Celsius (-4 degrees Fahrenheit). Microwave safe (within the allowed heat range). Do not use dishwasher or dish dryer, as they may cause the product to deform.
・Thoroughly wash with a washing detergent and sponge before use. Wipe and let dry.
・Do not use a brush or toothpaste to polish the surface, as they may cause scratches.
・Do not expose to fire, use in ovens or grill.
・When using food with dark colors or strong aroma, the colors and smell may cling to the container. However, this will not compromise quality.
・Do not use for other purposes such as producing ice.
・Can be used in the microwave under specified heating conditions. Beware of the following precautions:
　-Prolonged heating, heating at 700W or over, or heating food containing high amounts of oil or sugar should be avoided, as it will cause deforming.
　-Do not heat empty.
　-Do not use microwaves that can use the oven and steaming functions simultaneously.
　-When heating small amounts of food or food containing small amounts of water, shorten heating time.