The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Medal is Made From Recycled Gadgets

Tokyo strives for sustainability by manufacturing its 2020 Olympic medals from recycled electronics.

By involving people across Japan, they were able to make approximately 5,000 medals.

Japan is well-known for its constant pursuit of innovation. This time, their efforts come in the form of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic medal. From April 2017 to March 2019, Tokyo conducted the “Tokyo 2020 Medal Project”, which entailed people from all over Japan contributing their used electronic devices. These devices were recycled to produce the 5,000 gold, silver and bronze medals that will be presented to the world’s top athletes at the Games.

On top of that, the opportunity to design the medal was awarded to designer Junichi Kawanishi who won the medal design competition held by the Tokyo 2020 organizing committee. Beating over 400 entries, his design brings to mind shiny stones that have been polished from its once rough state. This represents athletes’ spirit of hard work and energy. The medal also comes in a special case that features fine Japanese craftsmanship.

The moment you have all been waiting for, your #Tokyo2020 Olympic Medals! ???

RT for good luck! 100% #Sustainable #1YearToGo pic.twitter.com/DcLKtEF0DQ

— #Tokyo2020 #1YearToGo (@Tokyo2020) July 24, 2019