Tableware utilizing recycled bat material

Mizuno’s wooden baseball bats are made by craftsmen who carefully shave down the wood whilst repeatedly making minute adjustments. But even when a piece of wood seems fine at first glance, as it gets shaved down knots can be found. Knots can cause a bat to break when in use, therefore bats with knots cannot be sold as they are made of noncompliant materials, and were normally disposed of.

Mizuno has been working on ways to effectively use such noncompliant materials to reduce the amount of waste generated from bat production. Through this process, Mizuno has formed partnerships with wood craftsmen based on Shimane Prefecture^*1,Japan, upcycling the waste into stylish tableware.

*1 Located at Northwest of Japan and is thriving woodworking industry.

Bat materials are cut into seven pieces, and each piece refashioned into new items by master craftsmen: tumblers, single-flower vases, toothpick holders, chopstick rests, and mini sake cups. Mizuno and wood craftsmen have always valued the blessings of the forest, and hope that these new products will bring the warmth and sense of serenity that only wood provides to the dining tables of as many people as possible, not just baseball fans.

Mizuno has been engaging in environmental conservation activities since 1991, and aims to realize carbon neutrality by 2050. To this end, as well as utilizing renewable energy and innovations in product manufacturing processes, Mizuno is actively working to reduce waste production and increase recycling.