With the aim of promoting an inclusive society through the employment of persons with disabilities Waseda University was among the first private universities in Japan to establish a subsidiary for persons with disabilities (※1), Waseda University Polaris Co., Ltd. (hereinafter: Polaris)., Polaris staff primarily engage in cleaning, administrative support, and document reception duties, supporting the university’s smooth operation.
On Wednesday, June 11th, as part of the assignment “Getting to Know the People Who Work at Toyama Campus” for the School of Culture, Media and Society/Introduction to Fieldwork course, three students interested in Polaris’ operations observed the PET bottle cleaning work (※2) being conducted on the B1F of Building 33.
▲ Students observing Polaris staff engaged in plastic bottle washing
The students observed the following work process: ① removal of the lids of PET bottles and emptying of the contents, ② label cutting using a cutter, ③ label removal, and ④ washing of the bottle interiors. Even in the hot and humid environment, they worked tirelessly, advancing the cleaning operation efficiently with remarkable speed and coordination, drawing gasps of admiration from the students.They listened enthusiastically and took notes as a Polaris employee explained the company’s use of role division to reduce mistakes and streamline tasks. The students took the initiative to ask numerous questions during and after the tour.
Polaris offers tours to students and faculty to provide a deeper understanding of the company’s profile and work. Interested parties may scan this QR code to schedule a tour.
*1 A subsidiary that pays special attention to the employment of people with disabilities, meets certain requirements, and is approved by the minister of health, labor and welfare for consideration as one of the parent companies in the calculation of the employment rate of people with disabilities
*2 Plastic bottle washing is also carried out at the Recycling Station in Waseda Campus Building 12-4.
Partial excerpt from “Reactions of Visiting Students”
- Whenever I threw plastic bottles in the trash, I was curious about who was recycling them and how. Seeing Polaris staff washing bottles speedily and with incredible concentration, while working together as if they were using a conveyor belt, made me want to do whatever I can to lighten their load, even if it is only a small task such as separating the labels and lids.
- The clear division of roles and efficient workflow left a strong impression. Despite the challenging working conditions—particularly the temperature and humidity—I felt deep respect for everyone’s focused and diligent work ethic.I realized that many people of whom students may not be aware provide support from behind the scenes, and I would like to remember that.
