Recycled aluminium, one of the main ingredients used to make Tokyo 2020 podiums

While the medals for the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games were made from metals taken from abandoned cell phones and computers, few people are aware that the podiums were made from 24.5 tonnes of recycled domestic plastic garbage.

"The podiums were made using 24.5 tonnes of recycled household plastic garbage, which was contributed by people across Japan to highlight how sustainability in society can be accomplished," the Tokyo2020 Twitter feed wrote on Friday, describing the "winning ceremony at the #Tokyo2020 #Paralympics."

"Waste material was also used to make the symbols embedded along the sides. Designer TOKOLO Asao, who also created the Tokyo 2020 emblem, based it on the traditional Japanese chequered pattern, ichimatsu moyo, used aluminium recycled from temporary housing provided in the regions affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake," stated the Tokyo Games organisers.

The medals for Paralympic competitors were designed with the thought that in order to reach glory, athletes must strive for success on a daily basis, according to the organisers.

"They (medals) resemble rough stones that have been polished and shined with 'light' and 'brilliance' to symbolise the energy of the athletes and those who have supported them, as well as the warm glow of friendship. The medals also represent diversity and show how people who compete in sports and work hard are honoured,” added the Tokyo Games Organisers.

For the Tokyo Olympics and Paralympic Games, the Japanese government had to begin a two-year state wide drive to gather enough recycled material to produce 5,000 bronze, silver, and gold medals.

While the idea of producing medals out of abandoned computers, cellphones, and other electronic goods isn't new, the Japanese took it to a whole new level, gaining approval from over 90% of the country's cities, towns, and villages.

From over 80 tonnes of electrical gadgets, the country was able to manufacture 32kg of gold, 3,492kg of silver, and around 2200kg of bronze, which were then used to create the gleaming Olympic medals.