In addition to the Onward Green Campaign (collection of used Onward Group apparel items for recycling and reuse) launched in 2009 with the aim of establishing an apparel circulation system, the Onward Group is also vigorously addressing plastic waste reduction and recycling. Promoting business activities that pursue coexistence with the global environment, we aim to realize a circular economy.
Onward Kashiyama launched the Onward Green Campaign in 2009 with the objective of encouraging the circulation of apparel to promote the efficient utilization of limited resources and to ensure our precious environment still exists for future generations to enjoy. Through this campaign, we promote an apparel circulation system in which we collect used Onward Group apparel items from customers so that they can be reused or recycled to the greatest degree possible.
Collected clothing items are recycled as RPF or thread is harvested from them to produce blankets and work gloves. The blankets are provided to disaster-affected areas in Japan and abroad and to developing countries in cooperation with the Japanese Red Cross Society. Work gloves are distributed for various purposes, such as for disaster relief, forest preservation, and awareness-raising activities. In addition, collected clothing items that are in good condition will be cleaned and sold at Onward Reuse Park in Kichijoji, Tokyo, which is our concept store to communicate the Group's environmental initiatives, and online at charity prices with the proceeds used to fund sustainable initiatives.
In March 2023, as the first step in launching Green Onward, a project to promote more advanced sustainable management throughout the ONWARD Group, we evolved the Onward Green Campaign both qualitatively and quantitatively and launched Upcycle Action to create new value by making use of unwanted clothing items. We will use our creative ability as a fashion company to create new value from unwanted clothing.
In addition, our clothing collection service, which was previously available only at stores, will be expanded online, and we will introduce a new point redemption system for collection at some stores, aiming to further improve the collection rate of clothing.
Mindful that plastic waste is implicated in climate change and a cause of marine pollution, Onward Kashiyama collects plastic waste and is promoting recycling and reuse. The initiatives include recycling of plastic packaging and covers used for delivery of products, use of reusable hangers, and use of reusable folding containers for transportation. We are vigorously promoting such initiatives to achieve carbon neutrality and a circular economy for the future of the planet, including in cooperation with industry associations.
In December 2023, Onward Kashiyama adopted the resource recycling platform CicroMate, which efficiently collects and recycles plastics by utilizing the transportation network of logistics company Senko Group Holdings Co., Ltd. Logistics materials from the manufacture and sale of products are collected and shipped to the Senko Group as resources. They are then processed into recycled resin, which is reused to make polyethylene hanger covers. Through this initiative, we will play a part in the resource recycling process.
CicroMate is a resource platform owned by the Senko Group.
We collect the hanger covers (clear plastic) used to protect products during transportation.
The Senko Group collects these hanger covers using their integrated circulatory distribution, and reduces their volume using a compressor.
The compressed hanger covers are sent to Terrarem Group Co., Ltd. to be processed into recycled resin. Finally, the resin is reused to make polyethylene hanger covers.
Onward Kashiyama has been using reusable hangers throughout its operations from sewing factories to delivery to stores. These hangers are collected, cleaned, and reused. This hanger circulation system has been in place since 1977. Moreover, we started full-scale use of reusable folding containers in 2001, instead of single-use cardboard boxes, for delivery.
Scheme for reusable hangers
Reusable hangers collected from stores and warehouses are inspected and those fit for reuse, including those that can be repaired for reuse, are cleaned and reused.
Reusable folding containers