"New Initiative" Towel Recycling Initiative Launched

- In addition to towel reuse activities, we will also work on towel recycling activities -

Uchino Co., Ltd. (Head office: Chuo-ku, Tokyo / CEO: Uchino Nobuyuki), which proposes a healthy and comfortable lifestyle from bath time to good night's sleep, is pleased to announce that in addition to reusing collected towels, it will also begin recycling them as part of its efforts to achieve Goal 12 of the SDGs, "Responsible Consumption and Production."

The "Towel Collection Campaign" was launched to realize a circular society through the reuse of towels. The first phase was a trial that also served as market research, and was carried out at three stores in the Kanto region from October 1 to November 2021, 10. The second phase began at the Matsuya Ginza store and was rolled out nationwide from February 15, 11. Most recently, we have strengthened our collection campaign by teaming up with Takashimaya's "TSUNAGU ACTION WEEKS." With growing awareness of the SDGs, more stores are regularly holding the campaign, and collection campaigns are still ongoing at department stores nationwide. In collaboration with Mottainai Japan, we are currently delivering the collected towels mainly to welfare facilities, nursing homes, and children's cafeterias in Japan, and will continue to promote initiatives that are kind to people and the environment.

<Takashimaya's Initiatives>https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/store/special/tsunaguaction/retrieve.html

Second Towel Collection Campaign/Collection results as of September 2th

<Collection method> Collection boxes will be set up in stores
< Items to be collected > New and used towels from our own and other companies (used items must be washed)
< Campaign start date > February 2022, 2
< Number of campaigns held > 105 times
<Number of items collected> 3,043
*The number of items collected is only a reference as some customers made donations without informing shop staff.
*Campaign details (period, benefits, etc.) vary by store.

Future new initiatives

As part of our efforts to be even more environmentally friendly, we will reuse the collected towels as raw materials to weave new towels. We will continue to promote our activities with the aim of making effective use of limited natural resources and reducing the CO2 emitted by incinerating waste.

[Recycling process]
1. The collected towels are cut into small pieces.
2. Returning it to its fibrous state
3. Spinning into thread
4. Weaving towels from the spun yarn

What is Mottainai Japan?

Nonprofit Organization Mottainai Japan
Address: 253-0071 Hagizono, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture, 1642-2
URL:http://mottainai-japan.com/

Activity policy: Based on the spirit of "Mottainai," we widely collect edible food that is discarded and usable daily necessities, and donate them to welfare organizations and individuals in Japan and overseas who need them. By spreading the "Mottainai spirit," we will contribute to the realization of a bright, healthy, and smiling society.