Gifu turns cardboard waste into school support and local career paths

A new project in Gifu Prefecture is using corporate cardboard waste to tackle one of the region’s social issues of outflow of young talent. Sunwaspa, a Gifu-based company, has launched “GLink,” a regional circular programme that connects local businesses with schools to foster community ties and showcase local career paths to students.

Currently, approximately 32% of high school graduates and 60% of university graduates leave Gifu to build careers elsewhere. This has led to a situation where around 71% of local companies report serious labour shortages, threatening the region’s economic stability. While many businesses wish to contribute to their local communities, they often lack the resources or expertise to do so effectively.

GLink provides a practical model that requires no extra cost or personnel from participating companies. Businesses contribute by providing their waste cardboard for collection. The system converts the weight of collected cardboard into points, at a rate of one point per kilogram, which are then used to donate items like sports equipment, books and school supplies to local junior high schools. Each donation is made in the name of the contributing company.

Beyond the material donations, the project has a strong focus on career education. A key component is the “GLink Newspaper,” which is designed, printed and distributed by the programme. This publication introduces the donating companies to students, detailing their work, products and the people they employ. The initiative also facilitates company tours and talks, giving students direct insight into the opportunities available in their home region.

The programme is already active in junior high schools across Gifu City, Kakamigahara City, Seki and Yamagata City ahead of its formal launch in October 2025. In one recent example, Tokiwa Kogyo donated footballs and volleyballs to Sohara Junior High School in Kakamigahara. The accompanying GLink Newspaper was distributed to all 778 students, raising the company’s local profile while contributing to its sustainability goals.

Sunwaspa plans to expand GLink to more schools and companies throughout Gifu Prefecture. The company is also exploring collaborations with local government and other industries to strengthen the model. Future plans include an option for donations to support the prefecture’s forests, which cover 81% of its land area.