Aeon stores launch clothing recycling scheme for textile circularity

Chikuma Co., Ltd., has teamed up with Aeon Retail Co., Ltd., to launch a clothing collection and recycling project, closing the loop for a circular economy in the textile industry.

Starting October, the project will see the installation of material-specific collection boxes in all 283 Aeon Retail Co., Ltd. stores nationwide. This initiative encourages consumers to play an active role in sustainability by sorting their unwanted clothes by material – 100% polyester, 100% cotton, and mixed fabrics.

The collected items will be recycled into car interior materials or returned to textile raw materials and reborn as new products. This initiative not only addresses the global issue of environmental degradation due to greenhouse gases and marine pollution but also tackles the pressing problem of clothing waste and CO2 emissions in the textile industry.

A preliminary test conducted from August 23 to September 10 at four Aeon stores resulted in the collection of 92kg of unwanted clothing, showcasing the project’s potential for success. The sorted materials comprised 4kg of 100% polyester, 30kg of 100% cotton, and 58kg of mixed fabrics.

Moreover, this project is set to contribute significantly to the construction of a textile recycling system in Japan. In collaboration with WG, the project will gather basic information such as the amount and material composition of unwanted clothes collected from consumers. It will also conduct awareness surveys on clothes collection and sorting, serving as a platform for research on changing consumer behavior.