Hokkaido marathon will feature BRING’s circular T-shirts

The upcoming Hokkaido Marathon 2024 will feature participant T-shirts made from chemically recycled polyester, derived from unwanted running wear collected from last year’s runners. The initiative, a partnership between JEPLAN’s “BRING™” brand and Swiss sportswear company “On,” marks a significant step in Japan’s effort to advance a circular economy by reducing textile waste and promoting recycling.

The recycled T-shirts, to be distributed to participants in the marathon on August 25, were designed by On, the official wear partner of the Hokkaido Marathon since 2022. The polyester used in the T-shirts was created using JEPLAN’s proprietary chemical recycling technology, which transforms discarded clothing into high-quality fabric. This is the first time that the marathon will feature T-shirts made from recycled materials collected from its own participants. Participants will see the message “THIS T-SHIRT IS MADE TO BE RECYCLED. LIKE A GOOD RUN POWERS THE NEXT GREAT RUN” printed on the front of their T-shirts.

The project also takes advantage of JEPLAN’s “OPEN HIVE by BRING” traceability system. It allows wearers to scan a QR code on the collar of the T-shirts, offering them a view into the recycling process, from where the materials were collected to how they were processed and manufactured into new garments. The transparency is intended to engage consumers in understanding the lifecycle of their clothing by visualizing the impact of their participation in recycling.

JEPLAN has long been a proponent of the circular economy, which seeks to “circulate everything” by regenerating materials into new products and keeping them in the economy for as long as possible. The company works with consumers, businesses, and local governments to collect used clothing, PET bottles, and other items, which are then repurposed or transformed into new materials through various recycling technologies. JEPLAN’s unique chemical recycling technology allows polyester from old clothing and PET bottles to be recycled multiple times, extending the life cycle of the materials and reducing waste.

During the event, collection points will be set up to gather more unwanted sportswear, encouraging both runners and spectators to participate in the circular economy. The collected items will be processed and recycled, potentially becoming part of next year’s marathon apparel, closing the loop on the lifecycle of these materials.

JEPLAN plans to expand its partnerships with domestic and international brands, furthering its vision of a society where all products and materials are kept in circulation, reducing the environmental burden of waste.