How ECOMMIT achieved 76% CO2 reduction with circular practices

ECOMMIT has published its first IMPACT PROGRESS REPORT, a major milestone in its mission to build a circular society by collecting, sorting, and redistributing unused items.

The IMPACT PROGRESS REPORT outlines ECOMMIT’s sustainability roadmap, featuring an Impact Story section that highlights significant environmental achievements. For example, ECOMMIT reports a 76.1% reduction in CO2 emissions through resource circulation compared to incineration. Specifically, incinerating collected clothing would emit 5,722 tonnes of CO2, whereas ECOMMIT’s methods reduce this to 1,369 tonnes. Including emissions from its operations, total emissions are 1,591 tonnes, a 72.2% reduction compared to incineration.

As a “circular trading company,” ECOMMIT focuses on creating infrastructure for resource circulation. Its flagship service, PASSTO, offers a sustainable alternative to disposal by enabling individuals to pass on unwanted goods for reuse. Additionally, the company operates Circular Centres at seven locations across Japan, where collected items are carefully sorted and redistributed.ECOMMIT distinguishes itself by salvaging items like clothing and miscellaneous goods that might otherwise be discarded. Through meticulous sorting and partnerships with diverse redistribution channels, the company prioritises reuse and ensures that non-reusable items are recycled. This process, supported by a proprietary traceability system, minimises waste, calculates reuse and recycling rates, and tracks CO2 reductions. These efforts have achieved a 98% circular rate for clothing, with only 1% ending up as waste.

Japan generates approximately 470,000 tonnes of discarded clothing annually. Studies indicate that sustaining Japan’s standard of living globally would require 2.9 Earths’ worth of resources. ECOMMIT envisions a future where society thrives within the limits of one Earth’s resources. Tthe organisation focuses on three key transformations within the value chain: avoiding waste, increasing the use of recycled materials, and reducing the overall volume of resource inputs.

While ECOMMIT’s collection represents a small fraction of this, the company aims to inspire broader action by sharing its progress through the IMPACT PROGRESS REPORT, and aspire others toward a circular economy.