Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center champions circular fashion in Tokushima

BIG EYE COMPANY Ltd., which operates Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center, has kicked off its “KURU KURU Fashion Project” in Tokushima Prefecture. The endeavor comes after the company’s selection for the “Fiscal 2023 Model Demonstration Project” by the Ministry of the Environment, aimed at rejuvenating used clothing.

From October 17 through November 30, clothing will be collected at two strategic locations across the prefecture, with a primary focus on the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center. These collected items will be subjected to compositional analysis before being funneled through a process of reuse, remaking, and recycling, thanks to partnerships with several companies.

On December 24, the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center will host a public event spotlighting the reuse aspect. Alongside the clothing’s reuse, there’s anticipation of a bustling marketplace featuring vendors skilled in clothing repair.

Looking ahead to January, a collection of redesigned clothing items, orchestrated by Dept Company Ltd. and Hidamari, is slated for sale. Chikuma Co., Ltd. will handle the material recycling of hard-to-repurpose clothes at their Kitakyushu facility. Furthermore, Hamada Co., Ltd. will transform collected 100% cotton products into recycled cotton, amplifying the project’s eco-conscious footprint.

Kamikatsu Town, notable for its pioneering zero waste declaration in Japan, serves as the backdrop for this groundbreaking initiative. Drawing from its vast experience in waste sorting and reuse, the town and its stakeholders aim to propel Tokushima Prefecture to the forefront of sustainable fashion.

The project’s impact extends until February 29, 2024, with collection points anchored at the Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center and the Eco Future Tokushima. Among the targeted apparel are jeans, shirts, jackets, suits, T-shirts, and skirts.