Zenbird Editorial TeamHuman Forum is kicking off another collaboration in the name of textile resources circulartion. Alongside Kyoto City Government, professional basketball team Kyoto Hannaryz, and student group Enwicle, the company is cementing a local circulation system for used garments across Kyoto City.
Supported by national funding from the Ministry of the Environment for municipal reuse support, the collaboration addresses high incineration rates by expanding local clothing reuse, upcycling discarded textiles, and delivering environmental education in local primary schools.
Kyoto generates approximately 9,200 tonnes of discarded textiles annually, with around 70 percent disposed of through incineration. Out of the remaining 30 percent collected as recyclable materials, roughly half is exported overseas and 30 percent undergoes cascade downcycling into industrial rags or felt. Domestic garment reuse remains limited. The partnership targets a shift away from linear consumption by treating unwanted garments as valuable regional resources rather than waste.
Human Forum and its partners will host six garment sales and donation events in commercial and public facilities throughout Kyoto City. Household textile collection points will operate alongside these events to collect unwanted items directly from residents. In addition, unused team merchandise and old garments collected at Kyoto Hannaryz home games will be redesigned into upcycled goods. Production of these goods will involve local employment support facilities for adults with disabilities, linking environmental goals directly with social welfare.
Student organization Enwicle will collaborate on designing and exhibiting upcycled textile creations. Environmental education forms the final pillar of the scheme, with Kyoto Hannaryz conducting resource circulation lessons for municipal primary school pupils alongside dedicated sustainable fashion exhibition panels.
[Reference] PR Times (Japanese)
