Renet Japan trials appliance takeback across 7 Yahoo! Shopping stores

Renet Japan Recycle has launched a demonstration trial of a replacement collection service for used small electronic appliances, following selection for a national urban mine recovery programme. The trial began on Yahoo! Shopping last month connecting electronic appliance sales with e-waste recovery infrastructure. Courier Sagawa Express provides door-to-door collection logistics, supported by capital and business alliances recently concluded by parent firm Renet Japan Group Inc. with SG Holdings and JX Metals Circular Solutions.

The model offers a solution to the logistical barrier consumers face when disposing of old equipment after buying replacements online. Seven stores on Yahoo! Shopping are participating in the trial. When purchasing an appliance, customers can opt into the collection service at checkout and receive a serial number. Consumers then register their preferred collection date and time on a dedicated Renet Japan portal, pack the items, and hand them over to courier service Sagawa Express. Renet Japan manages the scheme design, application processing, customer support, and the recycling processes.

During the trial, the companies will track application rates, completion rates, collection volume, and total scrap weight across different product categories and promotional methods. Japan’s national Circular Economy Action Plan sets a target of expanding the circular economy market to over 80 trillion yen by 2030, and the data will contribute to the target. The policy prioritises securing domestic supplies of recycled resources, expanding recovery volumes, and curbing inappropriate disposal and overseas outflows.

Renet Japan plans to use the trial data to standardise promotion, application, and operational workflows for online retailers. The company aims to expand the model to additional e-commerce malls, mail-order businesses, and manufacturer direct-sales websites.