Reviving old clothes with black dye through community upcycling hubs

Minpu LLC has announced the nationwide expansion of its upcycling network, Kurozome Tomo no Kai (Black Dye Friends Club). The initiative has operated for 12 years primarily through word of mouth, facilitating the restoration of faded or stained clothing. Starting 1 April, the organisation will begin its spring intake and actively recruit new partner shops to serve as regional collection points across Japan.

About 470,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded annually in Japan. Research from the Yano Research Institute indicates that roughly 1.9% of unsold apparel is disposed of, meaning vast quantities of wearable items enter the waste stream. Minpu LLC seeks to disrupt this linear consumption model by providing an accessible professional redyeing service that was previously difficult for individuals to access.

The initiative was founded by Iwasaki, an apparel manufacturer, and Fukuhara, whose family runs the haberdashery Momenbatake. The concept emerged when Iwasaki attempted to dye his own vintage clothes but encountered the high minimum order requirements of industrial dye works. By collaborating with local shops to pool garments from many individuals, the network successfully bypassed these commercial barriers. What began as a struggle to collect 10kg of clothing has grown into a system that processes 250kg per cycle.

To maintain affordability and operational efficiency, the network focuses exclusively on black dye. This standardisation allows the partner dye factory in the Kojima district of Kurashiki to process large volumes without the complexity of multiple colours. The organisers intentionally avoid accepting high-end or overly sentimental items, offering the service as a casual, everyday option for the common wardrobe.

The organisation is now seeking new partners, including haberdasheries, repair shops, and lifestyle boutiques, to act as “regional clothing consultation desks.” These partners manage the collection process twice a year, coinciding with seasonal wardrobe changes in April and September. Minpu LLC provides the necessary tools and handles the logistics, including shipping costs between the shops and the headquarters in Okayama.