MOTHEROUSE, an international Japanese brand known for ethically-made leather bags, received the Good Toy 2025 award for its RINNE Living Toy. The product consists of animal-themed leather puzzles crafted from recycled leather bags collected from...
Seiho-do Inc., a traditional craft manufacturer based in Nomi, Ishikawa Prefecture, launched its Repair Glass series on 14 January. The project upcycles broken high-quality wine and champagne glasses by joining salvaged glass bowls to stems using...
The Kyoto-based upcycling brand SANS-SERIF has launched a two-way bag crafted from vintage British bus roll signs. Operated by FLOTATION, the brand developed the product to mark its 10th anniversary. Both a shoulder bag and a backpack, the bag...
Precious Plastic Waseda, a student-led project at Waseda University, and Karatsu Farm & Food, a Kyushu-based non-profit organisation, launched an online store on 25 January selling handcrafted products made from plastic waste collected along the...
Japanese beauty giant KOSÉ Corporation has partnered with the University of Tokyo to develop technology that transforms discarded cosmetic ingredients into high-performance catalysts for air purification and green energy. The collaboration focuses...
NOTO Naorai Inc. is a venture dedicated to the revitalisation of Japanese sake breweries that has launched a circular economy project to upcycle surplus Omiki, or sacred sake, into a premium distilled spirit. This is a collaboration with Mekari...
A limited-edition face mask incorporating upcycled soy sauce lees was launched in Japan in January through a cross-industry collaboration involving Mizkan Holdings Co., Ltd., StylingLife Holdings Inc. BCL COMPANY and biotech start-up Fermenstation...
Chocolate Design Co., Ltd., the operator of the Yokohama-based craft chocolate brand VANILLABEANS, has launched a new line of book covers crafted from upcycled cacao husks. The product debuted on the company’s online shop on 13 January, showing how...
Fuji City-based manufacturer Kocho Co., Ltd. has launched a pilot programme to test food trays made from upcycled tea grounds. This is a collaboration with Shizuoka University and Toyo Resin to establish a regional circular economy model by...
Karimoku Furniture Inc. and ASICS Corporation has released a collaborative furniture collection, featuring cushions manufactured from recycled footwear materials. The line comes under the Karimoku New Standard (KNS) brand, repurposing deadstock and...