Partnering With Corporations in Promoting Field Trials

In October 2020, in cooperation with Lion, we started collecting used refill packs at Ito-Yokado’s Hikifune branch in Sumida-ku, Tokyo. During the first year of collection, we were able to collect approximately 9,500 used refill packs, and we have confirmed that many are willing to wash and dry the containers prior to disposing of them.
Since October 2021, collection boxes have been installed at a total of 28 locations, including the headquarters and 20 stores of Welcia Pharmacy in Tokyo and 7 stores in Saitama Prefecture. In collaboration with HAMAKYOREX, a logistics company, we are taking on the challenge of building an efficient collection system that utilizes return trips for product deliveries.

By promoting the concept of “RecyCreation” that takes used products and recycles them to add value, we aim to gain the understanding and cooperation of consumers for recycling, study more effective refill pack collection systems, improve and develop recycling technologies, and build a supply chain. By doing so, we aim to realize a circular society.

This initiative has received the Selection Committee Chairman’s Commendation in the fiscal 2021 Good Practices of Consumer-Oriented Management Awards organized by the Consumer Affairs Agency, as well as the Minister of the Environment’s Award in the 6th Japan Open Innovation Awards sponsored by the Cabinet Office.