Only about 30% of worn out and outgrown clothes are reused or recycled in Japan. The remaining 70% are disposed of as garbage, amounting up to approximately 500,000 tons every year.^*1 Since 2010, we have been collecting MUJI textile products no longer needed from our customers at MUJI stores with the aim to recycle natural resources and reduce waste. The textile products collected are upcycled as new clothes or recycled as raw materials. We collected 52 tons of textile products to be reused and recycled in fiscal year 2023.^*2 1 From "Sustainable Fashion", Ministry of the Environment (in Japanese) 2 The amount of textile products collected in FY2023 is an estimate due to the varying counting methods our business partners adopt. After sorting the products collected according to our original criteria, we conduct reuse and recycle (thermal recycling included) with the cooperation from our business partners. We have estimated the amount by multiplying the number of boxes of collected textile products by their average weight. These boxes are sent to our distribution centers from all MUJI stores in Japan. We will continue to make efforts to provide appropriate and accurate information by working together with our business partners.

This is an initiative to recycle items that have been used by customers for many years, or items that cannot be sold as a result of a glitch during the manufacturing and distribution process. The clothes are re-dyed with indigo color and given whole new value.

ReMUJI (in Japanese)

We are collecting and recycling MUJI plastic products as part of our effort to contribute to circularity.^*1

We began with collecting PET products, such as used facial lotion/milk plastic bottles and "My Bottle for Water" in July 2022. After being collected at stores, they are recycled into polyester raw materials to reduce plastic waste and to make efficient use of petroleum-based raw materials.

Since February 2023, we have expanded our list of products eligible for collection to include more products such as plastic storages, dust boxes and stools. MUJI stores around Japan is open for collection.^*2

As of the end of fiscal year 2023, 251 plastic products are being collected.^*3

We collect unnecessary plastic products regardless of their condition and the place and time of purchase. When meeting the criteria, they are sold as second-hand, and when not, they are recycled into MUJI products after being fragmented and cleansed.

As a retailer company, we are devoted in establishing efficient and responsible ways to conduct recycle and reuse.

MUJI CYCLE＞

As part of our efforts to reduce plastic waste, we have installed water refilling stations in MUJI stores. This is a water supply service using tap water that is available free of charge to anyone who brings a "My Bottle for Water" or other bottles. It started with 113 stores in 2020, and expanded to 431 stores in FY 2023.

Water Project (in Japanese)

In order to reduce food loss, we have started "food drive" activity in cooperation with local governments of each region. This is an initiative to collect foods (canned food, pouched food, dried food, dried noodles, beverages, condiments/seasonings, etc.) whose expiration dates are close, and to provide them to local welfare groups and facilities through food bank organizations. The program started at MUJI Tokyo Ariake, which opened in December 2020. In FY2023, the number of collection bases expanded to 91 stores.

To contribute to the realization of a circular society, we are recycling paper hangers used for our product display.

Concerned of our impact on the environment, we have been engaged in reducing the amount of plastic we use for product display and packaging. Since fiscal year 2019, we have gradually switched hangers for product display from plastic to recycled paper. Starting from October 2022, we began to collect and recycle them to further proceed our initiatives for circularity.

Variously shaped paper hangers used for displaying underwear and socks are eligible for collection. After being collected, they are dissolved and processed into recycled paper, and reused as hangers for displaying MUJI products.^*1。
Collection boxes are placed at MUJI stores all around Japan.^*2
Please join us in making progress step by step towards a better environment.

MUJI CYCLE＞(Japanese only)