Hakuraku and ECOMMIT Collaborate for Sustainable Clothing Collection
In an effort to address the increasing problem of clothing waste, Hakuraku Co., Ltd., led by CEO Eiichi Igarashi, has announced an exciting collaboration with ECOMMIT, a circular commerce company based in Satsumasendai, Kagoshima, functioning under the leadership of CEO Teruyuki Kawano. This initiative aims to foster a sustainable society by enhancing fabric recycling efforts across approximately 50 stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area through ECOMMIT's resource recycling service, PASSTO.
The Mission of PASSTO
PASSTO is designed to create a “society that doesn’t throw things away.” Instead of discarding items, PASSTO encourages individuals to “pass on” unwanted belongings for the benefit of the community. It focuses on the collection, sorting, and redistribution of used items, ensuring that they find a new life instead of becoming waste.
Since April of this year, Hakuraku has expanded its clothing collection services through PASSTO across fifty locations. This includes a new trial initiative to clean and resell collected garments, thereby adding value through cleaning before redistributing them. Thus, they are developing an integrated model that connects collection, cleaning, and resale.
Innovative Clothing Cleaning and Resale Process
This approach aims not just to collect, but also to enhance the quality and value of donated clothing through professional cleaning. By doing so, Hakuraku seeks to establish a new cycle model that encourages sustainability and reduces waste. Clothing collected at Hakuraku stores undergoes thorough sorting at ECOMMIT’s Circular Center, where garments deemed reusable will be cleaned and restored to a high quality, even if initially stained or dirty. This effort is crucial for ensuring a successful secondary market.
On March 20, 2026, a selection of cleaned clothes collected through PASSTO was sold at
COCOROMO ROOM, a specialty store based in Kamakura, Kanagawa, focusing on used clothing collection and resale. The event attracted many customers, illustrating the community's support for clothing recycling initiatives.
Future Directions
Moving forward, Hakuraku intends to leverage insights gained from these initiatives to enhance their resale events. Their aim is to further develop the mechanisms from collection to redistribution, thereby elevating their commitment to sustainable practices. Through new sales events utilizing the added value of cleaning, the company can promote a circular economy model that not only benefits consumers but also the environment.
Clothing Collection Locations
Hakuraku offers clothing collection services at about 50 locations primarily throughout Tokyo, Kanagawa, Chiba, and Saitama. For detailed information, please check the PASSTO MAP on their website:
PASSTO MAP
Accepted and Not Accepted Items
Items Collected:
- - Clothing (children's wear, tops, bottoms, jackets, coats, shirts, skirts, etc.)
Items Not Accepted:
- - Torn items, excessively dirty pieces, stained clothing, items with fuzz balls, socks, undergarments, swimsuits, kimonos, gym uniforms, shoes, etc.
Important Notes
- - Collected items cannot be returned once dropped off.
- - Please do not include wet items.
The Vision of PASSTO
PASSTO, a portmanteau of “PASS TO,” emphasizes the goal of connecting unused goods to those who need them, ensuring that we facilitate sustainable practices within our communities. Currently, approximately 98% of clothes collected through PASSTO are either reused or recycled, contributing significantly to reducing CO2 emissions when compared to simple incineration methods.
For inquiries, please contact Hakuraku Customer Service at:
- - Phone: 0120-868-944
- - Operating Hours: Weekdays from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM.