#Japan #Sustainable Fashion #Yokohama #Community Loops #CYKLUS

Community Loops: A New Approach to Sustainable Fashion

A groundbreaking initiative, Community Loops, is set to launch in September 2025 with the aim of addressing Japan's alarming clothing waste crisis. Spearheaded by CYKLUS LLC (led by Ken-ichiro Hirata) and Harch Inc. (managed by Yu Kato), this project has been approved by Japan's Ministry of the Environment as part of its 2025 budget for the establishment of used clothing collection systems.

In Japan, approximately 500,000 tons of clothing are discarded each year, with a significant portion ending up in landfills or burned. This staggering figure equates to around 130 large trucks of clothing being thrown away daily, contributing to severe environmental damage. With such immense waste, the Japanese government has set an ambitious goal to reduce household textile waste by 25% by 2030 compared to 2020 levels.

Addressing the Clothing Waste Crisis

Community Loops aims not only to facilitate clothing collection but also to create a new circular resource model in collaboration with communities, universities, and local governments. This collective effort will help ensure that textiles are reused, repaired, and upcycled, contributing to a sustainable society that values caring for and maintaining clothing.

Project Overview

The initiative will be implemented across various cities including Yokohama, Tokyo, Osaka, and Kobe, utilizing educational institutions and local community spaces as collection hubs. The project consists of a seamless chain from collection to reuse, repair, and upcycling.

• - Collection: Community collection boxes will be installed in local universities and spaces, where clothing will be sorted based on their condition: items suitable for reuse, items needing repair, and materials for upcycling.
• - Sorting and Repair: Collected items will be sorted at employment support facilities or universities, undergoing necessary repair and maintenance.
• - Workshops and Documentary Events: Starting in October, “Repair Cafes” will be hosted, where participants can take part in workshops on repair, upcycling, and the resale of secondhand clothing, share their stories, and engage with the community. Screenings of the documentary “The Repair Cafe” will also take place to promote repair culture.
• - Building Local Circulation: The initiative aims to foster a robust cycle of clothing reuse within communities, drawing connections between people and local areas.

Partnering for a Sustainable Future

Community Loops is set to collaborate with several universities, enterprises, and local communities. Proposed partners include:

• - Kanto Area: International Christian University, Aoyama Gakuin University, Kanagawa University, and several others.
• - Kansai Area: Kansai Gakuin University and TOPPAN Inc.

Collection sites will also be established in both regions, facilitating ease of access for residents to donate or exchange clothing.

Five Key Features of Community Loops

1. Value Through Repair and Upcycling: By enhancing the value of items, clothing that might otherwise be discarded will find new life.

2. Co-Creation with Universities: Engaging students in workshops using design thinking and project-based learning, fostering a new generation equipped with sustainability insights.

3. Inclusive Circulation: Collaborating with employment support facilities to ensure everyone, including individuals with disabilities, can participate in these initiatives.

4. Transparency in Clothing Journey: Utilizing technologies like NFC tags to improve visibility throughout the recycling process, letting wearers trace the story behind their garments.

5. Cultural Engagement Through Film: The documentary screenings will bring the stories of individuals seeking to repair rather than replace, fostering connections and appreciation for belongings.

Upcoming Kickoff Event

To mark the commencement of Community Loops, a clothing exchange event will take place in Yokohama on September 12, 2025. Participants are invited to bring unwanted clothes to swap while learning more about the initiative.

Future Prospects

The objective of this initiative is to solidify effective clothing collection and recycling systems and establish a practical business model for sustainability. Future goals include packaging this community circular model for replication in other areas throughout Japan, contributing significantly to the national circular economy movement.

For additional insights and updates on Community Loops, visit the official site.**