TONICHI's Remarkable Achievement in Sustainable Innovation
Recently, TONICHI, a leading player in the newspaper printing industry and a key company in the Mainichi Shimbun Group, has achieved a remarkable milestone. The company has received the prestigious highest award in the management category at the Kawasaki SDGs Grand Prize 2025. This honor was awarded to TONICHI in collaboration with its SDGs partner, Hayashi & Company, for their innovative 'newspaper wrapping paper' project, which effectively utilizes unused newspaper paper generated during the printing process.
The Vision Behind Upcycling
TONICHI operates one of the largest newspaper printing factories in the world, where they efficiently produce millions of newspapers daily. As part of their commitment to sustainability, the company has spearheaded the development of upcycled products that repurpose surplus newspaper sheets. The collaborative project with Hayashi & Company has reimagined these sheets as original wrapping paper for the general consumer market under the brand name
LIN-TE. Through this initiative, nearly 100,000 sheets of wrapping paper have been supplied to various retail outlets, cafes, and shoe stores, enhancing their unique branding as eco-friendly establishments while serving practical purposes such as food preservation and gift wrapping.
Recognition of Social Impact
Winning this award reaffirms the value of newspapers not only as a medium for delivering news but as a recyclable resource that creates social benefits. The recognition has inspired both TONICHI and its partners to continue pushing boundaries in sustainability efforts. The collaborative spirit behind this initiative has demonstrated the significant impact that can be achieved when businesses align their goals with social responsibility.
Commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
As proud advocates of the SDGs, TONICHI emphasizes the importance of preserving newspaper culture while making it relatable to younger generations. Their mission to redefine the role of discarded paper further solidifies their commitment to upcycling. Future initiatives will not only expand the product range of newspaper wrapping paper but will also explore upcycling other types of paper and leftover materials. Additionally, collaborations with corporations and local governments are being sought to develop comprehensive models for resource circulation.
Collaboration with Kawasaki City
Kawasaki City gained recognition as an 'SDGs Future City' in 2019, promoting sustainable urban development through collaboration between citizens, businesses, and organizations. Following this recent accolade, TONICHI aims to enhance partnerships with local governments and enterprises in Kawasaki and beyond to accelerate the development of innovative materials and products that support a sustainable society. By fostering such collaborations, TONICHI hopes to contribute significantly to the realization of a circular economy and a greener future.
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This recognition stands as a testament to the relentless pursuit of innovation in sustainable practices and reinforces TONICHI's role as a leader in responsible business practices.