Case Study on the Establishment of a Local Circular Economy Loop through Recycling School Uniforms in a Japanese Countryside

Abstract

The fashion industry is known for its significant contribution to global environmental deterioration. The production of clothes consumes tremendous amounts of water and energy, and clothes, usually discarded within a short time, end up in landfill sites and generate secondary environmental pollution. In Japan, the school uniform culture continues to be widely followed and does not meet the global consensus on circular economies. Used uniforms are tucked away at the back of a wardrobe or discarded, although they remain in perfectly good condition. This is a case study of a uniform recycling loop first established by a university and subsequently transferred to a private company. Internet searches and questionnaire surveys were conducted to explore common perceptions of uniforms. In Japan, uniform costs are at least 700 USD when enrolling in public junior high schools. The findings showed that the parents of students strongly supported the uniform recycling project and were willing to pay up to 30% of the original price of uniforms if they were in a good condition.