2023.08.22

MUJI's 'ReMUJI' Focuses on Traditional Japanese Dyeing Techniques

MUJI is known for its simple and timeless design. Moreover, the brand places a strong emphasis on materials, such as organic cotton and recycled wool. As for environmental considerations, special pages such as 'MUJI's commitment to recycled materials' and 'MUJI's Recycling and Reuse' are available and serve as representative initiatives of Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd.

Today, we would like to focus on the company's new upcycling efforts for clothing under the 'ReMUJI' project, designed for reuse and recycling purposes. The Japanese have a history of valuing items with the mantra 'mottainai', and this project seems to be rooted in that philosophy. We asked Yota Tomura from the company's Material Development Department about the concept and activities of ReMUJI.

PROFILE

Kota Tomura

Ryohin Keikaku Co., Ltd. Material Development Department, Material Development (joined the company as a new graduate in 2017)
After serving as store manager and block manager, he was assigned to his current department. He joined the company because he empathized with MUJI's organic cotton initiative.
He disseminates ReMUJI's activities to encourage more people to participate in reuse.

Engaged in Recycling Since 2010

According to the feature page of ReMUJI, the company has been involved in clothing recycling since 2010. The initiative started with the participation in the 'FUKU-FUKU Project' (now renamed 'BRING').

Initially, MUJI participated in this 'FUKU-FUKU Project' and collected its own textile products like clothing, sheets, and towels. Today, not only clothing but also the collection of toner and emulsion bottles and plastic storage items are being performed.

Many people must have seen the collection boxes at the stores, like the one below. For differentiation from other companies, they also collect paper hangers, with separate collection boxes prepared for each project.

Tomura remembers the insights gained precisely because they were collecting products for recycling and reuse.

"We receive a lot of items from customers who have worn them carefully. There are few items with big stains, but a lot with small spots or faded colors. Among them, there are clothes that are in condition without damage or fading.

"Small spots and fading are re-dyed, and wearable items are cleaned again. We sort them according to the degree of damage (tears, fraying, color fading), and those that can be worn with some work are reused, and those that cannot be worn are recycled."

Japanese Traditional Indigo

As Tomura says, it's desirable that each of the collected clothing items is recycled or reused in the most suitable way.

But what should be done for reuse? The answer was in traditional Japanese dyeing. The ReMUJI feature page states, "Japan has a long history of treasuring fabric to the end, by re-dyeing, combining cloths, and reinforcing with stitches."

There must have been many consumers struck by this statement. There were times when we could not buy things freely. In such times, clothes were sewn when torn, reinforced with patches when worn out. One would look back nostalgically on the fact that the process of refilling cotton futons also originated from this trend.

"The reason we chose the indigo color is that it was widely loved by everyone from daimyos to commoners in the Edo period," says Tomura, and one could feel the spirit of cherishing traditional customs.