2023.05.24

Utilizing Industrial Waste Uniforms as a New Resource: "Chikuma no Loop"

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Not only students but also companies frequently wear uniforms. They signify a sense of unity in the company and often symbolize specific job roles. These uniforms are commonly provided by the company.

What happens to uniforms that become unwearable due to age or are returned by employees who have resigned? You might think they are discarded as general waste, but actually, company uniforms are treated as industrial waste.

Because the handling differs from regular clothing, a specialized recycling system for uniforms is necessary. This is where Chikuma & Co., Ltd., known as "Uniform means Chikuma," comes into play.

The company's initiative, "Chikuma no Loop," is a recycling system centered around uniforms and is gaining attention as a new environmental conservation effort. This time, we interviewed Masahito Yamashita from the Marketing Department and Naohiro Nakamura from the Environmental Promotion Office about this recycling project.

PROFILE

Masahito Yamashita

Chikuma & Co., Ltd. Uniform Business Division Marketing Department Manager

Born in 1984, joined the company in 2007. After working in the Sales Department and Planning Department, he was assigned to the Marketing Department this fiscal year. He considers "sustainability" as a keyword and thinks daily about solving the challenges of those who create and wear uniforms.

PROFILE

Naohiro Nakamura

Chikuma & Co., Ltd. Environmental Promotion Office Environmental Project Manager

Joined Chikuma & Co., Ltd. in 1989. After working in the Planning Department of the Uniform Business Division and the Campus Business Division, he has been working in the current position since 2017.

Acceptance of Western Culture & World Expositions

Your company has been in business for 120 years. Are there any stories from the time of its founding?

Yamashita120 years ago, kimonos were still the mainstream in Japan. At the same time, under the influence of Western culture, it was a period of transition to Western clothing. The founder was quick to take note of Western clothing and started importing suit fabrics from Europe to sell domestically.

He either traveled to Europe to make direct purchases or procured fabrics from foreign textile manufacturers who came to Japan for sales. However, strict conditions were imposed on Japanese people who were unfamiliar with Western clothing. Stories remain about how difficult negotiations and significant decisions were required for the founder.

Currently, you focus mainly on uniforms. Where did the turning point from Western clothing occur?

YamashitaMore than 95% of our sales share is in uniforms, and the remaining few percent comes from transactions with Europe that have continued since our founding.

One turning point in terms of market share growth was the 1970 Osaka Expo. At that time, there was a rising demand for uniforms as part of corporate identity strategies. We were able to successfully penetrate that market. We are also looking forward to the 2025 Osaka Expo as another such opportunity.

The Challenges of Producing Uniforms & Workwear

There is a catchphrase, "Uniform means Chikuma." Can you explain this concept?

YamashitaWe pride ourselves on having one of the longest histories in the uniform industry.

We handle uniforms not only for schools and offices but also for police officers, firefighters, and factory workers. Of course, we also provide uniforms for hotel doormen, taxi drivers, train conductors, and nurses, covering a wide range of products.

With the confidence that we can offer the widest range of proposals if you come to us, we promote, "Uniform means Chikuma."

Are there any challenges in handling uniforms?

YamashitaContinuing to create the same product over time is surprisingly challenging.

Clients with long-standing relationships with us request the same uniforms they used 40 years ago. In other words, new employees need the same uniforms as mid-level and veteran employees. This means that the fabric and color must be identical. Such replicability is crucial.

While many newcomers enter this industry, maintaining this level of replicability, price stability, and adapting to changes in production volume is difficult. It often leads to thoughts of "This isn't what we expected."