[Unifirst Co., Ltd.] Wearing eco-friendly wearable eco bags developed in-house Conducted the 8th “Marine Litter Zero Week” cleanup activity Contributed to the local community and improved environmental awareness Created a sense of unity and made proposals Also helps increase strength September 20th
Unifirst Co., Ltd. Press release: September 26, 2024 Wearing eco-friendly, wearable eco-bags developed in-house. Conducted the 8th “Marine Litter Zero Week” cleanup campaign. Contributed to the local community and raised environmental awareness. Helped to foster a sense of unity and improve proposal capabilities. September 20th
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/53607/30/53607-30-17860757abb6d3a4148352092a63f4bb-750×562.jpg In the lingering heat of over 30 degrees Celsius, 40 employees worked hard to clean the area, even though they were drenched in sweat. The amount of garbage we picked up this time was the equivalent of four 70L garbage bags, and it seemed like there were more plastic bottles and empty cans than usual. Participating employees said, “The community cleanup was also an opportunity to deepen communication both within and outside the company,” and “Carrying out the cleanup as a team gave me a sense of solidarity with my colleagues in a way that was different from my normal work.” “Through the cleaning
activities, I became more aware of environmental protection and felt like I was contributing to the local community.” “Actually using the eco-bags developed in-house deepened my understanding of the products.” “Products developed in-house that are environmentally friendly.” We received many positive comments, such as, “It made me feel proud to be an employee by participating in cleaning activities while wearing one.” Continuing to carry out cleaning activities like this not only increases employees’ environmental awareness, but also strengthens teamwork and communication. Furthermore, by experiencing a contribution to the local community, the employees’ pride in the company and motivation increased, as well as a deeper understanding of CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility). ■A familiar piece from cleaning activities turned into a masterpiece of suggested items
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/53607/30/53607-30-b3516821c77322e5cefab2bddffacff0-750×562.jpg In addition to regular sizes, larger sizes are also available The “Wearable Eco Bag,” a self-developed product worn by employees during local cleanup activities, is an eco-friendly 2-way product that has a zipper on the bottom, making it a bag when closed and a wearable bag when opened. . It was developed by our company and has obtained a utility model patent. When employees actually use the product during cleaning activities, they can experience the functionality and comfort of the product, and develop a sense of attachment to it. This experience gives employees great confidence when proposing products to customers. Because we actually use the product and know its value, our proposals are filled with enthusiasm and become more persuasive. As a result, proposals based on such real-life experiences are more likely to resonate with customers and lead to building relationships of trust. The “familiar clothing” created through cleaning activities becomes an important tool for companies to increase sales. By actually experiencing the products, employees themselves play the role of “ambassadors for the products developed in-house.” Additionally, the “wearable eco bags” with the “Zero Marine Litter Week” design worn during the cleanup activities were made of polyester material, so many participants were sweaty in the hot weather. From this experience, we have come up with suggestions for improving the material, such as “It would be great to have a mesh type eco bag that can be worn in the summer.” Furthermore, we are constantly evolving, including using REPREVE(R) Our Ocean, a recycled fiber that can help reduce marine plastic waste, in our fabrics, and adding larger sizes to meet the needs of sports teams. We continue to achieve this. ■Five year history of “wearable eco bags”
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/53607/30/53607-30-dad080560bb434f9e0f42d7a50c59b1d-1600×800.jpg “Wearable eco bag” developed in-house The “Wearable Eco Bag” was unveiled for the first time at the in-house exhibition “UNIFAST 2019: SPORTS” held on the second floor of our company from May 22nd (Wednesday) to May 24th (Friday), 2019. We obtained a utility model patent on July 9, 2019, and began accepting orders in October of the same year. Despite the overall slump in the sports-related industry due to the coronavirus pandemic, sales continue to be strong. The total number of orders to date has reached approximately 145,000 pieces. Although this product was originally developed for use in watching sports, it has also been adopted by major companies for employee volunteer activities because it provides a sense of camaraderie and unity and is also environmentally friendly.
Furthermore, in line with our company’s management philosophy of contributing to society through “creation”, in 2021, we will be using the “Wearable Eco Bag” as a uniform for employee cleanup volunteer activities to coincide with “Zero Marine Litter Week”. We created the “Zero Week” design. There have been multiple cases in which the experience of participating in garbage pickup near the company while wearing a wearable eco-bag has been incorporated into sales
negotiations, gaining sympathy from customers and leading to product orders.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/53607/30/53607-30-5e54ffa4f339e9aa89367bb1bf85d9ee-649×657.jpg “Wearable eco bag” made from marine debris Furthermore, starting in 2023, we will meet customers’ latent needs and offer more
environmentally friendly products through a collaboration between wearable eco bags and REPREVE(R) Our Ocean, a recycled fiber made from marine plastic waste. We are making it even stronger. “Wearable eco bags” are more than just a product, they have become a symbolic item that promotes environmental protection and social contribution. Through continuous innovation and appropriate response to customer needs, we expect further growth and social impact in the future. Going forward, our company will continue to work on environmental
conservation and community contributions, while at the same time fulfilling our responsibility as a manufacturing industry to society by manufacturing products that contribute to solving environmental issues, improving our ability to develop environmentally friendly products, and increasing corporate value. I aim for it. We will play a role in contributing to society through our business activities. About Unifirst Co., Ltd. A company that gives form to what we want to create, a company that contributes to society through creation Established in 1981. “Create products with unprecedented new value and provide people all over the world with the joy, happiness, and satisfaction of realizing what they want to create.” “Develop in harmony with society through unique corporate activities.” Our management mission is “Aiming to achieve the goal of the future,” and we provide high-quality manufacturing through our unique planning capabilities and production system. Became a pioneer in the field of bags, pouches, and stuffed animals. In recent years, we have focused on environmentally friendly manufacturing and strengthened our product development system for companies interested in SDGs. With production bases in Japan, China, and Vietnam, we handle all OEM goods for various domestic industries. Company name: Unifirst Co., Ltd. Representative: Representative Director and President Atsushi Hashimoto Address: Unifirst Building, 3-4-3 Asakusabashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo TEL: 03-3865-5031 Established date: February 13, 1981 Capital: 98 million yen URL: https://www.unifast.co.jp/ Business details: 1: “All-in-one OEM service” from planning to delivery of original company goods and merchandise items 2: Development of idea products and own brand items related to SDGs/ESG 3: SP work related to corporate promotion support and in-store sales promotion