FamilyMart launches used goods collection at Tokyo stores
The pilot program targets clothing reuse and recycling as convenience chain expands waste‑reduction efforts.
FamilyMart has begun collecting used clothing and household goods at select convenience stores in Tokyo, marking a new step in its efforts to reduce waste while increasing store engagement. The initiative is being piloted at around 30 stores located in residential neighborhoods across the capital.
The program is being carried out in collaboration with Bookoff Group, a retailer specializing in second‑hand goods. Collection boxes have been installed inside participating FamilyMart stores, allowing customers to drop off unwanted clothing and everyday items. Bookoff will sort the collected goods, with reusable products resold, including in overseas markets such as Malaysia.
FamilyMart said items that are not suitable for resale will be recycled, with textiles processed into new fibers. The company estimates that expanding the initiative nationwide could help cut clothing waste by roughly 4,000 tons per year.
The project represents the first collaboration since FamilyMart’s parent company, Itochu, entered into a capital partnership with Bookoff Group earlier this year. It also builds on the retailer’s existing sustainability initiatives, including its food drive program currently operating in about 4,900 of the chain’s 16,400 stores nationwide.
According to figures from Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, an estimated 560,000 tons of clothing are discarded annually in Japan, equivalent to around 70% of the volume of new apparel entering the market each year.
Following the initial Tokyo trial, FamilyMart is evaluating a wider rollout as it looks to position convenience stores as accessible hubs for everyday recycling and reuse.
