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Pollution Control and Recycling Initiatives

Pollution Control and Recycling Initiatives

12 Responsible Consunmption and Production 15 Life on Land

To hand down limited resources to the next generation

There are concerns about the future depletion of resources since the demand for natural resources is sharply increasing due to the global population increasing every year and the rapid economic growth of emerging nations and developing countries. Without natural resources, we cannot live or carry out business activities. To pass these limited resources down to the next generation and realize a sustainable society, it is important to stop the excessive use of natural resources and ensure the management and use of resources based on a long-term perspective.

FSC certification postcards

FSCロゴマーク入り年賀はがき見本

Japan Post uses FSC® certified paper for its New Year's postcards and regular postcards. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international certification organization that aims to make appropriate forest management ubiquitous. FSC® certification is an international certification system for identifying properly managed forests and products made from forestry products produced in these forests, recycled resources and raw materials from other managed supply sources. FSC certification requires appropriate forest management in all processes from production and processing to distribution based on diverse perspectives, such as the securing of the rights and safety of workers, the construction of good relationships with local communities, the conservation of the rich natural environment and the control of the adverse impact of human activity. Using FSC certified paper enables you to help the world preserve its forests and biodiversity and sustainably use its forest resources.

※In fiscal 2023, all postcards were manufactured using FSC® certified paper.

Promote eco-friendly post offices

Japan Post is proceeding with the setup of +Eco Post Offices to reduce its GHG emissions and promote the carbon neutrality of communities. +Eco Post Offices are environmentally friendly post offices that use cross-laminated timber (CLT)* and renewable energy including generated solar electricity.
For more information, see Promotion of eco-friendly post offices (Japan Post).(Japanese)

*Cross-laminated timber (CLT): Thick panels made by connecting long lumber boards stacked in alternating directions. These panels have excellent strength and heat resistance and emit less CO₂ than concrete or iron.

Promoting the circular economy by utilizing post office bases

Japan Post Capital Co., Ltd. of the Japan Post Group is actively cooperating with start-ups that tackle environmental and social issues, and is promoting efforts to utilize the post office network in this cooperation.
In April 2023, we established permanent collection boxes called "PASSTO," where customers can freely send unwanted items such as clothing, hats, bags, and belts to post offices. Unwanted items posted by post office customers are collected at bases operated by the start-up company ECOMMIT using the post office's delivery network. There, they are sorted for reuse and recycling and eventually sold as new products. Since the start of this initiative, the amount of mail sent to "PASSTO" has increased, and we are planning to expand the number of post offices with collection boxes. As well, Japan Post Capital is also cooperating with start-up services (DROBE, Alice Style, etc.) that develop and promote new business models such as minimal (minimal purchase) and sharing (replacement by rental) in the apparel field. In addition to utilizing the free space in post offices to exhibit and sell, we are also promoting the use of these services by Group employees, and collecting surplus items in cooperation with ECOMMIT.
By reusing (using outlet products), we are promoting a circular economy that utilizes post offices as community bases.
Going forward, we will continue to cooperate with local governments and other organizations as an activity that promotes sustainable consumer behavior among local community members by utilizing the contact points with various people and delivery networks of post offices.

Circular economy efforts using post offices

取り組み相関図 郵便局を不用品の回収拠点として活用。回収、選別から再流通までを、ものが循環する仕組みをつくる循環商社(ECOMMIT)で行い、リユース・リサイクルにより新しい商品として販売。環境・社会の課題に対応するスタートアップ企業(Alice Style・DROBE)とも連携。

Other initiatives

Promoting paperless operations

Yucho Volunteer Savings

Japan Post Bank offers Yucho Volunteer Savings to enable it to provide greater support to people in need of help around the world and to preserve nature.

Yucho Volunteer Savings(Japanese)

Promotion of recycling via the utilization of offices

Some major post offices cooperate with printer manufacturers in the joint collection of used ink cartridges (Ink Cartridges Satogaeri (Homecoming) Project). The post offices collect fire extinguishers and printers for home use.
For more information, see Promotion of recycling utilizing post offices (Japan Post).(Japanese)

Reusing uniforms

Japan Post collects uniforms that aren't being used and dry-cleans and maintains them for reuse to contribute to cost reduction and environment preservation.
For more information, see Reuse of uniforms (Japan Post).(Japanese)

Sale of plastic bags at post offices

Japan Post started to sell new eco-friendly plastic bags in July 2020.
For more information, see Eco-friendly products (Japan Post).(Japanese)

Recycling of the paper used within the Japan Post Group

We store documents used by the companies of the Japan Post Group at a centralized warehouse. We have the paper dissolved by a paper dissolving mill that is partnered with us after the document storage period has elapsed. The dissolved paper is recycled into toilet paper and other products which are used at post offices and other places.
For more information, see Recycling of paper used within the Japan Post Group (Japan Post).(Japanese)

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