Japanese Firm Aims to Achieve Zero Packaging Waste with 'ECO-TURN'

Copyright ASKUL Corporation

ASKUL Corporation, a Tokyo-based total office support service provider, launched a delivery service called ECO-TURN Delivery on April 8, 2009, aiming to reduce packaging materials for product shipment. Under this new service, commodities are delivered in returnable bags and foldable containers, which are collected later by the shipper and reused for another delivery. The service is intended for client companies which make bulk purchases via the Internet service called ASKUL ARENA.

ASKUL has made various eco-friendly efforts, including the use of paper bags for simple packaging and multi-depth cardboard boxes for reducing paper-based cushioning materials. By launching ECO-TURN Delivery, the company is further promoting its green efforts, aiming to completely eliminate unnecessary. The new delivery system will help reduce the recipients' waste generation arising from receiving goods as well as the sender's total consumption of packaging materials.

The company has introduced the service in 10 wards of Tokyo as a first step, aiming to expand it to all of Tokyo's 23 wards by the end of June 2009. By introducing the service into the 23 wards, ASKUL expects to reduce about 200 tons of its packaging materials including cardboard boxes per year. The company is planning to increase the service area to the same-day delivery area in other parts of Japan in the future.

Japanese Firm Promotes Green Procurement of Paper Product (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/026122.html
Askul Corporation official website
http://www.askul.co.jp/kaisya/english/index.html

Posted: 2009/07/10 06:00:15 AM

TAG Material reduction , Non-manufacturing industry