Marui Introduces New Carbon Neutral Business Shirts

Marui Group Co., a large Japanese retailer, has launched a new line of eco-friendly business shirts on February 16, 2009. Sold under its private brand "Visaruno," the shirts are labeled with a carbon footprint--which is already offset by carbon credits purchased by the retailer.

Marui is the only apparel retailer currently participating in the Study Group for Developing and Promoting a Carbon Footprint Program, which was initiated by Japan's Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry in 2008. The retailer had been moving forward with the program and had displayed its prototype at the Eco-Products Exhibition in December 2008.

A total of 9,812 grams of carbon dioxide emissions are generated during the lifecycle of the shirt as its carbon footprint, including 571 grams in material procurement and 8,480 grams in the manufacturing process. The retailer purchases emission reduction credits from the REI Agro Wind Farm Project in India through Carbon Offset Japan, a non-profit organization,

The shirts are available at 28 locations, including Marui stores and "Visaruno" shops, for 6,900 yen each (about U.S. $70), including tax. They are also available online.

Ministry to Proceed with Carbon Footprint Program (Related JFS article)
http://www.japanfs.org/en/pages/028738.html

Posted: 2006/06/24 06:00:15 AM