Cresava Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato City, Tokyo) has begun full-scale operations of its “CIRCULAR FARM” technology, which recycles unwanted clothing into resources. In partnership with Landeo Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Tomakomai City, Hokkaido), Cresava aims to address Japan’s annual clothing waste of 500,000 tons and move toward a sustainable society.
From “Disposing” to “Returning to the Earth”
With approximately 500,000 tons of clothing discarded annually in Japan, Cresava Co., Ltd. has developed a new recycling model called “CIRCULAR FARM,” which transforms unwanted clothing into resources. The technology allows for the collection of clothing without the need for sorting, using automated systems to remove accessories such as zippers and buttons before shredding and pulverizing the materials. These are then processed in proprietary carbonization equipment to safely decompose harmful substances found in synthetic fibers, producing carbonized material.
This carbonized material is repurposed as a soil conditioner to grow crops, reducing CO2 emissions from clothing disposal by approximately 80% compared to incineration. By transforming discarded clothing into agricultural resources, the technology offers a significant contribution to reducing the environmental impact of the fashion industry.
Through this business collaboration, Tomakomai City in Hokkaido, where Landeo is based, will establish a farm by spring 2025 to grow crops using the soil conditioner derived from carbonized clothing. This initiative will create a new circular model linking “CIRCULAR FARM” technology with regional agriculture.
Cresava aims to expand its processing capacity to 50,000 tons annually by 2028, equivalent to 10% of Japan’s annual clothing waste. The company plans to strengthen partnerships with local governments and corporations to establish this recycling system as an everyday infrastructure, ultimately contributing to building a sustainable society.