airCloset, Inc.
airCloset, Inc.
's cases
Basic values and policies for initiatives towards circular economy
In realizing the SDGs and the circular economy, we believe that it is important for consumers to be able to enjoy the benefits naturally in their daily lives, rather than endure and overreach. Based on this belief, we are developing “airCloset,” a monthly fashion rental service, and “airCloset Mall,” a service that allows customers to try out furniture and home appliances before purchasing, as a sharing model that circulates resources. Through these services, we propose new options for sustainable consumption and contribute to the transition from a linear economy to a circular economy.
We also aim to accelerate the promotion of the circular economy in Japanese society by providing other companies with a logistics structure specialized in rental and sharing as a platform to support circular businesses.
Market opportunities and our strengths in circular business
In 2015, we launched “airCloset,” Japan's first fashion rental service specializing in everyday clothes, creating a new market for “fashion rental of everyday clothes. The fashion industry is a market that is characterized by mass production, mass consumption, and a lack of quality.
In the fashion industry, mass production and mass disposal are becoming an issue, and a shift to a circular economy is required. In addition, the development of an ultra-information society has made it increasingly difficult to find the goods and information one truly needs. Against this social backdrop, we have established a system that allows customers to naturally make sustainable choices through encounters with a large number of clothing items for rent. In addition, by delivering clothes selected by professional stylists, we reduce the time and effort spent on shopping and provide an opportunity to enjoy fashion without changing one's lifestyle, even in the midst of a busy life.
In a demonstration project with the Ministry of the Environment, “airCloset” was estimated to “reduce CO2 emissions by 19%” and “curb waste emissions by 27%” compared to the conventional sales model, and by reselling, reusing, and recycling, it has also realized zero waste of garments handled in the business.
In addition, we have established a unique logistics management system (WMS) that supports the cyclical logistics functions necessary for rental and sharing, including returns, inspections, cleaning, and repairs. In the operation of our fashion rental service, we have acquired a patent (Patent No. 7105347) for an information processing system that manages all individual rental items using a washable RFID sewn into the garment tag. Our circulating logistics platform can be flexibly adapted to the rental business for a wide range of merchandise, not limited to fashion. It also supports the provision of services on an individual functional basis, such as cleaning and maintenance. This allows us to support recycling-oriented businesses in a variety of areas and contribute to the realization of a sustainable society.
Setting indices/targets
The fashion rental service “airCloset” is estimated to contribute to the environment per user in terms of “CO2 emission reduction: approx. 26 kg-CO2 (per year)” and “waste emission reduction: approx. 2.5 kg (per year)” (*). Therefore, with a target of 42,000 members at the end of the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, we aim to “reduce CO2 emissions by approximately 1,092,000 kg-CO2” and “curb waste emissions by approximately 105,000 kg” through the use of fashion rentals per year.
(*From the Ministry of the Environment's “Report on Commissioned Demonstration and Verification Work for the Promotion of the Construction of Decarbonized 2R Businesses Utilizing Digital Technology in FY2022”)