Hands-on workshops to learn about ocean environmental issues at "THE OCEAN SDGS FILM FESTIVAL 2024".

June 8, 2024

Hands-on workshops to learn about ocean environmental issues at "THE OCEAN SDGS FILM FESTIVAL 2024".

ZOZO cooperated with "THE OCEAN SDGS FILM FESTIVAL 2024" organized by "THE OCEAN SDGS FILM FESTIVAL 2024" Executive Committee and held the "SDGs Workshop with ZOZO" at the Annex Terrace of United Nations University on Saturday, June 8, 2024.

The apparel industry and ocean environmental issues are closely related. For example, the production process of apparel products consumes a large amount of water, and washing clothes causes fibers to fall out and some of those flow into the ocean as microplastics. As a company that handles apparel products, we held a workshop for "making original T-shirts" using UpDRIFTⓇ T-shirts (*1) made from plastic bottles collected overseas and elsewhere, with the aim of making people aware of these issues and our environmental conservation efforts.

Participants commented that they had never thought that clothing had anything to do with ocean issues, and that they were glad to have learned something and had good memories.

In addition to the workshops, we also exhibited upcycled items made from marine debris and recycled beads.

All proceeds from the workshop will be donated to "NPO Bridge for Marine Environmental Education" a non-profit organization that fosters human resources with an awareness of environmental conservation based on empathy for marine life and a full understanding of the joys and attractions of marine nature. We plan to continue this kind of activity and stakeholder support in the future.

We will continue to work together with our stakeholders contribute to sustainable community development through these activities and interactions with them.

(*1) UpDRIFT®️ is an initiative launched in April 2021 by the lifestyle proposing trading company, Toshima Inc. It involves recycling PET bottles collected from coastlines and other areas, and reviving them as environmentally friendly new products.

Workshop Contents

Making original T-shirts
A small-lecture was held to let participants know about the relationship between fashion and the ocean and our company's initiatives (*2).
Afterwards, we printed their drawings or favorite photos on UpDRIFTⓇ T-shirts.

(*2) Beach cleanups and progging are regularly held to protect the ocean and local environment. Recycled plastic bottles and bottle caps collected are turned into textiles and buttons for commercialization

Making bead straps
Beads made from discarded fishing nets and plastic bottle caps collected at beaches are used to make straps

Quiz to learn about fashion and ocean environmental issues

Marine Litter Exhibit
Exhibits such as discarded fishing nets and marine PET bottle litter explain what kind of litter has washed ashore in Japan's oceans