Since 2010, SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) has been using high-quality paper shopping bags with a plastic finish at its ‘SoftBank’ stores and other retail outlets. The luxurious white bags displaying the ‘SoftBank’ logo have been a common sight around Japan, and since the ‘Y!mobile’ communications brand was launched by SoftBank in 2014, ‘Y!mobile’ retail outlets used a glossy red shopping bag with their namesake logo.
As part of its efforts to reduce its environmental impact, from the end of March 2024, SoftBank has been switching to shopping bags made of 100% recycled paper materials at outlets in Japan that offer ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ branded communication services.
By phasing out the approximately 6.5 million paper shopping bags with plastic coatings used annually and replacing them with ones made from 100% recycled paper material, SoftBank expects it can reduce its plastic usage by approximately 55.8 tons, and its carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 67.8 tons. The move follows SoftBank’s other initiatives to safeguard the environment, including switching from plastic bags to bioplastic ones to hold leaflets and certain products. With this initiative SoftBank will continue to work toward the realization of a recycling-based society.
New designs feature animal mascots "Otousan" and "Futenyan"
With the change in materials, SoftBank is also switching to vegetable oil ink and new designs to complement the texture and feel of the recycled paper material. The designs feature illustrations of "Otousan" and "Futenyan," the animal mascots that appear in commercials for ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ services, respectively. These designs convey the quality of the ‘SoftBank’ and ‘Y!mobile’ brands while expressing a sense of fun and consideration for the environment simultaneously.
“Otousan” (left) and “Futenyan” (right) adorn the new bags made of recycled paper
For the redesign process, SoftBank received design submissions from both inside and outside the company, and a design created by SoftBank employee Mari Hasegawa was chosen. When asked about the design concept, she said, “I aimed to create a shopping bag that everyone would want to have, and one that’s simple yet appealing, with only white ink.”
Customers are encouraged to bring their own bags when they visit retail outlets, but they now have a more sustainable option if they need one.
SoftBank’s Sustainability
To contribute to a sustainable society and achieve sustainable growth at the same time, SoftBank has identified six material issues, with the concept of “a world where all things, information, and minds are connected.”
Learn more here.
(Posted on April 17, 2024)
by SoftBank News Editors
