Recycled Carton Tote Bags

Meiji Co., Ltd., in collaboration with local partners, has launched an upcycling initiative that transforms used milk cartons into small tote bags branded as 'Milk Bag,' aiming to extend the lifecycle of post-consumer materials while raising awareness of underutilized recycling streams in Japan.

Each Milk Bag is produced using approximately 12 recycled cartons from Meiji’s 900ml 'Oishii Gyunyu' milk, with the material’s natural durability and tear resistance enhanced through a manual softening process that gives it a leather-like texture, resulting in a lightweight yet sturdy product.

Production is carried out by women aged 75 and older through a partnership with Ukiha no Takara, a Fukuoka-based organization known for its “grandma business” initiative, which creates flexible employment opportunities for senior women while supporting community engagement and income generation. The bags are currently being introduced via a crowdfunding platform.

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