First “CHOICE! ZERO WASTE AWARD” Certified Products Selected! ZERO PC and Upcycled Kariyushi Recognized as Earth-Friendly Products

Team SUTE.lab, comprised of Ishizaka Sangyo Co., Ltd. and Paradox Inc. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Takeyuki Suzuki), has selected the “CHOICE! ZERO WASTE AWARD” certified products from among circular product submissions submitted between April 30 and May 14.

This new award recognizes and certifies circular product sellers (companies) for the sustainability of their production processes and makers. Rather than focusing on human-centered convenience and ease of use, the awards select and introduce earth-friendly products that reduce environmental impact to the general public. The

nominated products’ life cycles (resource extraction, manufacturing, distribution, consumption, recycling, and disposal) were evaluated based on three criteria that take into account their environmental impact: “product circularity,” “sustainable production,” and “integration into lifestyle.” As a result, two products were selected as the inaugural CHOICE! ZERO WASTE AWARD certified products.

The two certified products will be awarded the “CHOICE! ZERO Mark,” which certifies their status as certified products. This mark will clearly highlight that these products, among those in circulation, have been made with the earth in mind , thereby increasing the value of circular products and encouraging general consumers to actively incorporate them into their lives, with the aim of realizing a zero-waste society where waste is no longer waste. The certification and award ceremony

for this award is scheduled for Friday, July 30th.

■Certified products

Company/Brand: Peopleport Co., Ltd.
Product: ZERO PC
Website: https://zeropc.jp/

Evaluation Points:
We collect used computers and, if repairable, refurbish them for sale domestically or export overseas. We maximize product life by reusing long-life parts and replacing core components with new ones. We also recycle all old parts and unrepairable products. Our upcycling factory uses 100% renewable energy and does not use plastic cushioning for packaging, reducing CO2 emissions during recycling. We actively promote transparency by disclosing the companies that accept our products, allowing tours of our upcycling factory, and disclosing the electricity used. Furthermore, through this project, we aim to create a safe and secure workplace for refugees who have fled to Japan and contribute to conflict resolution by circulating the conflict minerals used in computers.

Company/Brand : Rinnovation Co., Ltd.
Product: Upcycle Kariyushi
Website: https://bagasse-upcycle.studio.site/

Evaluation Points:
Rinnovation not only upcycles bagasse, an unused resource (shavings) from sugarcane, but also offers a sharing service to maximize product lifespan and a buyback guarantee for customers who wish to purchase. This recognition recognizes their commitment to taking responsibility for the collection of donated clothing. Furthermore, the company selects suppliers with environmentally friendly practices to build a supply chain. In addition to sharing information between companies, traceability is ensured by embedding IC tags in clothing, allowing consumers to scan the tags and check the supply chain online. Transparency is pursued from materials to manufacturing to collection. Finally, clothing that can no longer be worn is carbonized as a soil conditioner and returned to the sugarcane fields where the bagasse was produced. The company is committed to establishing a circular economy model as the future of the fashion industry.

*Details of certified products will be published on the special website (https://choice-zero.org/) in due course.

■SUTE.lab (Stellab), which promotes zero waste

The “CHOICE! ZERO WASTE AWARD” is a project run by SUTE.lab, a zero-waste initiative in which both companies participate. It was launched with the goal of spreading the value of “choosing not to waste” among consumers. A
 special website will showcase truly zero-waste products that have established unique standards and are conscious of the sustainability of the production process and the makers.
Products that meet the judging criteria will be allowed to use the “CHOICE! ZERO Mark,” which certifies their excellence. This allows consumers to instantly recognize sustainable products and encourages consumers to choose earth-friendly products.



<Reference>
“CHOICE! ZERO WASTE AWARD” Overview
・Application Requirements (Selection Policy): Products must be recyclable and readily available to consumers (including sales channels)
・Special Website: https://choice-zero.org/
・Judging Criteria:
(1) The “recyclability” of the product and its surrounding packaging, including the recyclability of raw materials,
natural origins, and renewable sources, will be evaluated.
(2) Sustainability of production:
Evaluation is based on “sustainability” taking into account the cleanliness of energy consumed in the production process, the perspective of fair trade, the sustainability of the business, and the inheritance of traditional culture.
(3) Permeability to daily life
: Evaluation is based on “permeability” to lifestyles, including the beauty of the design, ease of use, and ideas that make people want to continue using the product.
Upcoming schedule:
July 30: Certification and award ceremony (planned)