Tsuchiya Kaban has entered the reuse business, offering to take back old leather bags free of charge, repair them by artisans, and resell them. In the future, the company will designate periods each year for accepting products, and sell the repaired items for a limited time in stores. An after-sales service system, including the same return policy and repair services as for new products, has also been established.

Tsuchiya Kaban has launched a reuse business that carefully repairs used products by artisans, restores their condition, and passes them on to the next owner for extended use. This service is offered as a way to fulfill the UN's SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals) of "responsible consumption and production" together with users.

Tsuchiya Kaban conducted test marketing for its reuse business in 2021. During a one-month collection period, the company received 580 bags, far exceeding its target of 100, and resold 150 of them.

Among those who used the take-back service, some expressed joy, saying, "I'm truly happy to think that my former beloved item has been reborn by an artisan's hand and will be cherished by someone else." Buyers also commented, "I'm delighted to have purchased a bag with such a wonderful, aged character."

As a result, the reuse business has become a continuous annual initiative. The collected products are meticulously repaired and maintained by artisans specializing in reuse at the workshop in Nishi-Arai, Tokyo. This includes disassembly and reassembly, as well as leather care such as cleaning, conditioning, and recoloring, depending on the bag's condition. Repairs also cover interior lining replacement, fixing damaged parts like zippers, and mending loose stitching.

This year, product collection will be accepted in-store at 14 stores nationwide and via prepaid shipping over two months: June and October 2022. Sales will be held twice, in September and December 2022, at pop-up stores in Tokyo and Osaka.

Furthermore, from 2023 onwards, the company plans to expand the scope of reusable products beyond bags to include smaller items such as wallets and key cases.

The selling price is capped at half the original retail price and includes the same return policy and repair services as new products. Those who provide bags will receive a 20% discount coupon, usable for purchasing adult bags at all stores and online, for each bag collected.

This is Tsuchiya Kaban's approach to upcycling. In the future, the company plans to hire and train artisans specializing in repair and remaking, and consider not only reuse but also remake and in-store repair services, creating an environment where Tsuchiya Kaban products can be used for longer.