Renewing the "REDUCE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" to Foster a Vibrant Forest | UNITED ARROWS

UNITED ARROWS

Renewing the "REDUCE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" to Foster Vibrant Forests

Support "LIFE311" with Your Reusable Bag

UNITED ARROWS has been donating to forest conservation groups when customers bring their own bags for shopping.more treesStarting June 1st, this initiative will be renewed to support the "LIFE311" project by more trees, which promotes forest conservationGreat East Japan Earthquakeand aids the disaster-stricken areas.

Text by YANAKA Tomomi

A Donation of 10 Yen for Each Refused Shopping Bag

UNITED ARROWS launched the "REDUSE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" in 2008 to cultivate vibrant forests alongside shoppers. Previously, for every time a customer declined a shopping bag, 5 yen was donated to projects run by more trees, a forest conservation organization headed by Ryuichi Sakamoto. Last year, a total of 162,115 people participated, contributing 810,575 yen towards the development of healthy forests.

This initiative is being renewed from June 1st. The donation recipient will shift toGreat East Japan Earthquakethe "LIFE311" project by more trees, which aims to create local employment and support disaster-stricken areas by constructing temporary housing using local timber and installing pellet stoves (stoves that use wood pellets, made from compressed sawdust and other wood materials, as fuel).

"LIFE311" is a project realized through the collaboration of more trees with Rikuzentakata City, which suffered severe tsunami damage, and Sumita Town, an area known for its thriving forestry. Currently, 93 temporary housing units have been completed and are occupied primarily by residents who lived in Rikuzentakata City. More trees is seeking a total of 300 million yen in support to cover construction costs and other expenses, and has so far raised approximately half, around 156 million yen.

UNITED ARROWS will now donate 10 yen per use of a personal bag to "LIFE311." Additionally, the "REDUSE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" webpage has been revamped, featuring an illustration depicting Sumita Town and providing detailed information about the program.

Furthermore, a campaign will run in stores and on Twitter from June 1st to June 30th. During this period, the first 20,000 customers who bring their own bags will receive a deodorizing hook made from thinned Hinoki cypress wood, known for its deodorizing, insect-repelling, and humidity-regulating properties. Also, for every tweet about "REDUSE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" on Twitter, UNITED ARROWS will donate 10 yen to "LIFE311."

The new "REDUSE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" allows for simultaneous forest conservation and disaster relief support through simple actions. By engaging with something as familiar as a shopping bag, it offers an opportunity to reflect on disaster-stricken areas, the environment, and forests.

Participating Stores
A total of 149 stores nationwide including UNITED ARROWS, BEAUTY & YOUTH UNITED ARROWS, UNITED ARROWS green label relaxing, Another Edition, The Airport Store UNITED ARROWS, and UNITED ARROWS OUTLET (as of June 2012)

How to Participate in Twitter for more trees "LIFE311"
1. Log in and follow the official UNITED ARROWS Twitter account (@unitedarrowsltd).
2. Click the tweet button on the "REDUSE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" webpage. The comment and URL will automatically appear, so tweet as is.

UNITED ARROWS Customer Service
0120-011-031
(10:00 AM - 6:30 PM, excluding Saturdays, Sundays, and year-end/New Year holidays)
http://www.united-arrows.co.jp/special/rsba ("REDUCE SHOPPING BAG ACTION" Webpage)