■ORGABITS, an organic cotton promotion project that has been around for 18 years
"ORGABITS" is an organic cotton promotion project that started in 2005 with the desire to contribute to the global environment and producers one by one. In order to make it easier for organic cotton to be used and popularized, more than 150 fashion brands have participated to date, producing a cumulative total of more than 11 million items (as of the end of June 2023) with the "reverse idea" of delivering 100 times the number of people with 100% organic cotton to the amount of organic cotton used per piece of clothing, rather than sticking to 100% organic cotton used for a single piece of clothing. Items endorsed by ORGABITS are accompanied by donations to support organic cotton farmers and NPOs, and the circle of social contribution activities that can be participated in on a daily basis through a single piece of clothing is expanding. (ORGABITS official website: http://orgabits.com/)
・Initiatives related to donations
For each product made with ORGABITS, 1 yen is donated to PEACE BY PEACE COTTON, a general incorporated foundation that supports cotton farmers in India. In addition, for each collaborative product with brands participating in the project, 10 yen is donated to NPOs and charitable organizations that are active in various fields such as the environment, welfare, support for developing countries, and reconstruction in Japan and overseas.
This time, approximately 4 million yen, part of the sales of approximately 1 million project products sold from July 2022 to June 2023, will be donated to a total of 10 organizations. Donations will be used to fund the activities of each organization.
This year, the 12th year since 2012, the total amount of donations has reached 66,173,440 yen.
In the future, "ORGABITS" will continue to aim to expand the circle of "little good things" with the cooperation of various organizations.
・What is organic cotton?
Organic cotton is cotton grown organically on farmland that does not use pesticides and chemical substances that affect the environment and living organisms for more than three years according to the standards of organic farming methods in each country. The use of organic cotton helps protect the livelihoods of the people involved in the production and the environment such as the land where cotton is grown. Believing that choosing organic cotton is the first step toward a sustainable society, TOYOSHIMA aims to popularize organic cotton.
〈Breakdown of donations〉
■List of projects and donation breakdown in 2023
・Peace by Peace Cotton Project (PEACE BY PEACE COTTON)
Organic cotton products are sold with a fund. The collected donations are used to promote organic cotton, such as supporting organic cotton farmers in India and supporting their return to school.
・Project to bring smiles to hospitalized children (Certified Nonprofit Organization Japan CliniClowns Association）
This is a project in which CliniClowns (clinical clowns) regularly visit the hospital rooms of children who are hospitalized and support their growth through play and conversation.
・Borneo Conservation Project (NPO Borneo Conservation Trust Japan)
Borneo's rich biodiversity has been drastically reduced by overexploitation of oil palm plantations. By protecting the remaining rainforests and ecosystems, we will create a future where wild animals and humans can live together.
・LOOM SAKURA PROJECT (LOOM NIPPON)
LOOM stands for "Love Of Our Motherland".
This is a project in which we combine our love for our hometown and aim to plant cherry trees in Minamisanriku Town, which was severely damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake, and make Minamisanriku Town a famous place for cherry blossoms.
・Girls Project (Plan International Japan)
Through Plan International Japan, this project supports activities to raise the problems of girls in developing countries and acquire the power to live.
・Blue Ocean Project (NPO Japan Sea Turtle Association)
This project not only protects sea turtles, but also conserves marine animals and the seashore environment, and explores and realizes ways to preserve the livelihoods and culture of people living near the coast, fishermen, and people who come into contact with sea turtles.
・Children's Cafeteria Support Project (NPO National Children's Cafeteria Support Center, Musubie)
Under the slogan "More connections," this is a Musubie initiative that aims to create a society where no one is left behind by further expanding and deepening the connections created from the children's cafeteria, which is also a base for multi-generational exchange in the region.
・Project to deliver medical care beyond the reach of medical care (NPO Japan Heart)
This project aims to realize a society in which all people feel "glad to have been born" by delivering medical care to people who cannot receive medical care due to economic circumstances or social factors. We provide free surgery activities in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos, support activities in disaster-stricken areas in Japan, and outing support for children facing childhood cancer and their families.
・Refugee Support Project (NPO Association for Aid and Relief)
AAR Japan is an international NGO that was established in Japan in 1979 to support refugees. This project supports the lives and futures of refugees in Ukraine, Syria, Africa, and other countries through food and educational assistance.
・Project to deliver water, toilets, and sanitation to developing countries (NPO WaterAid Japan)
By providing clean water, hygienic toilets and proper hygiene habits that are essential for healthy and dignified lives, we will improve the lives of the world's poorest and marginalized people.
