Yomigaeri: Recycled Work Gloves Made Primarily from Used Clothing Fibers

“Yomigaeri” is a specially spun glove whose main raw material is recycled fibers from collected used clothing. They are manufactured by Nakano Co., Ltd., which fosters safe and healthy working environments through recycling and supplying work gear.

Founded in 1934 as a waste‑textile wholesaler collecting used fabrics and fibers, Nakano has long been engaged in building a textile collection and circulation system by manufacturing and selling regenerated fiber materials, wiping cloths, and work gloves made from recycled fibers, as well as exporting high‑quality secondhand clothes worldwide.

The company calls the wisdom needed to achieve a truly prosperous society where economy and ecology coexist “Ecosophy,” and uses it as an action guideline for its business activities. “Yomigaeri” is part of its Ecosophy line and is sold as one of the idea products that utilizes reclaimed fabric.

This product is on display and for sale at the YOKOHAMA CIRCULAR DESIGN MUSEUM operated by Circular Yokohama.

1. Effective use of discarded clothing and CO₂ reduction

About 70% of the raw material in “Yomigaeri” comes from waste garments collected in Kanagawa Prefecture. In addition to putting discarded clothing to good use, minimizing additional resource input lets the gloves generate only one‑sixth the life‑cycle CO₂ emissions of comparable 100 % cotton gloves. Because the original colors of the garments are used as‑is, there is no need for bleaching or dyeing, which saves water resources and prevents environmental pollution from wastewater. The gloves can also be washed and reused repeatedly.Simply  switching your everyday work gloves to “Yomigaeri” lets you contribute to resource circulation in textile products and to CO₂ reduction without changing your daily routine.

2. Circular design that makes the “after collection” visible

Rather than merely designing and selling a recycled product, Nakano manufactures “Yomigaeri” with the assumption that it can be produced in volume and meet the broad needs of business sites like factories as well as general consumers. Leveraging the know‑how and technology in textile recycling cultivated since its founding in 1934, the company visualizes “what happens after collection” for consumers. This is a good example of circular design that designs the product based on an understanding of the users and the system involved, and communicates its intent and purpose to society as a story.

3. Contributing to local activities and environmental conservation

“Yomigaeri” is actually used in local activities such as clean‑up campaigns, tree‑planting, and student volunteer work. Work gloves born from textile recycling not only contribute to resource circulation but also create a further loop by promoting activities that keep communities clean and protect the environment.