Coco&K.

Coco&K. sells lovely and eco-minded bags up-cycled from fruit juice packages.

The project of up-cycling fruit juice packages was initially ran by the Kilus Foundation, a Non-Governmental Organization that is working on environmental issues in the Philippines. Coco&K. is Japan’s official agency and imports its bags and other products. Those products are currently available in 12 countries, such as Japan, the US, the UK, and Denmark.

Coco&K. bags are made from reused aluminum fruit juice cartons. The combination of shapes, colors, designs, and logos builds its vivid, bright, and unique colors.

Coco&K. has been supporting the Kilus Foundation since 2002 and is the only official agency in Japan. Coco&K. won the 5th Social Products Award in the International Category of the Social Products Promotion Association.

Behind the creation of these products are the environmental, employment, and education issues. In the Philippines, child labor among the poor is a growing problem.By collecting juice packs and manufacturing recycled products such as bags and sandals, the city is cleaned up and new jobs for women are created. By earning income through the production of these products, many children who were previously unable to attend school are now able to do so.

In addition, illegal dumping of aluminum packs as a source of pollution of rivers and soil has become a social problem in the Philippines. By converting garbage into resources, they are contributing to waste reduction and educating the local community about environmental improvement.

Coco&K. imports fairtrade products so that the locals work safely and receive a fair wage. They trades with the Kilus Foundation constantly to support creating a society where people in the Philippines can live independently as well.

1. Upcycling discarded aluminum juice packages

They collect consumed juice packages, defective products, and failed prints and turn them into products by adding new value to what would otherwise be discarded. In addition, recycling garbage into resources helps raise the environmental awareness of locals. This excellent circular business model pursues to create good impacts for the environment and society.

2. Creating new jobs and supporting children’s education

In the Philippines, child labor caused by poverty is one of the social issues. The process of up-cycling aluminum packages helps the local women and its children. The women can earn their income through the commitment of the Kilus Foundation work, and their children can go to school. In this way, Coco&K. contributes to the well-being of the locals.

3. Good fairtrade model

Coco&K. trades directly with the local community and continuously buys products at fair prices to protect the safe working environment for the locals. Coco&K.’s business model is an excellent example of a transparent supply chain system and realizes a sustainable community.