Key Points
- Japan Airlines (JAL) introduces a year-long clothing rental experiment for travelers to reduce luggage weight and promote sustainable choices.
- Passengers can rent clothes based on season, size, formality, and color scheme, delivered to their accommodation and later collected for recycling.
- The initiative aims to minimize carbon dioxide emissions and aligns with the increasing global concern for sustainable tourism.
Japan Airlines (JAL) is offering a unique opportunity for travelers to lighten their load and reduce their environmental impact. In a year-long experiment launched recently, JAL passengers can now rent clothes upon arrival instead of carrying heavy suitcases. The rental outfits can be chosen based on season, size, formality, and color scheme.
To participate in the scheme, visitors can reserve their clothes up to a month in advance for a two-week period. They can even specify the purpose of their visit to ensure they have the appropriate apparel. JAL designed this initiative to provide travelers with a sustainable choice for their clothing needs.
The rental clothes, which consist of excess stock from retailers and second-hand garments collected by a partner company, will be delivered to the traveler’s hotel or Airbnb accommodation before their arrival. At the end of their stay, the clothes will be collected, cleaned, and recycled.
The pricing structure varies depending on the items chosen. For example, a woman traveling on a business trip during the sweltering Japanese summer can rent five tops and three bottoms, including linen shirts, trousers, and a skirt, for ¥5,000 ($35). On the other hand, a man going on a casual winter trip can rent faded jeans, a hoodie, and a down jacket for ¥7,000.
Dubbed “Any Wear, Anywhere,” this trial scheme is a collaboration between JAL and the trading house Sumitomo, with the aim of promoting sustainable tourism. Over the course of the 13-month experiment, JAL will collect data to assess whether the initiative reduces the overall weight of passengers’ luggage.
The launch of this scheme comes during a period of significant post-pandemic growth in visitors to Japan. In the first three months of 2023, visitors spent an average of ¥50,496 on shopping alone, according to the Japan Tourism Agency. In May, the number of visitors to Japan reached almost 1.9 million, a staggering increase of 1,191% compared to the same month the previous year. Although the figures are still approximately 30% lower than those of 2019, this resurgence in visitor numbers is noteworthy, especially considering the ongoing limitations on exit visas for tourists from mainland China.
The rental clothing system aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by promoting lighter luggage. The website handling the scheme claims that a 10kg reduction in luggage weight can lead to an estimated 7.5kg reduction in CO2 emissions, equivalent to not using a hairdryer for 78 days. This sustainable approach aligns with the growing global concern for reducing carbon footprints.
JAL’s “Any Wear, Anywhere” experiment offers an innovative solution for travelers seeking convenience and sustainability. By renting clothes on arrival, passengers can travel light, minimize their environmental impact, and contribute to the promotion of sustainable tourism.
