Tokyo-based historical soft drink manufacturer Ito En’s latest product is not some healthy green tea, but used tea leaf envelopes tailored to businesses.
Available in two sizes, these greenish envelopes are developed in conjunction with technology company Lintec and Osaka-based Imura Envelope. Companies who want to promote a low-carbon lifestyle will be able to purchase the tea leaf envelopes soon.
Prior to the tea leaf envelopes, Ito En had developed a string of various products made from used tea leaves such as facial blotting paper, construction materials and resin products.
Tea Leaf Stationery
Japan to Sell Tea Leaf Envelopes From Old Tea Leaves by Ito En
Trend Themes
1. Sustainable Packaging - Ito En's innovative tea leaf envelopes made from used tea leaves could lead the way to a new trend in sustainable packaging.
2. Circular Economy - The use of tea leaves to create various products before reaching its end-of-life demonstrates the potential of the circular economy to reduce waste in industries.
3. Green Marketing - The tea leaf envelopes allow companies to promote a low-carbon lifestyle, indicating a growing trend towards green marketing.
Industry Implications
1. Paper and Pulp - The development of green envelopes from used tea leaves by Lintec and Imura Envelope could disrupt the paper and pulp industry by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional envelopes.
2. Cosmetics - The use of tea leaves for facial blotting paper in Ito En's product line presents an opportunity for the cosmetics industry to innovate its products by using sustainable and natural materials.
3. Construction Materials - Ito En's resin products made from tea leaves demonstrate that the construction materials industry has the potential to recycle organic waste and provide innovative building materials.