Event Announcement: Experience Creating Eco-Friendly Socks for Elementary School Students at Togoshi Environmental Learning Center in July-August

Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo; Branch President and Director: Ryota Takahashi), the Japanese subsidiary of one of the largest sock manufacturing and distribution companies in the United States, will jointly host an event titled 'Experience Creating Eco-Friendly Socks' for elementary school children with the Togoshi Environmental Learning and Exchange Facility (Ecoru Togoshi) on July 4 (Sat) and August 29 (Sat), 2026. This program allows children to create one-of-a-kind original socks by transferring their own designs onto socks. Furthermore, since the socks are produced using environmentally conscious manufacturing methods, families can also discuss environmental issues together through this activity.

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Event Overview

・Event Name: Experience Creating Eco-Friendly Socks!

・Dates and Times:

(Design Workshop) July 4, 2026 (Sat) – Session 1: 10:00–11:30, Session 2: 13:00–14:30

(Sock Delivery Event) August 29, 2026 (Sat) – 11:15–12:30

・Target Audience: Elementary school students and their guardians – 40 pairs per session

・Instructor: Ryota Takahashi (Branch President and Director, Renfro Japan Co., Ltd.)

・Venue: Ecoru Togoshi (https://ecoru-togoshi.jp/)

Background of the Event

As part of our CSR initiatives, we have continuously hosted workshops titled 'Designer Experience,' allowing children to collaborate with our designers to turn their ideas into tangible products. This provides them with the joy and excitement of creation, as well as a meaningful connection to society. The apparel industry has long faced challenges related to environmental issues, such as mass production and mass consumption. The sock manufacturing method used in this event employs inkjet printing technology via a machine called 'GINGA.' By adopting this method, we can now produce as few as one pair—something impossible with traditional methods that required large lots of 1,000 pairs or more—while significantly reducing energy and water consumption during production. This initiative aims to instill in children both the joy of creation and awareness of eco-friendly practices.

What is the Eco-Friendly Printing Technology 'GINGA'?

'GINGA' is an inkjet printing technology that directly prints designs onto white socks, eliminating the need for traditional yarn dyeing processes.

This method reduces the massive water usage and dye wastewater associated with yarn dyeing, thereby lowering environmental impact. While conventional knitted socks made with dyed yarn require large-scale production due to manufacturing constraints, GINGA enables on-demand production of even a single pair, minimizing waste. It represents a next-generation sock manufacturing technology that combines high-definition printing with sustainability.

Registration here

For Media Inquiries

If you are interested in covering this event, please contact our PR department with the following information:

※The event will be held over two days: the workshop on July 4 (Sat) will feature the 'Socks Design Experience,' and the event on August 29 (Sat) will be the 'Socks Delivery Ceremony.'

・Media outlet name

・Contact person's name

・Number of attendees

・Preferred date and time (Morning only / Afternoon only / Full day on 7/4, 8/29 only, or both days)

・Filming method (Video / Photography)

・Request for participant interviews (Yes/No)

・Contact information

Application to: Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. PR Department Email: [email protected]

Deadline: June 30, 2026 (Mon) 18:00

Media Coverage Opportunities

・Participants designing their socks

∟ Children concentrating on drawing, parents observing, moments when children show their finished designs, etc.

・Participant comments

∟ e.g., 'What kind of socks do you think it will become?' (Only with consent)

・Explanatory comments from our staff

∟ About the purpose of the event and our eco-conscious manufacturing initiatives

・Explanation of the eco-friendly printing technology 'GINGA'

∟ Introduction to the manufacturing process and mechanism (Simple explanation available)

・Photography of finished products (sample socks) ※Only on August 29

∟ Reactions and impressions from children and parents upon receiving the finished socks

【About Renfro Japan Co., Ltd.】

RENFRO CORPORATION, founded in 1921, is one of the largest sock manufacturing and distribution companies in the United States. Renfro Japan Co., Ltd. is its Japanese subsidiary, established in October 2012.

In Japan's sock industry, which is dominated by long-established companies, we uphold the corporate philosophy 'We are Game Changer / We change the world from the ground up,' continuously striving to innovate and challenge the status quo without being bound by traditional rules or past experiences.

【Company Overview】

Company Name: Renfro Japan Co., Ltd.

Head Office: 3F, Tennozu First Tower, 2-2-4 Higashi-Shinagawa, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo

Representatives: Susan C. Beverud (President and Director)

Corina A. Norris (President and Director)

Branch President and Director: Ryota Takahashi

Founded: October 2012

Capital: 50 million JPY

Business: Manufacturing and sales of socks and knitted apparel