APAC | Turning everyday actions into lasting impact in Tokyo

Sustainability at Colliers is not only shaped by large-scale commitments, it is often driven by simple, practical actions that our people can take every day. 

In our Tokyo office, one such initiative is making a meaningful difference. The Loopla Holder program was introduced to reduce plastic waste generated through daily operations, while encouraging a more circular way of working. By collecting and recycling clear plastic folders that are widely used across the office, the team has created a straightforward solution that supports both environmental and social outcomes. 

Rather than treating waste as something to dispose of, the initiative reframes it as a resource. This shift supports better use of materials, reduces reliance on new plastic production and lowers emissions linked to both manufacturing and waste incineration. 

Making sustainability part of the working day 

A key strength of the program is how naturally it fits into everyday work. 

Collection points are permanently installed across the office, making it easy for employees to participate. Recycling is not an occasional activity, but part of the daily routine. To build awareness and maintain momentum, the Tokyo team also ran three office-wide collection campaigns during 2025, helping to reinforce participation across the business. 

Once collected, the plastic folders are processed through Kaunet’s recycling network. This enables a closed-loop system, where materials are transformed into new products without creating additional transport impacts. 

The program also creates value beyond the office. Instead of returning the recycling value to the business, the equivalent amount is donated to MORIUMIUS, an organisation based in Ishinomaki, Miyagi Prefecture, a region that was severely affected by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. MORIUMIUS delivers immersive hands-on learning programmes focused on sustainable living and environmental awareness, while playing an active role in the long-term revitalisation of disaster-affected communities. Through this support, the initiative extends its impact from environmental stewardship to meaningful social contribution. It promotes sustainability education and support ongoing recovery efforts in the region.  

Driving behaviour change 

Like many sustainability initiatives, success depends on people. Encouraging consistent participation required a shift in behaviour, particularly around how materials are sorted and disposed of. The Tokyo team addressed this through ongoing communication and engagement, positioning recycling as something that creates shared value, rather than an additional task. There were also practical considerations. The office needed to allocate space for collection points and manage logistics to ensure materials could be efficiently processed. While the impact of the program is tracked through reporting mechanisms, the full value is realised over time, which can make immediate results less visible. 

A simple idea with wide-reaching impact 

Despite these challenges, the outcomes have been significant. 

The initiative has reduced plastic waste and improved how materials are reused within the office. It has also helped lower emissions by avoiding the need for new plastic production and reducing waste sent for incineration.  

Just as importantly, it has strengthened engagement among our people. By making sustainability visible and actionable, the program has helped embed environmental responsibility into everyday decisions across the team. 

Beyond environmental benefits, the social impact is also clear. Contributions to MORIUMIUS are supporting education programmes that help individuals develop the skills to live more sustainably. 

Built to last 

The Loopla Holder initiative shows how small, scalable actions can deliver meaningful outcomes when they are implemented consistently. 

It reflects how sustainability at Colliers is built into how we operate, from the way we use resources to how we engage with our communities. 

As we continue to embed these practices across our workplaces, initiatives like this play an important role in creating long-term value for our people, our clients and the communities we support.