Kumon Environmental Activities Around the World

The year-on-year overall environmental data for Group companies in Japan for FY2023 showed good results: 94.3% electricity usage, 103.7% paper usage, and 95.3% paper recycling.

KIE promotes environmentally conscious initiatives through learning therapy and Brain Health Centers aimed at dementia prevention and brain health for the elderly. Using paper made from recycled pulp with a whiteness of 70% or more reduces the strain on the eyes of older adults. This paper also contributes to reducing environmental impact and promoting a circular society. Furthermore, transitioning from printed to web-based reports and information dissemination improves operational efficiency while reducing paper usage. These activities contribute to environmental protection and the formation of a sustainable society.

Kumon Publishing reduced the package size of Japan map puzzles by approximately 30% compared to previous versions to contribute to the environment. This has reduced the use of plastic and packaging paper and lowered CO2 emissions during transportation. The company has also reduced paper usage by approximately 18% in its children’s workbook series and Sukusuku Notebook series while maintaining ease of writing, thereby striving to reduce environmental impact. Moreover, by replacing reader survey postcards with QR codes, we strive to contribute to the conservation of paper resources. We will continue to promote environmentally-friendly manufacturing, such as by reviewing and lightening the materials we use.

Environmental data in Japan

By transitioning to this digital learning model, we have reduced paper usage by 80% and saved over 10,000 worksheets each month. The introduction of online meetings and Center operations has reduced travel, leading to a significant reduction in the carbon footprint by eliminating the delivery of learning materials across Canada.

This digitalization reduces environmental impact and increases student convenience. After over a year of effort, the number of students registered for Kumon Connect reached 100% in February 2025.

At KNA, the amount of paper waste generated by offices has significantly decreased in recent years. However, in 2023, more than 82.4 million sets of worksheets were produced, so recycling this paper is extremely important. To address this issue, we have implemented measures such as improving the efficiency of paper recycling using large compactors, actively promoting recycling in offices, and encouraging the reuse of unwanted items. These efforts aim to create Kumon Centers that are more environmentally friendly in terms of resource circulation.

Initiatives by Kumon Australia
With more staff working from home and fewer in the office, the use of dishwashers has decreased. Baskets were installed in sinks to collect rinsed dishes, which led to a reduction in dishwasher use from five days a week to one. This change has resulted in a 20% reduction in electricity and water consumption. Because one cycle consumes approximately 3 kWh, reducing the use from five cycles to one per week results in weekly energy savings of 12 kWh, or 600 kWh annually.

Initiatives by Kumon Vietnam
Kumon Vietnam has implemented measures such as turning off unnecessary lights and electrical appliances outside of working hours and upon leaving the premises, as well as replacing them with energy-efficient bulbs. Furthermore, Kumon Vietnam has established guidelines for optimizing water use and displayed posters promoting hygiene management in common areas. To prevent environmental pollution, the company has prioritized recycling activities, such as reusing paper and installing recycling boxes for used batteries in common areas.

Efforts to Conserve Paper Resources
At our Hong Kong office, paper usage decreased by 19.5% between the second and third quarters of 2024. Paper usage has also decreased by 25% at our Beijing office. In the first quarter of 2025, Kumon Hong Kong’s paper use decreased by 54.4% compared to the same period last year, achieving substantial savings in paper resources. Digitizing internal documents and posting posters, which encourages staff to reconsider printing, has improved their awareness and significantly reduced environmental impacts.

Efforts to Reduce Electricity Consumption
At our Beijing office, we reduced electricity consumption by replacing office equipment with more energy-efficient products during our relocation. The Shanghai office is promoting air circulation with fans to save energy. The Guangdong office is implementing similar energy-saving measures, with staff making efforts to reduce unnecessary consumption by turning off lights and air conditioners. These measures significantly reduce our environmental impact.

The gift straps were made from recycled PET (RPET), a material derived from PET bottles. In addition, our bags, laptop cases, and tablet cases were crafted from recycled cotton and recycled polyester (RPET). These items featured decorative tags with the RPET logo and a bottle-shaped design to raise awareness of the use of recycled materials.

Furthermore, the entire notebook cover is made from Repreve®, a recycled fiber material made from plastic that has flowed into the ocean and from recycled bottles. This promotes the reuse of resources.

We also reduce waste by omitting dates on event banners so that they can be reused at the Instructors Conference in the following years.