Kumon Environmental Activities Around the World

The year-on-year overall environmental data for Group companies in Japan for FY2025 showed good results: 95.4% electricity consumption, 87.9% paper consumption, and 100.8% paper recycling volume.

Kumon Institute of Education, which supplies KUMON worksheets to classrooms nationwide, is advancing environmentally friendly initiatives at its logistics centers under the slogan, “Supporting Children‘s Motivation Together!“.　At the Tokyo DC, we regularly turn off lights and air conditioners in break rooms and meeting rooms when they are not in use. At the logistic sites, we also separate and recycle waste, and workers use fan-equipped cooling vests to help maintain air conditioners at appropriate temperature settings, contributing to energy conservation. The Kumon　Osaka DC promotes the effective use of resources by reusing cardboard boxes when delivering KUMON worksheets. By changing the methods and frequency of shipments to Hokkaido and Okinawa, we are contributing to both reduced transportation costs and CO2 emissions. Through these initiatives, logistics centers across Japan are working together to reduce environmental impact and promote sustainable business operations.

To reduce paper consumption in its logistics operations, Kumon Publishing is advancing logistics-related digital transformation (DX) initiatives. We have significantly reduced its use of paper resources by replacing paper-based lists used for sorting and shipment verification with digital displays and tablet devices. As product images are displayed on the tablets, visual confirmation has become easier, improving work accuracy. We are also working to eliminate paper delivery slips by advancing data integration with our business partners. Previously, approximately 300 delivery slips were printed and used daily. Through data integration, we now operate using only the essential minimum of one slip. This initiative not only reduces paper usage but also streamlines document management and verification processes. Kumon Publishing will continue to pursue sustainable business operations by advancing initiatives that both protect the environment and improve operational efficiency.

Environmental data in Japan

Cardboard is one item which we recycle in large quantities. Therefore, a cardboard compactor was installed at one of our dock doors. The cardboard compactor, located by a dock door in the Distribution area, compacts the many card board boxes KNA receives for recycling.

In Kumon USA, Green Team members participated in a nature walk at a park near the office in recognition of Earth Day. Observing local wildlife and ecosystems and reflecting on the importance of protecting natural spaces provided an opportunity to think about their importance.

In the summer, we went on an eco-cruise of the Hackensack River, which highlighted the significance of local waterways and reinforced awareness of conservation efforts closer to our headquarters office.

These experiences encouraged participants to think differently about their everyday environmental impact.

Also, the Green Team hosted a sustainability themed trivia event in October. Eco-friendly prize packages were awarded to winners in each of the three trivia categories!

A virtual terrarium workshop in December allowed blending sustainability education with creativity. The workshop emphasized plant care and reusing materials, helping to spread the message of sustainability to a wider audience.

Collaborate digitally：Bring your laptop to meetings and take notes electronically.
Minimize printing：Keep e-reference copies. Use e-forms. Print double-sided, print multi-pages on one page, print in B&W
Energy conservation：Switch off all devices and lightings in the meeting room after your meeting.
Promotion of Reusing：Replace single-use items with reusable alternatives.

We will continue to practice green activities in daily work from now on.

Kumon Vietnam continue to engage in environmental protection activities.
First, we turned off unnecessary lights or electric equipment when we are out of working time or leaving time. We also changed to use the low energy light bulbs, and record the electricity index and water index every day, that we can easy to find out the abnormal issues of out electricity and water system, prevent the waste of energy. Regarding water conservation, we tick the guideline to remind the user should use the suitable options(Min or Max) for saving water. In addition, we posted some poster to remind the user keep hygiene for public area to keep hygiene and saving tissues and water. We put some cases or boxes in public areas for re-use the paper or collect used batteries to prevent environmental pollution about reuse and recycle. Furthermore, we plant a tree in company and aquarium.
Through those activity, we aim to enhance each employee's environmental awareness.

After the Lunar New Year, KUMON Hong Kong organized a “Red Packet Recycling” campaign. Collection boxes were set up in the office to encourage colleagues to recycle reusable red packets, which were subsequently donated to environmental organizations for reuse.
Also, they selected durable materials for promotional items such as roll-up banners and tablecloths to avoid single-use waste. These activity not only enhanced employees’ environmental awareness but also strengthened their understanding of resource circulation and reuse.
As a result of these efforts, Kumon China was able to reduce its paper usage by 86.1% compared to the previous year in FY2025.

The entire KUMON China is also working on energy conservation measures.
In the Shanghai Office, electricity consumption in January was slightly higher than the same period last year due to low temperatures. However, February consumption improved year-on-year. During the Lunar New Year holiday, employees consciously switched off power before leaving the office, effectively reducing energy waste.

The Guangdong Office replaced outdated lighting in office and meeting areas with high-efficiency LED lamps. Employees were continuously reminded to switch off power, computers, and air-conditioning before leaving the office to minimize unnecessary energy consumption.

In addition, we also work on recycling of waste paper, cans and plastic bottles. In the new warehouse, we implement solar power generation to power the light at night.

During last year’s Kumon Europe and Africa (KEA) Congress held in Spain, all participants received an eco-friendly notebook made from recycled paper as part of the welcome pack. In addition, other materials used throughout the congress—such as worksheets, document folders, and storage boxes—were also produced using recycled materials. This initiative not only reduced the environmental impact of the event but also helped raise awareness among attendees about the importance of making more sustainable choices in everyday professional contexts.

Furthermore, to further support sustainable practices, we have introduced a comprehensive waste separation system within our facilities. Recycling bins have been installed to allow the proper disposal of different types of waste, including organic matter, glass, packaging, and coffee capsules. This initiative makes it easier for employees to separate waste correctly and contributes to reducing the overall environmental impact of our operations.