PAPLUS® Biz Now in Use at SoftBank Headquarters

Camino Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Koichiro Fukazawa), the developer of the sustainable product brand PAPLUS®, is pleased to announce that it has provided biomass plastic reusable cups for employee use in lounge areas on each floor of SoftBank Corp. (hereinafter “SoftBank”) headquarters. This initiative officially began full-scale operation in April 2025.

 Background

SoftBank has been actively engaged in various environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives aimed at building a more sustainable society. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, disposable paper cups and plastic lids were introduced across floor lounges as a preventive measure against infection.

As the pandemic subsided, SoftBank sought to transition back to reusable cups and lids to reduce environmental impact. In this effort, the company reached out to Camino, the company behind the PAPLUS® sustainable product brand, to explore potential solutions.

Implementation Process

Several requirements were outlined for the reusable products to be introduced:

• Dishwasher safe for repeated use

• Microwave safe

• Stackable design

• Compatible with lids

To meet these conditions, Camino proposed the PAPLUS® Biz series, a version of the product line that does not contain paper. Instead of plastic lids, the cups are paired with silicone lids featuring drink spouts.

Prior to full implementation, a pilot program was conducted on two of the building’s 19 floors. Over a six-month test period beginning in April 2024, regular meetings were held to assess feedback and improve the product—resulting in changes such as a redesigned drink spout and new cup colors for broader deployment.

Projected Impact

Through this initiative, SoftBank expects to eliminate approximately:

• 3.5 million disposable paper cups

• 1.16 million plastic lids annually

This is estimated to reduce CO₂ emissions by approximately 119 tons per year (according to Camino’s calculations). In addition to cost savings, the initiative has also contributed to heightened environmental awareness among employees, enhancing overall participation in corporate sustainability efforts.

About PAPLUS® Biz

PAPLUS® Biz is a sustainable product line made primarily from PLA (polylactic acid)—a biodegradable plastic derived from lactic acid obtained by fermenting corn starch. Most of the material ultimately breaks down into water and carbon dioxide, making it environmentally friendly and harmonized with nature.

※ Note: The time required for decomposition varies depending on environmental conditions and microbial activity, and complete degradation cannot be guaranteed.

Rather than aiming to “return products to the soil,” the PAPLUS® Biz series seeks to establish a closed-loop recycling system in which products are recovered and remanufactured after use. The cups introduced at SoftBank are also scheduled to be collected and recycled after 1.5 to 2 years of use.