Our Commitment to School Education
We develop original curricula based on our reuse business, operations, and related initiatives, and provide educational support programs and lectures tailored to different stages of student development—from elementary to junior high and high school. Through these programs, we actively promote awareness and understanding of the reuse industry.
For elementary and junior high school students
The “School BOOKOFF” Project: Integrating SDGs Education and Career Exploration
(Target: Grade 3 to Junior High School Students)
What is the “School BOOKOFF” Project?
The School BOOKOFF project is an educational initiative by the BOOKOFF Group that introduces children to the principles of reuse through a specially developed curriculum based on our reuse business.
By using BOOKOFF—a familiar presence in many communities—as the central theme, the program helps students relate to social and environmental issues in a personal and approachable way.
As of the end of December 2024, the program has reached over 10,000 elementary school students, and has been highly praised for its unique approach that combines SDGs education with career exploration.
Learn how a “recycling-oriented society” should be while having fun.
Rather than taking a traditional top-down teaching approach, this program is designed around the concept of “students taking the lead in their own learning.” The learning journey begins with students bringing unwanted books from home and exploring the question, “How much would this book sell for?” through an actual evaluation process.
Through this hands-on experience, children enjoy learning with their classmates while discovering the value of reusing books. They naturally begin to ask, “Why does BOOKOFF accept books even when they don’t have a resale value?” and are surprised to learn that such books are 100% recycled. This leads to a deeper, experiential understanding of BOOKOFF’s role in supporting the transition toward a circular economy.
The project itself is a living "career education"
The School BOOKOFF program gives students the opportunity to simulate the experience of running a real store. While exploring questions like “How can we increase sales?”, “What makes effective teamwork?”, and “What does it take to attract customers?”, students often surprise us with ideas as creative and thoughtful as those of adults.
We provide interactive online classes to follow up on student activities.
During reuse valuation sessions and School BOOKOFF activities, students receive real-time guidance from actual BOOKOFF store staff via online classes. Through these interactive sessions, students can also ask staff about challenges they encountered, questions they want to solve, or goals they hope to overcome.
We provide all teaching material data and tools
To support the program in the age of the GIGA School Initiative, we provide a full set of learning materials and tools, including digital teaching guides, worksheets, a virtual currency called “Booka” used during store setup, and logo data for making custom signage. BOOKOFF can also donate books if schools do not have enough on hand.
Contents of the“School BOOKOFF” Project
We offer themed lessons for various age groups, such as:
“Let’s Make a Reuse Bag from an Old T-Shirt”
“What Is This Book Worth?” (Valuation Experience)
“Let’s Create a BOOKOFF in Our School!” (Store Simulation)
Through this program, BOOKOFF aims to show children that sustainability doesn't mean giving things up or living restrictively. Instead, we promote a way of life where people can enjoy their daily lives while reducing waste and enabling the circulation of goods—a practical vision of a more sustainable society.
School BOOKOFF "Let’s Make a Reuse Bag!"
Subjects: Integrated Studies, Home Economics, Social Studies
Duration: Choose from a 2-period or 3-period version, depending on your school’s schedule
Period 1: What kind of company is BOOKOFF?
Periods 2–3: Is it really rewarding to take care of things? Let's make a reuse bag!
School BOOKOFF "How much is a book worth?"
Subjects: integrated learning time, social studies
Duration: Choose from a 3-period or 4-period version, depending on your school’s schedule.
Lesson 1: Think about the books you don't need at home.
Lesson 2: Let's try out the appraisal experience.
Lesson 3: Check the appraisal results online at BOOKOFF.
Lesson 4: Let's consider why BOOKOFF takes back books that cannot be priced.
School BOOKOFF "Let’s Create a BOOKOFF in Our School!"
Subjects: integrated learning time, social studies
Duration:Choose between a 6-period or 8-period version, depending on your school’s schedule.
【STEP 1】Periods 1–4：Watch a video message from BOOKOFF assigning a “store project” to your class. Plan, prepare, and launch your own BOOKOFF store within your school.
【STEP 2】Periods 5–6：Connect with actual BOOKOFF staff online to report on your store experience and work together to solve any challenges you encountered.
【STEP 3】Periods 7–8：Reflect on your experience and reopen your School BOOKOFF store with improvements.
For junior and senior high school students
Lecture program
Although many students recognize the SDGs as important indicators, some still struggle to fully understand their content.
Others may feel unsure where to begin when their school decides to take action on the SDGs, or may find it difficult to see how these goals relate to school life—making it a challenge to engage students meaningfully.
To support such junior high and high school students, BOOKOFF Group sends staff members to deliver lectures on what a sustainable society could look like—through the familiar and relatable lens of BOOKOFF’s reuse business. These sessions help students understand how reuse contributes to the circulation of goods and the realization of a sustainable future.
