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A team of graduate students from the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies at Sophia University has been honored with the President’s Award for Achievement, in recognition of their outstanding performance at the International Material Flow Competition (IMFC) 2025.

The President’s Award for Achievement is presented annually to individuals and student groups who have demonstrated excellence in academic or extracurricular activities, including contributions in social engagement, sports, and cultural fields. This year, the award was granted to five students and student groups across the university.

The award ceremony was held on March 26, where recipients were presented with certificates by the university president. During the ceremony, each awardee briefly introduced their activities and achievements, followed by remarks from the president highlighting the importance of student initiative and extracurricular engagement. The event concluded with an informal reception, providing an opportunity for awardees to exchange ideas and experiences.

The GENV team consisting of Sara Roehrig, Chloé Rose Danielle Christin, Giulia Marcarino, and Mochoge Marlen Kwamboka received the award for their first-place achievement at the International Material Flow Competition (IMFC) 2025, held in Tokyo and organized by the Japan Material Flow Institute (JMFI).

At IMFC 2025, the team presented their project titled “Reusable Packaging in Japanese E-Commerce.” The proposal addresses the environmental challenges associated with the rapid growth of e-commerce in Japan, particularly the increasing volume of single-use packaging waste and related CO₂ emissions.

Their solution outlines a reusable packaging system tailored to Japan’s logistics infrastructure. By integrating reusable packaging materials with digital tracking technologies, AI-supported logistics optimization, and existing return networks such as convenience stores and postal services, the system aims to reduce environmental impact while maintaining user convenience. The project emphasizes circular material flows, efficient resource use, and the practical implementation of sustainability solutions in real-world contexts.

The recognition through the President’s Award highlights the team’s interdisciplinary approach and contribution to advancing sustainable logistics. Their achievement reflects the core mission of the Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies in fostering innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.