The Yokohama Reuse Bin Project

The Yokohama reuse bin project is to produce reusable glass bottles in Yokohama produced by Yokohama City Resource Recycling Business Cooperative. The project conceives the regional circle of the bottles and the local consumption of the juice so as to help the environment and the local communities.

As a part of the project, they offer “a delivery lecture” program to teach about the project and local consumption at elementary schools in Yokohama.

As well as the glass bottles, they produce Yokohama limited edition beverages with local fruit farmers. The juice is sold at some restaurants in Yokohama.

Reusable glass bottles are collected and reused as brand-new bottles after being rinsed. Why are reusable glass bottles environmentally friendly? It is because they reduce the environmental effect and encourage local consumption.

1. Not recycling but reusing

Reusable bottles go through a different process from recycling bottles do. Reusable bottles do not need to be sorted out, melted down and reformed into a bottle. They can be reused right after rinsing as brand-new bottles. This simple process helps reduce energy consumption. In addition, Yokohama reusable glass bottles are processed every step in Yokohama so as to reduce CO2 emissions.

2. Yokohama-exclusive beverage

Producing Yokohama-exclusive beverages in Yokohama-exclusive designed bottles makes the project even more special. They promote a local product for local consumption and encourage local societies and businesses.

3. Environmental education

“Delivery lecture” program brings a lot of good effects. Environmental education through a delivery lecture program makes students consider and learn about social problems. The posters drawn by students at a delivery lecture are displayed at some Yokohama-local restaurants. People who want to see the posters come to the restaurants and that allows the restaurants to have new customers. These outcomes make everyone who is part of the project happy.