The Introduction of Five SmaGO Smart Trash Bins at Motohakone Port

Five SmaGO Smart Trash Bins Installed at Motohakone Port

On July 14, 2026, Forcetec Co., Ltd., headquartered in Chiyoda, Tokyo, launched the installation of five innovative SmaGO (スマゴ) smart trash bins near the boat boarding area at Motohakone Port, located in Hakone, Kanagawa Prefecture. This deployment, a collaboration with the Hakone Town Government and Odakyu Hakone Co., Ltd., aims to strengthen waste management before the bustling summer tourist season, following the successful installation of similar bins in March 2026 at Ashinoko - Hakone Park.

Background

Motohakone Port serves as a hub for sightseeing boats cruising Lake Ashi, surrounded by popular tourist spots including the famous Hakone Shrine. During peak seasons like Golden Week and summer, the foot traffic significantly increases, leading to an overwhelming amount of litter. Past efforts with standard trash bins faced challenges during busy periods, as the waste generated often exceeded the capacity, resulting in overflowing bins that detracted from the area’s natural beauty and placed added stress on waste collection operations.

SmaGO bins address this issue through their solar-powered design, automatic compaction, and communication capabilities that allow remote monitoring of waste levels. By replacing existing bins with SmaGO, the initiative aims to alleviate overflow issues while maintaining the area's aesthetics and enhancing the efficiency of waste collection.

Second Installation in Hakone

The installation at Motohakone Port marks the second occurrence of SmaGO deployments within Hakone Town, which previously replaced standard trash bins with SmaGO at Ashinoko - Hakone Park on March 24, 2026. Following that deployment, the town has reported significant improvements, including the elimination of overflow incidents and a noticeable decrease in littering in surrounding areas. With this latest installation, Motohakone now hosts a total of ten SmaGO bins across two locations in the township.

Installation Details

- Location: Near the Motohakone Port boat boarding area
- Installation Date: July 14, 2026
- Number of units: 5 SmaGO bins (at one site)
- Waste Sorting Categories: Burnable waste, aluminum cans, glass bottles, PET bottles
- Installation led by: Hakone Town

Note: The installation utilizes funding from the Japan Tourism Agency's initiative aimed at preventing overtourism and enhancing local acceptance capacity.

The SmaGO bins can categorize waste into four segments; burnable waste, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and PET bottles. Visitors are encouraged to separate their recyclables appropriately when using these smart bins.

About SmaGO Smart Trash Bins

SmaGO is an environmentally conscious IoT smart trash bin developed by Forcetec, designed with sustainability in mind. These innovative bins operate on solar energy, automatically compressing waste to one-fifth its original size, while also notifying authorities about the volume of accumulated waste through telecom features. This significantly streamlines waste collection operations. Additionally, the bins’ exterior can be customized, allowing for promotional designs that can assist in public education on waste separation, as well as mitigate operational costs through sponsorships. Utilization of SmaGO directly corresponds with six of the United Nations' 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Demonstrated Benefits

- Tokyo - Omotesando and Harajuku Area: Reduced collection frequency by about 70%.
- Osaka - Dotonbori Area: Achieved a 90% reduction in litter (excluding cigarette butts).

Future Developments

Forcetec plans to continue collaborating with local governments, transport operators, and regional businesses to address waste challenges in tourist venues and urban centers. By implementing SmaGO in Hakone, the company seeks to explore sustainable solutions for environmental management in tourist hotspots while considering future expansions across different locations.

About Forcetec

With a motto of "Empowering Circularity," Forcetec champions a movement away from the over-exploitation of finite natural resources, harnessing technology to create models for a sustainable society. Their lineup includes the SmaGO smart trash bins and AI-powered sorting recycling boxes, such as Weecle. The company actively collaborates with various stakeholders who share a commitment to fostering a sustainable future.

- Company Name: Forcetec Co., Ltd.
- Establishment: April 15, 2019
- Location: 6th Floor Otemachi One Tower, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo 100-0004
- Representative: CEO Yohei Takemura
- Official Website: Forcetec