#Japan #Tokyo #Nippon Steel #Future Style #Zojirushi

Collaboration Agreement for Reusable Bottles in Real Estate

Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate Co., Ltd., headquartered in Minato Ward, Tokyo, and Zojirushi Makuhin Co., Ltd., located in Kita Ward, Osaka, have recently entered into a collaboration agreement focused on promoting the use of reusable bottles in the real estate sector. This partnership aims to create an environment conducive to the usage of reusable bottles and to foster a culture of their use in offices, hotels, and residential complexes, thereby advancing the Circular Economy.

As part of this agreement, starting in April 2024, the tabletop bottle cleaning machine currently installed in Nippon Steel Kowa Real Estate's employee cafeteria will be replaced with the popular “Expo Model.” This model gained attention at the Osaka-Kansai Expo and will enhance communication efforts both internally and externally.

Foundation of the Collaboration Agreement

The project's driving force, Nippon Steel Kowa's Future Style Research Institute, has been actively engaged in promoting the use of reusable bottles based on insights gained from workshops held with SDGs members of Kodansha’s ONE THEME magazine in 2022. In December 2023, a joint pilot experiment was conducted with Zojirushi at the shared office space “WAW Nihonbashi.” Moreover, in August 2024, a project titled “Building 2 Bottle” will be implemented, collaborating with tenants and employees at Akasaka Intercity AIR to design and execute achievable environmental actions for office workers. Through these initiatives, they aim to raise environmental consciousness and reduce waste from plastic bottles and cups, contributing toward a decarbonized society.

Transitioning this initiative from a demonstration phase to an implementation phase will unite Nippon Steel Kowa’s real estate assets and knowledge with Zojirushi’s expertise in promote the use of reusable bottles. Together, they will work to enhance usage environments and develop related services.

Key Activities Under the Collaboration Agreement

• - Establishing Reusable Bottle Usage Environments in Real Estate Assets
• - Exploring Services and Businesses Utilizing Bottle Cleaning Machines

In the “Building 2 Bottle” project launched in 2024, a campaign collected “Reusable Bottle Declarations” from 1,416 employees working at Akasaka Intercity AIR. Furthermore, by improving the usage environment, a 20-30% increase in reusable bottle users has been observed. Building on these results, both companies aim to further cultivate a reusable bottle culture to promote the Circular Economy.

About Future Style Research Institute

• - Establishment: April 1, 2025
• - Website: Future Style Soken
• - Activities: Future Style Research Institute aims to think from the future, researching various aspects of life and work to generate new values that enrich lives. They have previously led projects focusing on single living and collaborated with other companies to innovate using the latest technologies.

About Zojirushi Makuhin Co., Ltd.

• - Founded: May 10, 1918
• - Website: Zojirushi
• - Activities: Zojirushi has been engaged in awareness initiatives promoting the repeated use of reusable bottles since 2006. In recent years, they have spearheaded pilot experiments and collaborated with various organizations to address environmental issues, aspiring to foster a society that supports reusable bottle users.

Sustainability Initiative: “Think Sustainable”

Nippon Steel Kowa defines sustainability as a commitment to resolving social issues through urban development while achieving stable and ongoing corporate growth. The creation of a new logo aims to raise awareness among employees regarding sustainability, encouraging each one to engage in addressing societal challenges. The logo features a light blue and green shape representing the harmony of buildings and nature, symbolizing numerous societal challenges like air, sea, and forest issues. The company commits to sharing this vision with stakeholders and continuously working toward solving societal problems.

Reference Releases

• - October 31, 2024: “Building 2 Bottle” project aims to promote reusable bottles with a significant increase of about 35% in reusable bottle users, resulting in a reduction of one-third of plastic bottle usage. Read More
• - September 11, 2024: Objectives of the “Building 2 Bottle” project toward realizing a Circular Economy confirmed. Read More
• - August 20, 2024: Launch of the “Building 2 Bottle” project for office bottle initiative. Read More
• - December 19, 2023: Collaboration project “Changing the Future with Reusable Bottles” initiated. Read More