New Recycling Initiative Launched at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO for Zero Waste Goals

Launch of the Re-CUP Station at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO

In an innovative move towards sustainability, Toyo Seikan Group Holdings Corporation, headquartered in Shinagawa, Tokyo, has announced a collaboration with Toyota Alvark Tokyo, a prominent basketball club based in Koto, Tokyo. Together, they aim to achieve a zero-waste goal in their new arena, the TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, set to open on October 3, 2025. This significant partnership introduces a new recycling station called the Re-CUP Station, designed to manage and recycle both beverage and food packaging effectively.

The Re-CUP Station is set to provide an updated waste collection system that will separate trash into ten distinct categories, focusing on recycling every type of waste generated within the arena. This initiative not only promotes environmental responsibility but also incorporates an innovative horizontal recycling process for paper cups used for beverages, which will be implemented starting from the 2025-26 season. This annual, unrestricted program, set to debut in Japan, highlights the importance of continuous recycling practices.

The Re-CUP Project: A Commitment to Recycling

The commitment to environmental sustainability began with the Re-CUP Project launched in the 2022-23 season. The goal of this initiative is to enhance the recycling rates of paper cups collected within the arena. For the 2024-25 season alone, an impressive recovery rate of 37.9% was achieved, resulting in approximately 30,000 paper cups being recycled. Cumulatively, over the past three seasons, the project has managed to recover around 77,000 cups. Notably, recycled fiber from previously collected cups will now be infused into the new paper cups introduced for the 2025-26 season, containing 25% reprocessed pulp.

Additionally, starting in the 2025-26 season, food paper cups used in the arena will transition to a new type known as FF (Film Forming) Cups. This innovative design allows for the separation of film after use, enabling previously unrecyclable food containers to be processed as a valuable paper resource.

Introduction of the Re-CUP Stations

TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO will feature 15 recycling stations, seven of which will be specifically designed as Re-CUP Stations equipped with specialized washing units and collection mechanisms for beverage and food paper cups. The strategic placement of these stations aims to enhance visitor convenience while ensuring that both domestic and international guests can easily navigate the recycling process. The stations will utilize adaptable features to change resource collection based on event requirements, fostering a seamless recycling experience.

Ongoing Commitment from Athletes

In addition to the operational initiatives, player Gen HiraIwa from Alvark Tokyo has been reappointed as the Re-CUP Ambassador, a role he previously held last season. His involvement is crucial for leading the new resource recovery initiatives at TOYOTA ARENA TOKYO, reinforcing the arena's sustainability theme.