Smart Waste Management and Environmental Sustainability Initiatives in Tokyo's Showa Memorial Park

Enhancing Waste Management at Showa Memorial Park

In an innovative collaboration, ForceTech has supplied smart waste bins, called SmaGO, to the National Showa Memorial Park in Tokyo, contributing to a project aimed at transforming facility management through digital solutions. This initiative, in cooperation with NSW Corporation, began operation on March 13, 2026, with two SmaGO units installed in the park.

Background and Objectives of the Experiment

Established over 40 years ago, Showa Memorial Park has continued to attract a high volume of visitors, with a record attendance expected in November 2025. However, with this influx comes an increase in waste generation, especially during weekends and events. The existing waste collection methods presented logistical challenges due to the park's large and dispersed area, prompting the need for upgraded solutions.

The primary goal of this experiment is to visualize waste accumulation through SmaGO's technology, thereby optimizing waste collection timing and routes. This will also help alleviate the burden on staff and resources, ensuring that the park remains a safe and enjoyable space for all guests.

Details of the Experiment

The experiment leverages multiple digital transformation solutions provided by NSW, enhancing the efficiency of facility management while reducing human labor and environmental impact. SmaGO's real-time waste accumulation tracking will assist in determining optimal collection times and paths.

- Duration: March 2026 - May 2026
- Number of Units: 2
- Conducting Organization: NSW Corporation
- Collaborators: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, ForceTech

Expected Outcomes of SmaGO Implementation

1. Efficiency in Waste Collection:
- Reduction in the number of collection trips due to waste accumulation visibility
- Decrease in collection frequency through compaction technology
- Optimization of collection routes based on data analysis

2. Improvement of Labor Conditions:
- Alleviation of physical demands on staff across the extensive park area
- Automation and labor-saving aspects of waste collection

3. Environmental Impact Reduction:
- Lower CO₂ emissions from reduced travel distances within the park
- Prevention of overflow through the automated compaction feature

Future Developments

After gathering insights from the experiment, the goal is to move toward full-scale implementation of smart maintenance at Showa Memorial Park. This model could serve as a standard for future applications in other national parks and municipal areas, addressing broader social challenges and contributing to sustainable development.

About SmaGO

SmaGO is an IoT-powered smart waste bin developed by ForceTech, focusing on environmental sustainability. Operating on solar power, SmaGO automatically compresses waste to one-fifth of its original size and sends real-time notifications regarding waste levels. This innovation prevents overflow while significantly streamlining collection operations. Customizable designs for the bins also enable community engagement and support for operations, aligning with six of the United Nations' sustainable development goals (SDGs).

Implementation Success Stories

- Omotesando-Harajuku Area, Tokyo: Achieved approximately a 70% reduction in collection trips.
- Dotonbori Area, Osaka: Saw a 90% decrease in litter (excluding cigarette butts).

About NSW Corporation

Founded in 1966, NSW Corporation provides comprehensive solutions across various industries, including the development and operation of IT infrastructures and cloud services that support embedded systems, IoT, AI, and edge computing.

About ForceTech

- Founded: April 15, 2019
- Headquarters: Otemachi One Tower, 1-2-1 Otemachi, Chiyoda, Tokyo
- CEO: Yohei Takemura
- Focus: Proposing collaborative environmental initiatives through the deployment of smart waste bins across Japan.