Circular Yokohama to accelerate circular economy in Yokohama

Harch Inc. is a startup based in Tokyo, engaged in web media business to enhance social good. The company has launched a new media platform called ‘Circular Yokohama’ on March 19. Circular Yokohama is a new startup to accelerate circular economy in Yokohama, Kanagawa prefecture.

The 20th century socioeconomic model in the developed countries was based on a linear economic model, which consumed vast amount of natural resources as well as generating tons of waste. As the world matures, it is looking to adopt the circular economy model. It is where resources are used repeatedly, thus minimizing resource consumption and waste generation simultaneously. Circulating resource and minimizing waste is valued in this new model, and today many countries are moving towards achieving this circular economy model in order to create a sustainable society.

Harch has managed ‘IDEAS FOR GOOD,’ an online magazine since 2016. IDEAS FOR GOOD has reported coverage on circular economy repeatedly up till today. The editorial staff have visited Amsterdam, Helsinki, London, Paris, Berlin and Oslo in November 2019 to learn about the forefront of circular economy projects in Europe. Based on this experience, Harch is now tackling to put circular economy in practice, which is the primary reason for creating Circular Yokohama.

Circular Yokohama is a media platform that aims to create new jobs and to bring economic growth in Yokohama by adopting the concept of circular economy. It will accelerate circular economy in Yokohama by the following acts: visualizing circular economy projects held within Yokohama; planning and providing opportunities to experience circular economy; creating new projects and implementing talent sharing; provide latest updates about ongoing circular economy projects in Yokohama.

This platform is selected as one of the 12 startups and programs chosen by the city of Yokohama to participate in creating ‘Innovation City Yokohama,’ a declaration made in 2019. This declaration will build a community for connecting innovative mind and local businesses, and creating an environment for collaboration.

Circular Yokohama will collaborate with the following businesses to promote the initiatives.

1. Taiyo Jyuken Co., Ltd.
   Taiyo Jyuken will upcycle empty houses by installing solar panels on the roofs, offering an experience to make natural energy and to learn about the nature of circular economy.
2. Social Action Company Inc.
   ‘actcoin’ is an app that visualizes social contribution acts, developed by Social Action Company Inc. Whenever members of Circular Yokohama join social activities such as local town cleanup, they gain tokens on the app. This will visualize how much contribution each member has made and joining activities will become enjoyable for all members.
3. Waris Co., Ltd.
   Waris is engaged in human resource management and will offer a job matching network for businesses, organizations and job seekers in Yokohama. This will lead to job creation as well as promoting new projects within the city.

Circular Yokohama is expected to become a platform that will work as a regional hub for innovating new ideas and connecting people to accelerate circular economy in Yokohama, consequently spreading the practice across the country.