Okinawa tries out Re&Go reusable containers for take-outs

The third wave of coronavirus seems to be waning in strength, but the Japanese population remains vigilant. With many sticking to the Stay Home movement and lockdowns, delivery services remain popular, especially for food and beverages. Take-out services are now a common sight at restaurants and cafes.

But amidst all the take-out services, another problem that threatens our planet is exacerbated: the overuse of plastics. In this uneasy period, personal bottles are not accepted at coffee chains and take-out and delivery services are needed to cushion F&B’s financial losses. While disposables are becoming a vital part of the fight against coronavirus, the frightening increase in usage of plastics is undeniable.

And the plastic problem is dire. Japan exports 2-6 tons of plastic every year, and out of that, 48% are plastic containers for food and drinks. They include the convenience store bentos, the bubble tea drinks, plastic bottles from dispensers, and, now, disposable food and drink containers.

Re&Go wants to change that. A collaboration between NISSHA Co. Ltd. and NEC Solution Innovator Co. Ltd., Re&Go leverages IoT to provide a container sharing service for the take-outs. It completed its first test trial this last month in Okinawa.

To participate, users joined the Re&Go group on the popular messaging app LINE. Each time they used Re&Go’s containers, they used the app to scan a QR code at the partner store. Users can return the used containers to any partner stores.

Used containers are not simply washed, however. Re&Go has a system to retrieve the used containers from their partner stores and send to professional services for cleaning. They involve local services, which revitalizes local businesses, while not forgetting to take steps to reduce their environmental impact (e.g., carbon emissions during delivery).

Feedback is essential for Re&Go’s next steps. After six weeks of trial, they have received comments and suggestions from both users and partner stores. Some feedbacked they wanted more stores to participate, which would make the return of the containers more convenient. Partner stores also asked for a variety of containers, especially to distinguish the different preparations for different customers. While Re&Go admits it still has ways to go, they are already planning the next stages with the constructive feedback.

Key benefits from reusing containers include the reduction of energy consumption and carbon emissions. If Re&Go can scale and get enough traction, it could redefine consumption patterns and popularize reusable containers for the delivery and take-out services in Japan. Re&Go plans to conduct more tests before aiming for nationwide release in 2022.