The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has installed a vending machine that allows consumers to use their own cups when they purchase drinks in the elevator lobby of the ministry building. The aim is to conduct research on consumer behavior and convenience. This experiment, the first of its kind undertaken by a government or other public office, started on November 1, 2005.

There are about 160,000 paper cup vending machines in Japan, and it is estimated that about two billion paper cups are consumed every year. Should "Bring Your Own Cup" vending machines come into common use, consumption of paper cups is expected to decrease by 20 to 50 percent.

The ministry pins high hopes on the spread of BYO cup vending machines as an effective way to reduce consumption of containers and packaging.

http://www.meti.go.jp/english/index.html

Posted: 2006/03/04 11:09:24 AM
Japanese version

TAG Government , Material reduction , System/Law