Recycling Fun for Summer Break! Hands-On PET Bottle Recycling Program for Elementary School Students Announced

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse will host, on July 29 (Wed) and 30 (Thu), 2026, a hands-on PET bottle recycling experience program for elementary school students on the first floor of Building 2, in collaboration with the Suntory Group (hereinafter 'Suntory'), aiming to contribute to a sustainable society through a circular economy.

Last year's event: 'Bottle-to-Bottle' closed-loop recycling process

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse has strengthened its sustainability initiatives since its December 2022 renovation. Recognizing both the global environment and its visitors as key stakeholders, the facility aims to realize a sustainable society through its business operations.

Starting January 2025, a corporate group led by Suntory, together with 23 facilities in the Minato Mirai 21 district and surrounding areas, has officially launched a regional collaborative initiative to regenerate used PET bottles into new PET bottles—known as 'Bottle-to-Bottle' closed-loop recycling. As our facility is participating in this initiative, we are able to implement this educational program. This marks the second time the event is being held, following last October's edition, and is currently the only venue in the Yokohama Minato Mirai area offering this experience.

On the event days, dedicated instructors from Suntory will lead engaging programs including recycling-themed quizzes, bingo games, and hands-on PET bottle sorting activities designed to be easily understood by elementary school students. The goal is to raise awareness about the 'Bottle-to-Bottle' recycling initiative and inspire children to actively participate in recycling through enjoyable experiences.

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse will continue to contribute to Yokohama City's efforts to expand renewable energy use and promote decarbonization, striving toward a sustainable society through its business activities.

PET Bottle Recycling Experience Program Overview

Dates: July 29 (Wed) and 30 (Thu), 2026

Venue: 1F Food Court, Building 2, Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse (1-1-2 Shinko, Naka-ku, Yokohama, Kanagawa 231-0001)

Time: Four sessions total (9:30–10:00 / 10:10–10:40 each day) ※ Registration begins 20 minutes before each session

Content: Recycling-themed quizzes and bingo games, explanations on the importance and mechanisms of recycling, hands-on PET bottle sorting activities, etc.

※ Each child who participates in the sorting activity will receive one bottle of 'Suntory GREEN DA・KA・RA YASASHII Matcha 680ml' as a gift

Fee: Free of charge

Target Audience: Elementary school students and their guardians

※ Program content is designed for 4th graders, but younger students are welcome to participate and enjoy

Capacity: 10 groups per session (one guardian allowed per child)

Organizer: Yokohama Akarenga Co., Ltd.

Registration Opens: June 19 (Fri), 2026, 6:00 PM – Pre-registration begins

(For details, please visit the dedicated website)

Dedicated Website: https://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/brickguide/bottle/

About 'Bottle-to-Bottle' Closed-Loop Recycling

Yokohama City and the General Incorporated Association Yokohama Minato Mirai 21 have collaborated with Suntory since January 2024 to conduct a pilot project that collects used PET bottles from designated facilities in the Minato Mirai 21 district and recycles them into new PET bottles—known as 'Bottle-to-Bottle' closed-loop recycling—to promote regional resource circulation. Following the pilot, Suntory was selected through a public recruitment process by the Association and, starting January 2025, 23 facilities including those in the Minato Mirai 21 district have officially launched the full-scale 'Bottle-to-Bottle' closed-loop recycling initiative as a unified regional effort.

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse's Sustainability Initiatives

Since its December 2022 renovation, Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse has enhanced its commitment to sustainability. Recognizing both the global environment and its visitors as essential stakeholders, the facility aims to realize a sustainable society through its business operations.

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse's Sustainability Concept

Smiling Sustainability

Sustainability that is difficult or overly strict won't last.

What's needed to sustain sustainability

is not a sense of obligation, but elements that inspire proactive participation—

in other words, sustainability with a little excitement.

Slightly fun, slightly interesting, slightly cool.

No need to force it.

We propose a smiling sustainability, true to the spirit of Akarenga.

Four Key Focus Areas of Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse's Sustainability

1. Revitalizing the community makes the city smile

We support the creation and revitalization of attractive neighborhoods and communities.

2. When people come together and cooperate, the Earth smiles

We work collaboratively with stakeholders to address social challenges.

3. Leveraging technology makes the future smile

We promote innovation through digital technologies and other tools.

4. Changing workstyles makes people smile

We create a workplace environment that respects diverse values and workstyles.

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse Sustainability Special Website

URL: https://www.yokohama-akarenga.jp/sustainability/

＜General Inquiries＞

Yokohama Akarenga Warehouse Building 2 Information

Phone: 045-227-2002 ※ Business hours: 11:00–20:00