Shibuya Ward and Tokyu Fudosan Holdings announced Wednesday the launch of the "Umbrella-free city Shibuya" initiative, in a bid to cut plastic waste and carbon emissions.
Partnering with Aikasa, an umbrella-sharing service available at various stations and locations, the ward announced that it aims to set up 150 umbrella stands within a 600-meter radius of Shibuya station — surpassing the number of convenience stores in the vicinity. The company also announced that it will begin a full-scale provision of umbrellas made of 100% recycled plastic bottles.
Shibuya plans to have around 100 stands by the end of July and 50 more by the end of August in areas with a lot of foot traffic, such as Shibuya station, universities, offices and shopping centers. Currently, there are 25 stands in the vicinity of the station.