Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture Partners with 'Oikura' to Launch Reuse Program

Okegawa City, Saitama Prefecture (Mayor: Katsunori Ono), and MarketEnterprise Co., Ltd. (Chuo-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Taishi Kobayashi; TSE Standard: 3135; hereafter 'MarketEnterprise') have signed an agreement on a reuse project aimed at solving community issues, with the collaboration beginning on Thursday, May 21, 2026. By utilizing 'Oikura,' a reuse platform operated by MarketEnterprise, the partnership aims to build a system where items are reused instead of being discarded, thereby fostering waste reduction and a circular society in Okegawa City.

■Background and Circumstances

Okegawa City has previously undertaken initiatives to achieve SDGs, such as selling reusable items collected among waste. However, the city faced challenges including increased waste disposal costs, an aging population making it difficult for residents to carry out bulky waste, and the realization that many items disposed of as waste were actually reusable. The city felt the need to raise awareness of reuse activities among citizens and was considering the introduction of new reuse measures. Meanwhile, MarketEnterprise, which focuses on reuse and online businesses under the vision of being an 'optimization trading company that realizes a sustainable society,' has been actively engaged in cross-sector SDGs initiatives, such as participating in the 'Regional Revitalization SDGs Public-Private Partnership Platform' and acting as a member of the 'Instrument Donation Hometown Tax' executive committee. Under these circumstances, MarketEnterprise approached Okegawa City, and as their mutual needs to 'aim for the formation of a circular society through the promotion of reuse activities' aligned, this initiative using 'Oikura' was realized.

*1 About 'Oikura'

'Oikura' is a reuse platform developed by MarketEnterprise. When individuals wishing to sell unwanted items request an appraisal through 'Oikura,' they receive bulk appraisal requests from affiliated reuse shops nationwide, allowing them to compare purchase prices, dates, methods, and reviews. Its ease of use, allowing users to compare results and sell items with a single request, has been well-received, and it has been used by approximately 1.68 million people (as of the end of February 2026).

Website: https://oikura.jp/

■Okegawa City's Issues and Solutions via 'Oikura'

Okegawa City currently collects bulky waste for a fee via individual collection upon prior reservation, requiring residents to carry bulky waste out of their homes in advance. 'Oikura' enables on-site purchase, where staff can visit the home and carry items out if requested, making it easier to sell large or heavy items. Furthermore, products covered by the Home Appliance Recycling Law, such as refrigerators and washing machines, may be purchased if they are still usable. By requesting a purchase through 'Oikura,' it is possible to sell and hand over items as early as the same day. There is no cost to the city for this service, and it is free for citizens to use.

■Future Outlook

Information on 'Oikura' will be posted on the Okegawa City website (https://www.city.okegawa.lg.jp/soshiki/shiminseikatsu/recycle/gomi/gomi_recycle/1657.html) at 15:30 on May 21 (Thursday) (the publication time may shift), allowing direct application for bulk appraisal of unwanted items. Through the collaboration between Okegawa City and 'Oikura,' the revitalization of the secondary market and the realization of a circular society, along with a reduction in overall waste across society, are expected, while also contributing to the reduction of waste disposal volume and costs for the municipality. Additionally, if this simple reuse method of selling becomes widely recognized, it will increase options to 'reuse rather than discard,' meeting diverse disposal needs. This will also lead to a change in residents' awareness of reuse and the promotion of a circular society. Through this public-private partnership, the city aims to solve issues from both social and economic perspectives toward the formation of a circular society.