Conclusion of Agreement with Nagano Prefecture on Promoting the Use of Reusable Bottles and Heatstroke Prevention
Waterstand Co., Ltd. has signed an agreement with Nagano Prefecture to promote the use of reusable bottles and prevent heatstroke by installing free water dispensers in public facilities, contributing to plastic waste reduction.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: April 16, 2026 at 01:11
- 🔍 Collected: April 15, 2026 at 16:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 19, 2026 at 05:56 (85h 24m after Collected)
Waterstand Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture; President: Hitoshi Honda; hereinafter "the Company"), which operates a water purifier-type water server rental business, announces that it signed an "Agreement on the Promotion of Reusable Bottle Use and Heatstroke Prevention Measures" with Nagano Prefecture (Governor: Shuichi Abe) on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.
■ Overview of the Agreement
This agreement is concluded with the aim of promoting the reduction of plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as advancing heatstroke countermeasures through the collaborative efforts of Nagano Prefecture and Waterstand Co., Ltd. to encourage the use of personal reusable bottles. Centered around the prefecture's initiative to install water dispensers for reusable bottles in prefectural facilities, we will pioneer efforts in public spaces and expand these activities in cooperation with residents and businesses.
The prefecture will handle awareness and public relations, striving to establish the habit of using reusable bottles and promoting proper hydration. In addition to cooperating with the installation and maintenance of the water dispensers, our Company will support the initiative by providing technology and expertise. Both parties will work together to contribute to the reduction of plastic waste and the promotion of heatstroke countermeasures starting from the local community.
■ Nagano Prefecture Website
"Concluded an 'Agreement on the Promotion of Reusable Bottle Use and Heatstroke Prevention Measures'"
https://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/haikibut/mybottlekyoutei.html
■ Comments from Mr. Masato Kobayashi, Director General of the Environment Department
As an upstream prefecture with rivers flowing into both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, it is our responsibility to reduce plastic waste. We have been implementing the 'Shinshu Plastic Smart Campaign' since 2019.
Furthermore, as disaster-level heat has become the norm in recent years, we compiled the 'Nagano Prefecture Heatstroke Countermeasure Package' last July to protect the lives and health of our residents, and we are working cross-departmentally on this issue.
The Environment Department has been promoting the establishment of 'Cool Share Spots' and water refill stations, recently achieving our goal of having these registered in all municipalities. Under these circumstances, Waterstand Co., Ltd., which is engaged in eco-friendly activities through the use of personal bottles facilitated by water dispensers, has agreed to install their dispensers at the prefectural office and 10 joint government buildings. Previously, people visiting these buildings often lacked a place to refill water for free. With this installation, they will be able to easily and freely refill their personal bottles.
Taking this agreement as an opportunity, Nagano Prefecture will continue to improve the water refill environment in public facilities, make it widely known to residents, and further advance our efforts in plastic reduction and heatstroke prevention.
■ About Waterstand
The direct-plumbed water server "Waterstand" is highly regarded for its convenience in providing delicious drinking water anytime without the need for heavy bottles, and for its eco-friendly refill system that eliminates transportation and disposable containers. It is supported by households, particularly those with children, as well as corporations and universities committed to achieving the SDGs.
・Our Company's Initiatives to Reduce Disposable Plastic Bottles
With a mission to reduce 3 billion disposable plastic bottles, our company is promoting the "Bottle-Free Project" in collaboration with local governments and boards of education nationwide, including Nagano Prefecture. Our "Bottle-Free Project" utilizes tap water accessible to everyone to set up low-environmental-impact water refill stations, thereby promoting the use of personal bottles.
Through these activities, we aim to simultaneously achieve climate change mitigation by reducing disposable plastics and CO2 emissions, and climate change adaptation by preventing heatstroke through proper hydration and promoting health. While calling on various organizations and groups to cooperate with this initiative, we will expand similar efforts throughout Japan.
List of our company's initiative case studies, awards, and adoptions for subsidy programs:
・Saitama City Foundation for Business Creation: New Business/New Service Development Subsidy using Digital Technology
・Kawasaki SDGs Grand Prize 2023: Special Prize 'Kawasaki City Global Warming Prevention Activities Promotion Center Award'
・FY2022 Saitama Environment Grand Prize 'Excellence Award'
・Decarbonization Challenge Cup 2022 'Alterna Best Story Award'
・FY2021 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Promotion Meritorious Service Award'
・2021 Japan Child-Rearing Support Award
・Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Consumer Affairs Agency, Ministry of the Environment collaboration: Sustaina-Award 2020 'Japan's Sustainable to be Communicated' Sustaina-Award Rookie Award
・Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: SME SDGs Initiative Cases
■ Overview of the Agreement
This agreement is concluded with the aim of promoting the reduction of plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as advancing heatstroke countermeasures through the collaborative efforts of Nagano Prefecture and Waterstand Co., Ltd. to encourage the use of personal reusable bottles. Centered around the prefecture's initiative to install water dispensers for reusable bottles in prefectural facilities, we will pioneer efforts in public spaces and expand these activities in cooperation with residents and businesses.
The prefecture will handle awareness and public relations, striving to establish the habit of using reusable bottles and promoting proper hydration. In addition to cooperating with the installation and maintenance of the water dispensers, our Company will support the initiative by providing technology and expertise. Both parties will work together to contribute to the reduction of plastic waste and the promotion of heatstroke countermeasures starting from the local community.
■ Nagano Prefecture Website
"Concluded an 'Agreement on the Promotion of Reusable Bottle Use and Heatstroke Prevention Measures'"
https://www.pref.nagano.lg.jp/haikibut/mybottlekyoutei.html
■ Comments from Mr. Masato Kobayashi, Director General of the Environment Department
As an upstream prefecture with rivers flowing into both the Pacific Ocean and the Sea of Japan, it is our responsibility to reduce plastic waste. We have been implementing the 'Shinshu Plastic Smart Campaign' since 2019.
Furthermore, as disaster-level heat has become the norm in recent years, we compiled the 'Nagano Prefecture Heatstroke Countermeasure Package' last July to protect the lives and health of our residents, and we are working cross-departmentally on this issue.
The Environment Department has been promoting the establishment of 'Cool Share Spots' and water refill stations, recently achieving our goal of having these registered in all municipalities. Under these circumstances, Waterstand Co., Ltd., which is engaged in eco-friendly activities through the use of personal bottles facilitated by water dispensers, has agreed to install their dispensers at the prefectural office and 10 joint government buildings. Previously, people visiting these buildings often lacked a place to refill water for free. With this installation, they will be able to easily and freely refill their personal bottles.
Taking this agreement as an opportunity, Nagano Prefecture will continue to improve the water refill environment in public facilities, make it widely known to residents, and further advance our efforts in plastic reduction and heatstroke prevention.
■ About Waterstand
The direct-plumbed water server "Waterstand" is highly regarded for its convenience in providing delicious drinking water anytime without the need for heavy bottles, and for its eco-friendly refill system that eliminates transportation and disposable containers. It is supported by households, particularly those with children, as well as corporations and universities committed to achieving the SDGs.
・Our Company's Initiatives to Reduce Disposable Plastic Bottles
With a mission to reduce 3 billion disposable plastic bottles, our company is promoting the "Bottle-Free Project" in collaboration with local governments and boards of education nationwide, including Nagano Prefecture. Our "Bottle-Free Project" utilizes tap water accessible to everyone to set up low-environmental-impact water refill stations, thereby promoting the use of personal bottles.
Through these activities, we aim to simultaneously achieve climate change mitigation by reducing disposable plastics and CO2 emissions, and climate change adaptation by preventing heatstroke through proper hydration and promoting health. While calling on various organizations and groups to cooperate with this initiative, we will expand similar efforts throughout Japan.
List of our company's initiative case studies, awards, and adoptions for subsidy programs:
・Saitama City Foundation for Business Creation: New Business/New Service Development Subsidy using Digital Technology
・Kawasaki SDGs Grand Prize 2023: Special Prize 'Kawasaki City Global Warming Prevention Activities Promotion Center Award'
・FY2022 Saitama Environment Grand Prize 'Excellence Award'
・Decarbonization Challenge Cup 2022 'Alterna Best Story Award'
・FY2021 'Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Promotion Meritorious Service Award'
・2021 Japan Child-Rearing Support Award
・Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Consumer Affairs Agency, Ministry of the Environment collaboration: Sustaina-Award 2020 'Japan's Sustainable to be Communicated' Sustaina-Award Rookie Award
・Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: SME SDGs Initiative Cases