Okayama Prefecture and Water Stand Co., Ltd. Sign Agreement to Promote Reduction of Plastic Waste

Water Stand Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture; President and CEO: Hitoshi Honda; hereinafter referred to as "our company"), which operates a rental service for water purifier-type water servers, announced on Tuesday, June 2, 2026, that it has signed the "Agreement to Promote the Reduction of Plastic Waste, etc." with Okayama Prefecture (Governor: Ryuta Ibaraki).

▲ From right: Yoshiki Kunishige, Director of Environment and Culture Department, Okayama Prefecture; Kiyoharu Maruyama, Director and Kansai 2nd Branch Manager, our company.

Overview of the Agreement

This agreement is concluded with the aim of promoting the reduction of plastic waste and measures against heatstroke through cooperation between Okayama Prefecture and our company.

By installing my-bottle compatible water dispensers implemented by the prefecture, we aim to reduce the use of disposable plastic products such as PET bottles in public facilities, encourage lifestyle changes among prefectural residents and businesses, and reduce the risk of heatstroke.

The prefecture will promote the use of personal bottles and foster environmental awareness through awareness campaigns and information dissemination to residents and businesses. Our company will support these efforts by providing technical expertise and knowledge, in addition to cooperating with the installation of water dispensers. Both parties will work together to promote initiatives for reducing environmental impact and realizing a sustainable society.

Okayama Prefecture Website "Let's Use My Bottles!"

https://www.pref.okayama.jp/page/951656.html

Comment from Yoshiki Kunishige, Director of Environment and Culture Department, Okayama Prefecture

Okayama Prefecture formulated the "Okayama Prefecture Government Plastic Waste Reduction Guidelines" in Reiwa 2 (2020) and is working to reduce plastic waste by reducing the use of disposable plastic products at events organized by the prefecture, procuring products made from materials other than plastic, and promoting the use of reusable bags and bottles.

According to the results of a web survey conducted targeting prefectural residents, one of the reasons for not carrying a personal bottle was the lack of water refill spots. We felt it was necessary to consider expanding water refill spots to promote the use of personal bottles in this prefecture. Through the agreement with Water Stand Co., Ltd., we are very grateful that we can proceed with the installation of water servers in prefectural facilities.

We will widely inform prefectural residents about the water refill spots in public and private facilities throughout the prefecture, starting with the water servers installed today, and will continue to promote initiatives for plastic reduction and heatstroke prevention.

About Water Stand

The water purifier-type water server "Water Stand" is supported for its convenience, providing delicious drinking water anytime without the need for bottles, and its eco-friendly water supply system that does not require transportation or disposable containers. It is favored by individual households, especially those with young children, as well as corporations and universities working towards SDGs.

・Our company's initiatives to reduce disposable plastic bottles

Our company has set a mission to reduce 3 billion disposable plastic bottles and is promoting the "Bottle Free Project" with local governments and boards of education nationwide, including Okayama Prefecture. Our "Bottle Free Project" aims to promote the use of personal bottles by developing water supply stands that utilize accessible tap water and have a low environmental impact.

Through these activities, we aim to achieve both mitigation of global warming by reducing disposable plastic and CO2 emissions, and adaptation to climate change by preventing heatstroke and promoting health through hydration. We are expanding similar initiatives throughout Japan while calling for cooperation from various organizations and groups.

・List of examples of our initiatives, awards, and adoption in subsidy projects

・Saitama City Industrial Creation Foundation Digital Technology Utilization New Business/New Service Development Subsidy

・Kawasaki SDGs Grand Prize 2023 Special Award "Kawasaki City Global Warming Prevention Activities Promotion Center Award"

・Reiwa 4 (2022) Saitama Prefecture Environmental Award "Excellence Award"

・Decarbonization Challenge Cup 2022 "Orutana Grand Prize Story Award"

・Reiwa 3 (2021) "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle Promotion Commendation"

・2021 Japan Child-Rearing Support Award

・Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, Consumer Affairs Agency, Ministry of the Environment Collaboration "Sustaina Award 2020: Sustainable Japan to Convey"

Sustaina Award Rookie Award

・Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: SDGs Initiatives by Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

・National Institute for Environmental Studies, Center for Climate Change Adaptation: Climate Change Adaptation Information Platform

List of agreements concluded with local governments

https://waterstand.co.jp/bottlefreeproject/category/municipality/

【Overview of Water Stand Co., Ltd.】

President and CEO: Hitoshi Honda

Headquarters: 4-463 Sakuragi-cho, Omiya-ku, Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture (71 locations nationwide as of the end of May 2026)

Established: March 1969 Capital: 50 million yen

Business Activities: Rental of water purifier-type water server "Water Stand" and air purifiers

Corporate Site: https://waterstand.co.jp/

Service Site: https://waterstand.jp/

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