Reusable Bottle Enriches the Future

At the Osaka-Kansai Expo, free reusable bottle washers and water dispensers have been installed throughout the venue as a measure against heatstroke.

A “reusable bottle washer is an automatic machine that allows visitors to easily clean and rinse their reusable bottles or tumblers on the spot. The goal is to reduce the use of disposable plastic bottles and minimize plastic waste. Another benefit is that it allows people to reuse their bottles in a clean condition even on hot days.

I recently had an opportunity to use one of these reusable bottle washers installed at the Osaka Expo. The side panels were made from Yoshino cedar, a well-known brand of wood from the Kansai region, and despite its futuristic design, the machine gave off a natural and warm impression. At first, I was a bit unsure how to use it, but it turned out to be very simple — all I had to do was to set my bottle inside the machine and press a button. The washing process took about one to two minutes and inside of the bottle was cleaned automatically. After it finished, I checked the bottle, and the wetness and odor had been removed and it was ready to use again. Since it was a hot day and I had been using my bottle frequently to stay hydrated, I felt very reassured knowing I could keep it clean. I felt that this initiative, based on the Expo’s theme “Designing Future Society for Our Lives,” offered a hands-on experience of an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

I asked some visiters who were using the washer how they thought. Many had positive feedback, such as:

“It’s so convenient, I hope they install these at train stations, schools, and workplaces.” “As temperatures continue to rise, it is also safe in terms of food poisoning prevention.” “I was happy to see the amount of CO2 reduction displayed on the screen — it really made me feel like I was contributing to the environment.” “It was very easy to use because it was available in many languages.”

There were also some suggestions for improvement, such as:

“It’s hard to clean deep inside my bottle at home, so I hope they make a compact version for home use.” “I want the cleaning power to be strong enough to remove tea stains.”

Next, I used a water dispenser. At the Expo, bringing own bottles were encouraged and water refill stations were installed throughout the venue, which I found very convenient.

The dispenser was also very easy to use. I simply put my bottle and pressed a button to get cold water. Since it was a hot afternoon, I was really grateful to be able to refill with cold water so easily. The water tasted fresh and had no strange aftertaste.

I also asked other users for their impressions of the water dispensers. I was happy to hear their comments:

“It was much colder than I expected and was really delicious!” “I appreciate the free water. I’ve always felt like I’m just paying for the plastic bottle when I buy water from vending machines. I hope these dispensers to be installed in cities too.

Someone told me about environmental considerations other than reducing plastic waste.

“Water dispensers  help reduce plastic waste, which is great for the environment. I’d love to see more of them in everyday life. In that case, I would like the system to be self-sufficient in electricity for the water machine to work.”

Among the conversations I had, what left the deepest impression on me was a conversation with a person from Indonesia who spoke to me in Japanese about the realities of drinking water in their country. He told me that tap water contains bacteria and viruses, making it unsafe to drink in Indonesia. Then, he gave a message to us youth:

“Of course, this water dispenser is wonderful in terms of reducing plastic waste and being free of charge. But you should be grateful that you can safely drink tap water even without using a water filter. In some regions in Indonesia, water shortages is also a serious issue. I would like to see this technology used not only in Japan, but to be used eventually for the health of people around the world.The world is waiting for you.”

His comment made me realize that I had only been focusing on the environmental aspect. Before talking with him, I was wondering if I could be of any help to anyone in the world. However, I knew I had to work for the world, not for what I could do.it is not about whether or not I can do something, but rather that I must take action for the good of the world.I still don’t know exactly what I should do, but I am now determined to act on my own to get a correct view of social issues around the world.

Through these interview, I hope more people would pay attention not only to the free cleaning and water supply, but also to the environmental benefits. I’ve decided to contribute to engaging in awareness-raising activities. Next time you use a water dispenser or a reusable bottle washer, I hope you’ll take a moment to be thankful for the safe drinking water we have access to and think about how we can all help reduce plastic waste!

Written by:
Sara Ikawa, Kindai University-affiliated Toyooka High School, Osaka, Japan