MyMizu Free Water Refill Map and App in Japan

= "Using the MyMizu app, people can locate places to get free water refills — from public drinking fountains to restaurants and other participating businesses".

URL = https://www.mymizu.co/home-en

Description

Louise George Kittaka:

"While Japan is committed to recycling and protecting the environment, with over five million vending machines and 50,000 convenience stores across the archipelago, buying bottled drinks while out and about is second nature to most people. A staggering 20 billion PET bottles are consumed each year in Japan. Moreover, in a culture where people don’t wish to be seen as expecting special treatment or getting something “extra,” the majority wouldn’t think to ask staff in a café or restaurant to refill their water bottle for them.

With the launch of this new app, however, things look set to change. (‘Mizu’ is the Japanese word for water). Using the MyMizu app, people can locate places to get free water refills — from public drinking fountains to restaurants and other participating businesses.

MyMizu is the brainchild of Robin Lewis and Mariko McTier, a pair of Tokyo-based millennials who share bicultural roots and a passion for social innovation. McTier was raised in the U.K. and has previously worked for a government program which facilitates innovation partnerships between Japan and the U.K. Lewis has lived and worked around the world, and has a background in humanitarian aid and international development." (https://www.shareable.net/how-the-mymizu-app-is-creating-community-and-fostering-sustainability-in-japan/)