Ikoma “Eco-City” to Cut Back on Vending Machines
by greenz.jp, Tokyo, Japan 
on 07.28.08
Vending machines have come under fire lately for being bad for the environment, as inefficient 24-hour operation leads to significant amounts of electricity being wasted. Especially in Japan, there are over 5.4million vending machines (as of Dec 2007). Half of them are for beverages and it is said that if we eliminated ALL of them we could reduce at least ONE nuclear reactor (out of the total 55). Now, Ikoma City in Nara Prefecture is standing up and doing something about it.
The city is aiming to eliminate all non-essential vending machines from city facilities such as parks and gymnasiums within a 6-month period started in April, 2008. Currently, there are 39 cigarette and drinks vending machines in Ikoma, but the city is looking to get rid of as many as possible. Those that are considered necessary, such as sports drinks vending machines at the gymnasium, will be replaced with energy-efficient varieties.
Ikoma City has a history of environmental awareness, with a 2001 campaign there on Eco-Offices - dedicated to reducing wasteful energy use in offices by switching off lights and air-conditioners when not in use.
Furthermore, building on last year’s Environmental Manufacturing Trade Show, “Ecoma” (from ECO-MAnufacturing), as of this summer, the city will be providing subsidies for the installation of home solar panels.
Way to go, Ikoma - a town known for its traditional, and very sustainable, bamboo products. Many traditional tea ceremony goods are made in this part of the country.
Makoto Yamashita, the young mayor of the city, says:
"Today, local governments find themselves in an extremely difficult financial situation, and our city is no exception. Yet, the devolution of authority to local governments is ongoing, and the discretionary power of municipalities is growing. To respond to these trying circumstances, I want to bring greater efficiency to municipal operations and communicate Ikoma’s new techniques for urban development throughout the country in a manner that will earn us acclaim as a model government in this era of decentralization."
Ikoma, at least, is turning its attention to some of the major environmental problems faced in Japan. Perhaps the mayor of Tokyo, Mr. Ishihara, would do well to follow to follow their lead.
Brought to you by Luke at greenz.jp
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It'd be nice if there were some sort of censor telling officials how often the machine is used, what products are most popular, and how much energy is consumed per vend per day per hour. Then, the most inefficient or underused machines could be eliminated, rather than eliminating based on location of the product.
Highly insulated purpose built automatic beverage dispenser. I find it difficult to believe that removing these devices will actually save any electricity.
I have to wonder where will people get their icy colas.
1. Corner store, beverages are stored in display cases that are generally open in the back to a larger walk-in style refrigerator. A tremendous amount of energy is lost every time one of these wide doors are opened. Such a small reduction in vending machines is not going to result in a new corner store opening up but the additional customer entries/exits will definitely increase existing stores heating and cooling bills.
2. Employees will bring their drinks from home. Probably. But, they aren't going to drink them warm which means more in inefficient office refrigerators (usually the cheapest model box which runs all night). Also, losses whenever the door opens and closes. Only longer than a corner store; because you have to look for "your" soda.
3. Pour them over ice. Has the same or worst problems as above.
Not a bad goal for Ikoma, but one error in the post: Japan has no intention of closing down any nuclear reactors. It is their stated goal to increase the percentage of their power coming from nuclear so that they can move away from fossil fuels.
Anthony- They weren't saying there was any intention to shut down one nuclear reactor. They were just stating how much energy this could theoretically save.
I live in Japan and walk about 45 minutes to work every day. I am of the type that cannot deal with seeing trash on the sidewalk, and I usually pick up a plastic bag (the bag is also picked up off the ground, of course) filled to the brim with trash every day.
Convenience foods are anything but. It is the majority of what I see on the ground here in Japan.
My thoughts: ban plastic first. the metals are easily recyclable in a closed loop. then, ban steels. many cans in Japan are made of steel simply because this is what people are used to. The switch to lighter aluminum is totally possible. ban vending machines outright! people need to stop thinking they can pop out anywhere in japan and get a cold drink. bring your own! in okinawa is one of the most litter-filled places I have ever seen in all of Japan (I've seen a lot), but it also has a cool scrap-picker community. All old, certainly poor, and with many interesting stories, I am sure.
But for real, the vending machine thing is out of control in Japan. I bet you money there is one at the top of Mt. Fuji. I was on an island of 300 people, the southwesternmost island in Okinawa, basically right by Taiwan, where there are no cars (only water buffalo!), and the houses are made of coral, bamboo, and ceramic, and there it was, a gleaming, hulking shiny, unnecessary vending machine!
boo!