Thermos Co., Ltd. is embarking on an innovative initiative to reduce the use of disposable drink containers at basketball games hosted by Alvark Tokyo. The company will test its new 'Drink Container Reuse Service' at upcoming home games on March 29 and April 26, 2025, as part of its collaboration with the professional basketball club.
This initiative, aiming to encourage environmentally friendly practices, includes providing reusable tumblers for fans. Attendees who use these reusable products will benefit from discounted beverages at participating vendor stations within the arena. "We are committed to promoting sustainable practices, and this verification experiment is one way we can engage our supporters and help protect the environment," said Yuuji Kataoka, president of Thermos Co., Ltd.
The program leads up to the anticipated opening of Alvark Tokyo's new home arena, Toyota Arena Tokyo, scheduled for the fall of 2025. "The goal of this project is to significantly cut down on single-use waste during games, setting a standard for future events," added Kataoka.
Notably, the 'Drink Container Reuse Service' is not just about sustainability. It'll also feature incentives to encourage participation. Fans bringing their own water bottles can enter special lotteries to win exclusive signed items from players—like jerseys and Thermos products—during the games on March 29 and April 26. "It’s exciting to think we can combine our commitment to sustainable practices with fan engagement," said Kataoka.
Thermos will also run 'Used Stainless Steel Magic Bottle Collection Services' at the games. This initiative aims to recycle used stainless steel bottles, encouraging participants to trade them for discount coupons valid at Thermos' official online shop. With environmental sustainability increasingly on the radar, Thermos is making efforts to build familiarity with their products and create sustainable projects at sporting events.
On the match days, fans can take advantage of the unique offer at Thermos booths located near the entrance of the arenas. A limited number of 100 reusable tumblers will be available for rental per game, providing early bird fans the first chance to contribute to this sustainable initiative. Customers will need to return the tumblers to designated collection points to participate. "We believe these small changes can drive bigger impacts over time," said one representative from Alvark Tokyo.
Alvark Tokyo has been working alongside Thermos since 2021 as part of their SDGs partnership. This program includes efforts to promote the use of personal bottles during games, aiming to cut down on waste. Alongside this, Thermos has also introduced special seating options, providing player jerseys and unique experiences to drive the message home about the importance of sustainability.
To engage the younger audience, Thermos is introducing 'Bring Your Own Water Bottle! X Present Campaign.' Fans can photograph their water bottles at home games on March 29 and April 26 and post them on social media with the hashtag #MyBottlePromotionProject for the chance to win T-shirts. This campaign is another avenue paving the way for changing hearts and attitudes toward sustainable product usage.
On top of these activities, Alvark Tokyo is also reaching out to high school students and younger audiences. On April 16, 26, and 27, the team will invite students from Tokyo to watch the games for free, with accompanying adults receiving special discounted tickets—200 free entry tickets will be available per game. This effort is aimed at increasing community participation and enhancing the connection between sports and the youth.
Such invitations are part of the broader 'sports experience project.' This program allows Tokyo residents to explore various sports and discover their interests. "Offering sports experiences is integral to our strategy of promoting health and community spirit through athletics," said one of the organizers of the project.
Through these various planned events, Thermos and Alvark Tokyo intend not just to create excitement around basketball but also to establish themselves as proponents of sustainable practices within the sporting community. Their combined efforts mark them as leaders for environmental initiatives across the industry.
