Shibuya Ward to Install Around 50 Locations with About 250 "Smart Trash Bins," Aiming for Completion Within the Fiscal Year

Tokyo's Shibuya Ward has announced plans to install about 250 "smart trash bins" at around 50 locations near Shibuya Station within this fiscal year.

Features of the Smart Trash Bins

• The amount of trash discarded can be monitored remotely
• Powered by solar energy
• Automatically compacts trash to one-fifth of its volume

Budget and Background

The ward expects a budget of about 500 million yen, including installation and collection costs, and plans to use a subsidy of about 350 million yen from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. In recent years, the number of visitors from Japan and overseas around Shibuya Station has surged, and the increase in trash littered on the streets had become a problem.

Strengthened Measures

Since June this year, the ward has imposed a 2,000 yen fine on people who litter, and it has also strengthened countermeasures, such as requiring restaurants and other businesses in busy entertainment districts to provide trash bins. After the smart trash bins are installed, the ward plans to manage them, including patrolling the bins 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.