Japan To Reward Citizens Who Practice Green Living Through A Points System

Going green doesn’t only benefit the environment; in Japan, it also benefits you. People who make conscious efforts to live a life that’s environmentally friendly will be rewarded by the Japanese government. This includes using energy-saving home appliances and limiting the use of single-use plastic.  

E-commerce retailer Rakuten Group Inc. and mall corporation Aeon Mall Co. are among 26 businesses receiving government backing and bringing a points scheme to their customers in order to track their green habits. Each business varies in what loyalty points can be exchanged for. The possibilities include online shopping vouchers, airline miles, and investments—in Rakuten’s case.  

Loyalty and membership cards are quite popular in Japan and most people take part in the different schemes from retailers to reap rewards. Understanding this, the government has banked on the popular retail experience and launched a way for both the environment and the people to win. 

In Sakai City, western Japan, an app has been launched to track when residents decline plastic cutlery, partake in shared rides, and even have their laundry folded at the dry cleaners instead of hung on single-use plastic hangers.  

The launch of this initiative is to encourage an active stance on global warming and to incite a proactive uptake of eco-friendly practices amongst the citizens of Japan. This is placed upon Japan’s other sustainable efforts such as its complex yet effective recycling and trash system and a recent urge to its people to only use heaters and heated toilet seats during the winter. By 2050, Japan hopes to be carbon-neutral.

[via Bloomberg and  NHK, Photo 117758654 © Gerold Grotelueschen | Dreamstime.com]