Opening of IDEAS FOR GOOD X Mitsubishi Estate Collaboration Exhibit Project “IDEAS FOR GOOD Museum in MEC”

Harch Inc., which runs IDEAS FOR GOOD, is collaborating with Mitsubishi Estate Company CO., LTD. (Tokyo Prefecture Chiyoda City, President and CEO: Junichi Yoshida) on a new exhibition corner which utilizes office space. IDEAS FOR GOOD is a magazine with ideas from around the world for creative solutions to solve societal problems.

Project Background

Climate change is causing natural disasters and resource exhaustion. Societies are dealing with social discrimination such as economic disparity and hate crimes. The environment that surrounds modern cities is greatly changing. Many people who live in these cities are experiencing firsthand these changes in their everyday lives. Now we are not only damaging the environment. It is necessary for us to conceive of new urban development that allows people to live rich and fulfilling lives.

Mitsubishi Estate Company has formalized concrete efforts regarding sustainability. From the 2020 fiscal year, in its 10 year long term business plan, it has decided to offer value through two undertakings, “Quality of Life” and “Sustainability.” Mitsubishi Estate has also collaborated with Norinchuokinko Bank, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun (Nikkei) as well as Nikkei Business Publications to start the “DaiMaruYu SDGs ACT5” project. The name refers to the Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho areas of Tokyo. DaiMaruYu SDGs ACT5 holds projects and events in these areas from the standpoint of the SDGs.

For example, when incorporating sustainability concepts in various cases of urban development, it’s important to know what choices to make in the first place, as well as how to implement those choices. Not only through classroom learning, but with being able to actually hold the products and materials and experiencing them with the five senses, it is easier to imagine these choices and implementations. Therefore, IDEAS FOR GOOD is curating the sustainable items from throughout the world that we have introduced until now, and displaying them at an open space in Mitsubishi Estate’s Head Office. This exhibition, called “IDEAS FOR GOOD Museum in MEC” (Mitsubishi Estate Company) has just opened. It is a corner where one can actually hold products and experience them.

A New Way of Utilizing the Office during the Coronavirus Wave: “Office as a Museum”

This project is also one experiment to search for new ways to utilize offices. The Coronavirus pandemic has led to major restrictions for many companies regarding commuting to the office. Employees have come forth with changes in opinions regarding reasons for going to the office.

There are various opinions regarding the issue, such as “There aren’t any problems holding all meetings online,” “It’s great to have no commute” and “Communication between employees has become more difficult.” Because of this, many companies have started to redefine the meaning and value that offices have. Now, through viewing the office as a museum, we have tried to search for possibilities for unique online experiences and new ways to utilize offices.

About “IDEAS FOR GOOD Museum in MEC”

This project decides on a new theme every month. Focusing on products that IDEAS FOR GOOD has mentioned until now, the exhibition will display products that aim to solve environmental and social problems, as well as products that offer new perspectives related to city and urban development.

The PERCH area in Mitsubushi Estate’s Head Office is used as the actual exhibition spot. The PERCH area has necessary stationery types for work, snacks to enjoy during breaks as well as souvenirs. It is a place for employees to stop by for a short break. Because the exhibition will be held there, they can see it during their spare moments at work. The exhibition can also be the means for them to have inspiration when they get back to work.

Exhibition Summary

The theme for March 2021 is “plastic.” Regarding plastic, the problems of ocean plastic trash, microplastics flowing in our bodies, the impact of the climate crisis associated with our use of fossil fuels, is often mentioned in the media. It is one of the most serious environmental issues facing Japan and the rest of the world.

On the other hand, plastic is extremely lightweight and functional, and shipping it has lower CO2 emissions during transport compared to other materials. It also has uses in food loss reduction. It is certainly the case that not every aspect of plastic is negative. The problem is not only plastic materials; it is also thought to be how humans use them. IDEAS FOR GOOD has chosen products based on this month’s theme “Our relationship with plastic.”

Exhibition Product Example

Crafts made from ocean plastic “buøy”

The Yokohama, Kanagawa based company Techno Labo Co., Ltd. has upcycled ocean plastic and made crafts such as eating utensils and flower pots. Bright colors are reflected in the plastic trash. All of the crafts are one of a kind.

Crafts made from ocean plastic “buøy”

Developed in Hong Kong – a vinyl bag that dissolves in water (#INVISIBLEBAG)

Distinctive Action, a start up company located in Hong Kong, has developed a vinyl bag that dissolves in water. The raw materials used include polyvinyl alcohol starch and glycerin. Even if it is left outside and not dissolved in water, it is a product that naturally composts.

Developed in Hong Kong – a vinyl bag that dissolves in water (#INVISIBLEBAG)

Hoodies made from Patagonia plastic bottles

Patagonia, which mainly deals in outdoor apparel, is selling a hoodie made from recycled plastic. 14.9 plastic bottles and 362 grams of leftover cotton are used as materials. Compared to hoodies made from cotton cultivated from past methods, these hoodies save 697 liters of water.

Hoodies made from Patagonia plastic bottles

Nudge lets you have fun experiencing sustainability

Employees visiting the exhibition can not only appreciate it, but can also actively participate while enjoying it. A device incorporating the design philosophy of “Nudge” is introduced in the exhibition. Nudge is an approach that pushes people to act in a desired way. It is based on knowledge from behavioral science. In order for employees to actually show up to the museum, a corner is set up where they can vote for their favorite products using wrappers from candies eaten at the exhibition corner. The candies provided were planned to be disposed of, and the plastic wrappers used for voting are upcycled after being collected. They are then reborn as new crafts.

IDEAS FOR GOOD will continue to cooperate with Mitsubishi Estate and plan new exhibitions in the Otemachi, Marunouchi and Yurakucho areas.

Summary

Project Summary

Exhibition Period: March 2021 – March 2022
Venue: Mitsubishi Estate Company CO., LTD. Head Office
Nearest Station: Otemachi Station
*Only Mitsubishi Estate Company CO., LTD. employees can enter.