〈Returnable Cups〉LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA: Reuse initiatives expanding into office spaces
LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA is an incubation facility that opened in Toyosu in September 2025. The Less Plastic team was asked to create KeepCup reuse stations for its community and office spaces bringing a sustainable element into this space that was designed with the mission of demonstrating new lifestyles.
How it began
This returnable project began with an inquiry from Sachiyo Sumi, Service Planning Manager at KOKUYO & Partners Co., Ltd. We were happy to learn that Sumi-san had first encountered KeepCup through our returnable cup initiative at IKEBUKURO LIVING LOOP, a recurring urban event held on the streets of Ikebukuro.
We were approached early in the design stage of LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA, a new community space facilitated by KOKUYO & Partners.The space is envisioned as an urban living room, open and welcoming to everyone from small companies to families, with diverse facilities for work, learning, community activities, and daily life. This was our first venture into creating a returnable cup system for an office environment, so we were excited to explore how KeepCup could contribute to the space.
Sustainability in everyday life
From the beginning, Sumi-san had a clear vision: "In this new facility, I want to serve drinks in reusable cups, not disposable ones. The cups should make the space more appealing, be enjoyable to use, and be sustainable." In her previous work planning and managing workplaces, Sumi-san has always valued spatial design as an experience rather than simply a facility.
Beginning the day with a delicious coffee in a KeepCup, rather than a disposable cup, is a small act yet it can gently shift awareness and reshape the everyday experience of work.
Creating a Reuse System from the Design Stage
Our involvement began during the design stage of LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA. Working this early in the process was a new experience for us, and it was also our first time developing a returnable system for an office environment.
Imagining how to install the reuse station in a space where the interior wasn't yet complete was not easy. It was during this time that Ms. Washimi told us about the sustainable initiative being implemented at ‘Creative Lounge MOV,’ a co-working space in Shibuya operated by KOKUYO Co., Ltd., where the on-site staff took the lead in installing and operating reusable cups.
We were given the opportunity to actually visit the site, and while speaking with the operating staff, we worked closely with the TOYONOMA team to envision the specific operational details and consider the optimal station design.
Our goal wasn't simply to replace disposable cups. Our aim was to create a station that blended naturally into the space, making the coffee-making process itself a fun and comfortable experience, thanks to the KeepCup system.
In line with the opening in September 2025, we installed stations in two locations: the kitchen space in ‘HIBINOMA’ and the cafe corner within the ‘Member Office’.
HIBINOMA is a community-facing space open to everyone from workers and residents to families and students. In line with the concept of a cafe corner that serves as a starting point for communication, the station has a long, horizontal shape, allowing multiple people to line up to use KeepCup and brew their own coffee. With this in mind, we designed our returnable system to be intuitive and accessible, incorporating clear signage and a convenient return area for used cups and dishes.
The second location is the ‘Member Office’ housing private office spaces used exclusively by members. We installed the same returnable station and introduced a selection of Australian-designed lifestyle products to complement the atmosphere of KeepCup’s café culture origins.
Continuing the reuse journey
This implementation was made possible through the proactive collaboration of the LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA team. The KeepCup reuse station serves as an environmental initiative and also a symbolic element that reflects the values of the space. We look forward to seeing how this returnable project evolves as LIFESTYLE LAB TOYONOMA grows.
Less Plastic will continue to develop reuse solutions that connect spatial design, branding, and sustainability. You can learn more about our Returnable services at the page accessible below!