Promoting Comfortable Lifestyle Proposals Toyoshima & Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Nagoya City, Naka-ku, President: Shinichi TOYOSHIMA) has been working on the "UpDRIFT"® system, which collects washed PET bottles and turns them into resources. Since 2022, together with Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture (Mayor: Shoichiro Matsuki) (hereinafter "Shimoda City"), the nonprofit organization Shimoda Lifesaving Club (Chairman: Mitsuhiro Matsubara, Shimoda City, Shizuoka Prefecture) (hereinafter "Shimoda LSC"), and Ships Inc. (President: Hiroaki Hara, Chuo-ku, Tokyo), we have been working on the 【Seaside Collection PET Bottle Upcycling Project】 since 2022, aiming to widely promote the conservation and appeal of beautiful oceans.
As part of the continuation of this project, now in its fifth year, we held a kickoff beach cleanup event by four parties on Sunday, July 5, 2026. On the day, we collected a total of about 100 kg of washed-up debris, including bottles, cans, PET bottles, plastic fragments, and fishing gear.
Going forward, we plan to continue producing items that convey the initiatives of this project while utilizing the "UpDRIFT"® system.
■ About the "Seaside Collection PET Bottle Upcycling Project"
This project mainly focuses on beach cleanup activities and the collection and upcycling of beach PET bottles. Every year from July to August, for about one month, Shimoda LSC conducts the "Clean Campaign," where lifeguards, swimmers, and visitors to the sea use the "UpDRIFT®" system, where PET bottle waste collected at designated beaches is TOYOSHIMA transformed into textiles.
Started in 2022 in a way that makes it easier for consumers to participate voluntarily, we collect about 80~100kg (about 4000~5000 bottles) of washed PET bottles every year. Through UpDRIFT's® system, these are recycled into textile raw materials, and so far, original polo shirts and eco-bags using this material as part of the material have been produced and sold.
These products, made from seaside plastic bottles, symbolize the achievements of beach cleanup activities by participants. Additionally, along with raising awareness of these initiatives, they contribute to realizing a sustainable, circular society.
■ Kickoff Beach Cleanup on Sunday, July 5, 2026
About 50 people participated, including TOYOSHIMA, Shimoda City, Ships, Shimoda Lifesaving Club, and local volunteers, participating in the kickoff beach cleanup held at Ikenda Beach in Shimoda City. Within one hour, a total of about 100 kg of washed-up trash including bottles, cans, PET bottles, plastic fragments, and fishing gear were collected.
On the day, children also participated, learning about the types of waste and how to sort waste. Additionally, some participants participated in the activities wearing original polo shirts designed by SHIPS (the third product of this project), partially made with UpDRIFT® material, which symbolizes "what you pick up with your own hands can be transformed into new products."
■ Overview of the 2026 'Clean Campaign'
In the "Clean Campaign" conducted by Shimoda LSC (an initiative where people collect trash scattered around and bring it to the patrol tower), PET bottle collection is carried out as part of the "UpDRIFT"® initiative.
[Date] July 18, 2026 (Sat) ~ August 23, 2026 (Sun), once daily in the afternoon
(Hours and periods vary depending on the beach. For details, please ask the lifeguard.)
[Location] Shirahama Central Beach, Shirahama Ohama Beach, Sotoura Beach, Nabetahama Beach, Tatatohama Beach, Iridahama Beach, Yoshisami Ohama Beach
* Shirahama Central Beach is scheduled to be held until Sunday, August 30, and Shirahama Ohama Beach until Monday, August 31
~Let's all protect the beautiful beaches together~
To protect the beautiful nature, we invite visitors to the beach to pick up trash together. Participants receive SHIPS original beach bags as gifts.
For information on beaches and events in Shimoda City, click here
・Beach information
< Shimoda Coast | Izu Shimoda Tourist Guide (shimoda-city.info) >
・Event Information
< Events | Izu Shimoda Tourist Guide (shimoda-city.info) >
■ About UpDRIFT®
This project recycles PET bottles and other items collected along coasts in Japan and transforms them into new products. Through cleanup activities conducted in collaboration with local activity groups, local governments, and companies, PET bottles and other items are sorted and washed, then converted into raw materials called "UpDRIFT,"® which are then incorporated into some new products.
By turning fibers from ocean-washed plastic bottles into new items, we aim to inspire reflection on environmental issues and to expand the cycle of circulation into the future.
https://updrift.jp/
■ Specified Nonprofit Corporation Shimoda Lifesaving Club
Since 1978, the Shimoda Lifesaving Club has been working toward zero accidents along the waterfront. For 48 years, it has been engaged in safety and awareness activities along with beach cleanup activities along the waterfront. Shimoda began in 1978 with picking up trash on the beach. To date, activities have been carried out alongside the history of lifesaving in Japan, such as launching a junior program, hosting the first world championship in Japan, partnering with companies, international exchange with sister clubs, and incorporatizing clubs. Under the theme "Safe & Clean - Valuing Human Connections," the Shimoda Lifesaving Club aims for zero waterfront accidents while engaging in initiatives that are kind to both people and the planet.
https://www.shimoda-lifesaving.com/
■ Ships Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1975. As Japan's first select shop, we propose carefully crafted styles based on the concept of "STYLISH STANDARD." ONE SHIPS ACTION is an action to promote CSR activities and sustainable initiatives aimed at achieving the SDGs. Our goal is to carry out various activities as SHIPS, as well as volunteer SHIPS staff, to do what we can now and in the future. We will continue to do a little good to build a sustainable future through various actions. SHIPS will continue to contribute to the realization of a sustainable society by effectively utilizing limited resources as part of its sustainability activities.
■ Shimoda City
Shimoda City is located in the southern part of the Izu Peninsula in Shizuoka Prefecture, and is an internationally diverse tourist city rich in nature, beautiful coastline, and a history of opening the country.
Currently, we are promoting the "Shimoda City Glocal CITY Project," which leverages Shimoda City's regional (local) and international (global) characteristics to foster pride and attachment to the region, cultivate talent capable of thriving in the international community, and create an attractive and sustainable future for Shimoda that connects to the world.
The Seaside Collection and PET Bottle Upcycling Project is part of this initiative, and was launched under a public-private partnership system where government and private companies join hands to protect the beautiful ocean. Through the 'Seashore Collection Upcycle Project,' PET bottles washed ashore and discarded on the coast are transformed into new valuable resources, and Shimoda City is being promoted to the world by promoting a new form of a circular society.
https://www.city.shimoda.shizuoka.jp/index.html
