Tokyo:A hotel in Tokyo has found an innovative use for suitcases left behind by guests, turning them into planters for vegetables and herbs in its rooftop garden.
According to Thai News Agency, Hotel Niwa Tokyo in Chiyoda Ward launched a project in 2022 named eco-Niwa. This initiative focuses on recycling hotel waste through activities like leaf mold production and rooftop gardening. Initially, the hotel used hemp bags that had carried coffee beans as planters, but these proved to be insufficient due to their lack of durability and tendency to spill soil.
The hotel's general manager, Kazuya Okawa, noted that approximately 10 suitcases are abandoned each month, with about 90% of guests being foreign visitors. The number of left-behind suitcases has increased as more foreign guests visit after the COVID-19 pandemic. Suitcases are stored for a period, and if unclaimed, they are repurposed as planters.
Yoko Takata, who oversees the rooftop garden project, explained that plastic suitcases with intact casters are ideal for planters because they retain water well and are mobile due to their casters and handles. The garden boasts around 40 varieties of vegetables and herbs, with some produce being used in the hotel's restaurants. Guests appreciate the freshness of the ingredients, and many are pleasantly surprised to discover the rooftop garden.
The hotel is also exploring the idea of hosting workshops at nearby schools to teach how to use suitcases as planters. While prioritizing guest satisfaction, Takata expressed the hotel's aim to enhance community ties by utilizing resources effectively.