The Capitol Hotel Tokyu to Introduce Wooden Drinking Straws

The Capitol Hotel Tokyu, a luxury property within a stone's throw of Tokyo's iconic Imperial Palace, has announced a unique collaboration with house maker Aqura Home in the launch of the world's first "Wood Straw Project" – development and production of drinking straws made from curling thinly sliced domestic timbers cut down in forest-thinning operations.

The Wood Straw Project was created based on a wood straw idea conceptualized by environmental journalist Yuri Takeda, during her reporting of the heavy downpours in southwestern Japan in July 2018, which resulted in devastating widespread floods and mudslides in the region.

Together with Takeda, Aqura Home and The Capitol Hotel Tokyu established a partnership to raise awareness of sustainable foresting and forest conservation by means of wood straw production. Aquara Home has led the planning development, with The Capitol Hotel Tokyu overseeing production efforts.

As a flagship of the Tokyu Group, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu is aiming to eliminate all plastic straws at its restaurants and bars by April 2019. The wood straws will first be introduced at the hotel's restaurant, "ORIGAMI" (3F) starting Wednesday, January 16, 2019. The Wood Straw Project builds on the environmental sustainability programs the company has in place and the expansion of the project will help sustainable forest conservation and further drive the company's efforts to reduce environmental impact.

"We are pleased to announce our new wood straw initiative which was taken into account for the conservation of the environment while maintaining the highest quality of service for our guests. We, as a hotel, look forward to continuing our efforts towards a sustainable society in the future," said Takahiro Sueyoshi, General Manager, The Capitol Hotel Tokyu.