2025 Impact Highlights💫
Message from our Co-founders
Six years after the launch of mymizu, 2025 marked another meaningful step in our journey to expand free water refills across Japan and the world—made possible by the continued support of our community.
The mymizu app surpassed 500,000 downloads, with usage growing alongside inbound tourism and as more people turned to mymizu to stay safe during extreme heat.
From introducing mymizu refill spots in Japan’s largest sports stadiums to collecting over 220,000 PET bottles from the ocean through the “Refill For The Ocean” campaign, it’s been a big year.
We also saw steady growth in our work with local governments, welcoming new municipalities into the mymizu Local Government Alliance and supporting communities to become more sustainable and resilient.
Beyond this, we deepened collaborations with companies, organisations, schools, universities, and student groups, delivering 30+ lectures and workshops, including the 3rd Campus Changemakers Summit.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
We look forward to creating even greater positive change together in 2026!Mariko & Robin
Impact Stories
Turning refills into ocean action
~Refill for the Ocean Campaign: Collecting 220,000+ PET bottles from the Ocean~
In 2025, we launched a global campaign that connected everyday water refills with ocean clean-up.
In partnership with waterdrop® (Austria), Second Life (Thailand), and PocketSeed (Japan), every refill logged in the mymizu app funded the collection of plastic waste equivalent to 10 PET bottles from the ocean.
Together, we helped remove the equivalent of over 200,000 PET bottles, showing how simple daily actions can drive real, measurable impact for our oceans.
Bringing refill culture to football stadiums
〜Reducing single-use plastic through sport〜
In May, we set up refill stations and an engagement booth at Nissan Stadium in Yokohama during the Yokohama F. Marinos vs. Kyoto Sanga FC match, as part of HEROs PLEDGE, an initiative aiming for zero single-use plastic waste.
Together with our strategic partner OSG Corporation, we made it possible for thousands of fans to experience refilling at a large-scale sports venue - expanding “refill” as a new, practical choice in stadiums.
App reaches 500,000 downloads
〜mymizu Version 3.0〜
In 2025, the mymizu app surpassed 500,000 downloads, marking an important milestone for our community.
With the release of mymizu Version 3.0 in August, the app became smoother, more intuitive, and easier to use - reflecting valuable feedback from our users.
mymizu Local Government Alliance expands nationwide
〜Building sustainable and resilient communities〜
Launched last year, the mymizu Local Government Alliance continued to grow in 2025, supporting municipalities across Japan to reduce reliance on single-use plastics.
Three new municipalities joined this year, bringing the total to 11, while an online exchange meeting in June created space for local governments to share challenges, ideas, and best practices.
▶︎ Find out more here (JA only)
Water Refill Challenge grows nationwide
〜Citizen behaviour change in action〜
In 2025, the Water Refill Challenge and mymizu-based monitoring programmes expanded further across Japan, supporting everyday behaviour change around refilling.
One standout example was the mymizu Challenge, co-hosted with Chiyoda City and the Chiyoda Campus Consortium. From 5 June to 4 July, students and staff from six local universities took part, with around 200 participants reducing 1,866 plastic bottles in just one month.
Many participants shared that the challenge encouraged them to switch to reusable bottles and made environmental issues feel more tangible.
▶︎ Find out more here
Shaping the future with students
〜 Young changemakers gather at the University of Tokyo〜
We co-hosted the Campus Changemakers Summit 2025 with the University of Tokyo GX Student Network, bringing together 28 students from six universities and eight high schools from across Japan.
Through open dialogue on environmental and social challenges, participants shared ideas, aspirations, and practical steps for action. Their passion and positive energy once again reminded us of the power of youth-led change.
▶︎ Find out more here
mymizu 5-Year Anniversary Report
〜Tracking progress, learning, and what comes next〜
We released the mymizu 5th Anniversary Report, capturing our journey, impact, and future direction—shaped together with our community.
If you haven’t yet, we invite you to explore what we’ve built and where we’re heading next
▶︎ Read the report here (JA only)
Talks & Workshops
〜Sharing Knowledge, Facilitating Discussions & Promoting Co-Creation~
This year, we held 33 lectures and workshops for over 1,500 participants at universities, high schools, and companies. These included:
Educational Institutions
Including the University of Tokyo, Rikkyo University, Stanford University,
University of Southern California Marshall School of Business,
The British School in Tokyo, and others.International Organisations & Public / Professional Programmes
Including Expo 2025 Osaka, UNDP ASEAN Blue Innovation Expo (Jakarta), ILO International Training Centre (ITCILO), Sustainable Management School (alterna), and others.International Summits, Forums & Leadership Programmes
Including Aomori Global Academy, Tech for Impact Summit 2025, Asia Climate Investing Summit 2025, ASEF Young Leaders Summit (ASEFYLS) Osaka, The Venture Café Global Gathering, One Young World 2025 Japan Forum, and others.
Impact in Numbers
Since launching in 2019, we’ve hit the following milestones:
500,000+ Downloads: As a free hydration app used in over 50 countries, we have helped reduce millions of plastic bottles!
mymizu Refill Partners: Expanded to 2,500+ partner stores across all 47 prefectures of Japan and worldwide
Refill Spots across Japan: 13,000+ locations
Refill Spots across the World: 205,000+ locations
Government Partners: 11 towns, cities and prefectures joined the mymizu Local Government Alliance
Refill Spot Contributions: 4,500+ people have posted water spot information on the app
Event, Talk & Workshop Participants: 50,000+ participants to date!
Awards
Youth Co:Lab 2025 – AWS Women Social Entrepreneur Award
Recognising women entrepreneurs demonstrating leadership through innovation, collaboration, and social impact towards a more sustainable future.
The 4th Kameoka Environmental Award
Presented by Kameoka City, Kyoto, honouring organisations contributing to plastic waste reduction and environmental conservation.
Media Highlights
mymizu was featured across a wide range of media, including web media Meisui, Nippon TV’s Hirunandesu!, TBS’s Health Capsule! Genki no Jikan, J-WAVE TOKYO MORNING RADIO, Tarzan Web, MIT Technology Review, and the Japanese government’s official social media channels.
Supporters, Donors & Partners
Below are some of the individuals and organisations who supported our work in 2025, listed in alphabetical order. We are deeply grateful to everyone - named here and beyond - who helped make our activities possible this year.
mymizu Monthly Supporters
Many of our activities, including the Campus Changemakers Summit, are made possible through the generous support of our monthly donors. We are deeply grateful to everyone who helps sustain and grow our work.
Want to help us grow our impact?
Actions You Can Take Today:
Buy a Bottle - Spread the love with your own mymizu bottle.
Donate: Contribute to our cause by becoming a monthly supporter or making a one-time donation.
Follow and Share on Social Media: Boost our presence by engaging with us on social media and sharing our mission.
Add Refill Spots: Use our app to find and register new water refill locations.
Register a Refill Partner Store: Encourage your favorite store to join us as a water refill partner.
Organise a Lecture or Workshop: Ask us to conduct an educational session for your company, school, or university.
Get your own mymizu Bottle: Show your support by buying and using a mymizu bottle
👉For more, visit here the TAKE ACTION page
THANK YOU!