MUJI and Gogoro, two well-known Japanese brands, have teamed up with the acclaimed designer Naoto Fukasawa for an innovative collaboration. They have recently introduced the revolutionary VIVA ME and VIVA MIX ME electric scooters, enhancing their significant commitment to the environment. Body panels of these E-scooters are made from recycled plastic (polypropylene) as part of their ‘Recycling for Good’ initiative. This partnership aims to reduce plastic waste and promote a sustainable lifestyle in Taiwan and the surrounding region.

Back in 2019, the Gogoro VIVA line, consisting of reasonably priced electric scooters, was introduced to the world. These innovative scooters showcased body panels made from recycled polypropylene, further solidifying their commitment to sustainability. The concept of second-life manufacturing is being more enhanced with the new VIVA ME and VIVA MIX ME models.

The Smartscooters, personally curated by Fukasawa, perfectly blend classic MUJI design elements with a unique rustic color palette and a simple color tone philosophy. The result is a new urban mobility experience that is not only simple and comfortable, but also incredibly distinctive.

Gogoro has always prioritized environmental responsibility with their electric scooters that feature easily swappable batteries. The company has now joined hands with the renowned household consumer goods brand MUJI to push the boundaries even more. And this time they are targeting plastic waste.

MUJI is a renowned Japanese brand that specializes in designing home goods. Interestingly, the name MUJI is derived from the concept of producing high-quality products without any specific brand affiliation. Yes, their name translates to no-brand quality goods. Their product catalogue includes everything from stationary, furniture, and clothing, to a variety of delectable food items.

MUJI, Gogoro, and Japanese designer Naoto Fukasawa have partnered to work together on the new Gogoro VIVA ME and Gogoro VIVA MIX ME e-scooters. In addition, they have created an impressive collection of merchandise and accessories to complement their products.

From Trash to Transport: Sustainable MUJI X Gogoro Electric Scooters
Picture Credits: Gogoro

CEO and founder of Gogoro, Horace Luke explained in a statement, “Naoto Fukasawa offers such a fresh and unique approach to simplicity, functionality and beauty in everything he creates, so it was an honor to work with him on our new Smartscooter designs and accessories.”

“This collaboration between Gogoro, MUJI and Naoto Fukasawa establishes a strong unified voice in promoting sustainable lifestyles in Taiwan and across the region, not just for transportation but across all aspects of life. Our joint ‘Recycling for Good’ initiative promotes the reduction of urban pollution through encouraging the public to recycle plastics at Gogoro and MUJI stores and their reuse in our new Smartscooters,” CEO Horace further said.

The Recycling for Good program, mentioned by Luke, is an innovative initiative that was recently launched as a key part of the partnership. It aims to inspire individuals in Taiwan, Gogoro’s local market, to actively engage in recycling polypropylene plastic waste at Gogoro and MUJI stores. By doing so, they empower them to make a meaningful contribution towards creating a more sustainable future.

The Recycling for Good initiative retrieves polypropylene objects, which then undergo a meticulous process of screening, cutting, granulating, reshaping, and regenerating. These transformed materials ultimately are used in the body panels of the recently unveiled Gogoro Smartscooters. The body panels made from recycled polypropylene are the same high-quality polypropylene material used in MUJI’s renowned storage series.

Also See: Recycling End-Of-Life Solar Panels and Wind Turbines: Big Waste Business for Climate Tech

Akihiro Yoshida, General Manager of MUJI Taiwan explained, “MUJI and Gogoro are continuing the concept of a sustainable lifestyle and together have created this new series of Gogoro Smartscooters that are optimized for life and the environment.”

Akihiro further added, “Gogoro’s commitment to being a sustainable business is aligned with MUJI’s business philosophy. MUJI is not just a store that sells goods, but it creates a simple and pleasant life through comprehensive sustainable thinking and takes practical action for the sustainability of society and the earth.”

From Trash to Transport: Sustainable MUJI X Gogoro Electric Scooters
Picture Credits: Gogoro

E-scooters made from recycled plastic are a Gogoro’s measures play a crucial role in their remarkable environmental influence. Their 2.5 million users have already reduced approximately 750,000 tons of CO2 emissions.

About Naoto Fukasawa

Naoto Fukasawa is a renowned product designer and was born in 1956 in Yamanashi Prefecture. He graduated from Tama Art University’s Product Design Department in 1980. He joined Seiko Epson in the same year, taking charge of advanced development design. He joined IDEO San Francisco in 1989 after moving to the United States. After dedicating seven years to mastering his skills, with a key focus on Silicon Valley industries, he made his triumphant return to Japan in 1996. Fukasawa founded and led IDEO’s Tokyo office, establishing a strong foundation of Japanese design consultants for the company. In 2003, he embarked on an independent journey and established his company NAOTO FUKASAWA DESIGN.

About Gogoro

Gogoro developed electric scooters and a battery-swapping network to make it convenient for riders to avoid recharging their scooters. Instead of having to look for charging stations like traditional electric motorcycles or e-scooters, riders can effortlessly approach a Gogoro GoStation and easily exchange their drained batteries for fresh ones.

The process is so quick that riders can recharge their vehicle and be back on their way in just six seconds. The company has expanded aggressively after dominating the domestic market in Taiwan and has spread its operations to almost 12 countries.

About MUJI

MUJI was established in Japan in 1980 and has quickly grown worldwide. It now has over 800 stores with a wide selection of over 7,000 carefully chosen items. MUJI is a renowned global brand, dedicated to enhancing the everyday lives of people by offering an impressive range of meticulously crafted, functional, and affordable products.

About MUJI Taiwan

MUJI Taiwan has been successfully operating in Taiwan for nearly 20 years, ever since its establishment in 2004. MUJI Taiwan is dedicated to connecting with Taiwan and producing locally made products in order to improve customer’s quality of life.

Source MUJI, Gogoro and Naoto Fukasawa Collaborate

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Elliot is a passionate environmentalist and blogger who has dedicated his life to spreading awareness about conservation, green energy, and renewable energy. With a background in environmental science, he has a deep understanding of the issues facing our planet and is committed to educating others on how they can make a difference.

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