Kamikatsu: Japan’s Zero Waste Town

As I’ve seen time and time again in my first year living in Japan, the Japanese pave the way in many different areas. Gun violence is almost unheard of, the bullet train is a nonchalant mode of transportation, and their regard for others around them is unprecedented. It’s no different when it comes to environmental sustainability, as we see in the example of the small town of Kamikatsu.

Prior to 2003, the town’s residents burned all of their trash. But realizing there had to be a better solution that didn’t compromise their health and the health of the environment, they embarked on a journey to become zero-waste.

There are 34 different categories their trash is sorted into, and each resident does their due diligence in learning and ensuring that their trash is separated correctly. The small details of the process are taken seriously.

These details include removing the lid from a water bottle before putting it in with the other PET bottles, rinsing out empty food cans so they’re clean, and removing the plastic spout from the milk carton before adding it to the paper cartons dumpster. After washing, flattening and sorting their garbage into the proper categories, residents take it to the sorting center.

Workers there ensure that all of the trash is properly sorted and goes into the correct bins. Each bin not only shows what should go into that bin, but what products will be produced as a recycled result of your trash. There is a store in town where you can drop off and pick up old items for free, and a factory where old clothes are made into items such as bags or teddy bears.

Although it was difficult to get residents on board with this initiative and learning the rigorous recycling process was a steep learning curve, now it is part of their everyday life.

Currently, 80% of all trash in the town is recycled with the remaining 20% going to a nearby landfill. But by 2020, the town aims to be 100% zero-waste. Other cities around the world are moving towards a more sustainable future as well, which is key for saving our planet. Toronto, Washington D.C., New York City, Tokyo and many others have committed to reducing the waste produced per person by 15% by 2030. San Diego aims to be completely zero waste by 2040.

Worldwide waste generation is the fastest growing environmental pollutant and actions taken to decrease it will make a significant difference in slowing down climate change. As reducing my family’s waste is a personal goal, it’s an inspiration to look around and see whole towns and cities striving towards the same goal. After all, we’re all in this together.

Cover photo via Reuters.