ADVERTISEMENT

The simple way this Japanese town has become nearly zero-waste

Residents of Kamikatsu, Japan have made a valiant effort to sort their garbage.

At times, separating trash between paper and plastic can be time-consuming. But it's nothing compared to the recycling efforts of residents in Kamikatsu, a small village in southwestern Japan.

ADVERTISEMENT

They sort their garbage into 34 separate categories of waste, as noted in this video discovered by Fast Company. Residents sort their trash into super-specific categories, like aluminum cans, steel cans, paper cartons, and paper flyers.

In 2003, the city embarked on a rigorous zero-waste program. The city used to incinerate its trash, but eventually realized how damaging it was to the environment. Waste incinerators have been shown to emit vast quantities of greenhouse gases and toxins that can damage the food supply.

It took time for residents to adjust to the tedious task of washing, sorting, and bringing their trash to the town's sorting center. (Although the residents do sort their trash before they bring it the center, workers there make sure the trash goes into the right bins.)

ADVERTISEMENT

This process is now routine.

The town also has a store where people can leave clothing or furniture they don't want, exchanging their old stuff for free items that others have dropped off.

Down the street, there's a factory where local women make products from discarded products, like teddy bears from old kimonos.

"We are trying to focus more and totally change our lifestyles," said

Now 80% of the town's garbage is recycled, reused, or composted, with the rest going to a landfill.

ADVERTISEMENT

The process saves the village a third of its former costs from waste incineration. By 2020, Kamikatsu hopes to be completely zero-waste.

Globally, the amount of trash produced is growing faster than the rate of urbanization, according to a 2015 World Bank report. By 2025, the organization estimates that 1.4 billion more people will live in cities worldwide, with each person producing about 3 pounds of waste per day — more than double the current average.

Japan produces nearly half the amount of waste per capita as the US.

Beyond Kamikatsu, cities around the world are trying to reduce their waste footprints. For example, in 2015, San Diego announced its plan to reduce trash disposal by 75% by 2030 and become completely waste-free by 2040. New York City has similarly ambitious plans, hoping to be waste-free in about 15 years.

FOLLOW BUSINESS INSIDER AFRICA

Unblock notifications in browser settings.
ADVERTISEMENT

Recommended articles

Mastering adaptation: Strategies for soccer league matches

Mastering adaptation: Strategies for soccer league matches

10 African countries that waste the most food in 2024

10 African countries that waste the most food in 2024

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

US troop withdrawal from Niger hangs in the balance

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Detained Binance executives sue Nigerian authorities for human right violation

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Nigeria's central bank increases minimum capital base for banks

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Sony’s creators convention redefines the creative landscape for content creators

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Exploring the popularity of progressive jackpot slots in Indonesia

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

Egypt, Nigeria, and South Africa ranked as Africa's most polluted countries in new report

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

10 African countries with the lowest life expectancy according to the World Bank

ADVERTISEMENT