Buzz
When it comes to Japan, we often think of a civilized, clean country. And Kamikatsu zero waste village is the epitome of Japanese Zero Waste living. Many tourists marvel at the lush tea fields, ancient houses, and a town with no waste. This zero waste initiative has attracted over 2,000 tourists to this Japanese village each year. Let's explore one of the cleanest villages in the world with Mytour through the following article.
About Kamikatsu Zero Waste Village
The Kamikatsu zero waste village lies deep on the Shikoku island, Japan amidst lush green tea plantations. Although home to only about 1,500 residents, Kamikatsu is striving for a beautiful life WITHOUT WASTE. Upon arrival, visitors will hardly find any litter on the village streets or any public areas.
It's truly challenging to find a piece of trash in Kamikatsu village (Source: Collected)
The village is so clean that it's 'trashless'. It may sound unbelievable, but it's entirely true. To achieve such success, all residents of Kamikatsu have to undergo a long journey filled with dedication and steadfast perseverance.
Where is Kamikatsu Zero Waste Village?
Kamikatsu Zero Waste Village is located in Katsuura District, Tokushima Prefecture, South of Tokyo, Japan. Like many other villages in the 1990s, the village's waste was mainly incinerated or dumped into the surrounding environment. The consequences of this waste disposal method have led to severe environmental pollution. Faced with the threat of ecological environmental damage, the authorities have proposed environmental protection measures.
Despite having only about 1,500 residents, Kamikatsu village boasts incredibly modern infrastructure (Source: Collected)
Implementation Process of Zero Waste Policy
The 'zero waste' campaign in Kamikatsu village has been implemented since 2003 with three phases. Kamikatsu Zero Waste Village hopes to achieve its final goal by 2030.
Initial Phase - Setting Goals
In 2003, Kamikatsu village became the first locality to declare zero waste. Since then, the village has transitioned from outdoor waste incineration to waste processing through a scientific process. That process is the Buy - Process - Dispose chain with the goal of achieving the most carbon-neutral level.
By 2030, Kamikatsu village is estimated to be close to achieving that goal. At present, they have covered 80% of the distance compared to the initial proposal. This healthy initiative has helped Kamikatsu village become a tourist destination. Additionally, this green environmental model has become a shining example for international friends to learn from and emulate.
Second Phase - People's Response
However, to achieve success for the 'zero waste' campaign, it also requires the determination of the local people and government. After realizing the serious consequences of previous waste disposal methods, the people were determined to raise environmental awareness.
The determination of Kamikatsu villagers has led to the success of the 'zero waste' campaign (Source: Collection)
Everyone in Kamikatsu zero waste village took some time to get used to the new waste processing model. Especially with plastic bottles, aluminum cans, papers, all had to be cleaned before being taken to the recycling center. Moreover, the locals here had to learn how to properly separate waste into designated containers.
Final Phase - Implementing Policies into Practice
Currently, Kamikatsu zero waste village has up to 80% of the waste being reused. This not only helps people learn how to recycle but also saves 1/3 of the incineration costs for the town. Besides, locals know how to recycle and reuse discarded items. The most typical example is turning kimonos into teddy bears for children. For unused furniture, locals will pass them on to those in need or simply exchange items with each other.
Unique Things Only Found in Kamikatsu Zero Waste Village
An intriguing aspect of Kamikatsu zero waste village is that residents highly embrace the Zero Waste lifestyle. This not only adds a distinctive charm to this small town but also brings a beautiful, green life to them. Below are some special points that you can only find in Kamikatsu zero waste village.
A Life Without Waste
Thanks to the professional waste processing system, Kamikatsu village does not need garbage trucks. People will complete all processes by themselves. Then, they just need to bring the waste to the environmental center for processing. These seemingly small actions have created a ripple effect. Many countries around the world have adopted and emulated this environmentally friendly processing model.
As recycling becomes more prevalent, revenue sources for business activities further develop. A prime example is the resort tourism model here that attracts thousands of tourists for sightseeing and shopping every year. Items recycled from waste such as shirts, bottles, and bags are highly sought after by many tourists.
Kuru Kuru Thrift Store
Instead of throwing unused items into the trash bin, Kamikatsu villagers can send them to the Kuru Kuru thrift store. Here serves as a storage warehouse for used items. Others can then come and take them for free. Those taking items only need to weigh the item and record the weight in a book for convenient tracking of recycled items.
Within just one month, an estimated 446kg of items were taken away - from flashlights, sake flasks, furniture to maternity clothes, study tools, toys... The weight and quantity of items will be directly displayed inside the store.
Villagers often visit the Kuru Kuru thrift store to exchange items for free (Source: Collection)
A unique aspect is that the entire interior of the Kuru Kuru store is also made from recycled materials. The floor is tiled with broken glass pieces. The windows and front door are all donated from villagers' homes. The 'giant' chandeliers hanging high are also made from glass bottles.
Handcrafted Brewery
The Rise and Win craft brewery has introduced 2 types of craft beer in the Kamikatsu zero-waste village. The ingredients are sourced from the farm's produce. Additionally, the brewery collaborates with various companies. The aim is to find ways to recycle food ingredients to produce pure beer.
The brewery in Kamikatsu village often uses recycled food ingredients to produce pure beer (Source: Collection)
Experience the 'super-clean' Hotel Why
It's no exaggeration to say that Hotel Why is an integral part of the Kamikatsu zero-waste village. This hotel is nestled in the forest, secluded from the outside world. When night falls, the stars in the sky at the hotel resemble a beautiful astronomical spectacle.
The Hotel is a place to stay that embodies the Zero Waste lifestyle (Source: Collection)
Each guest renting a room will be provided with 6 bins for waste sorting during their stay. The interior of the rooms is beautifully decorated with recycled materials. Notably, the patchwork quilt is made from denim scraps, and the wall curtains are crafted from ropes.
Food waste reduction method
The zero-waste Kamikatsu village always strives and devotes itself to reducing the burden of food waste. A prime example is the Polestar café, which serves only one dish for lunch, such as a curry made from local vegetables.
The Polestar café is a place specializing in serving vegetable-based dishes (Source: Collection)
Even ordinary leaves are used to decorate dishes. One notable company, Irodori, specializes in providing interior decorations made from forest leaves. Their handmade decorative products feature intricate designs and are often sold to upscale restaurants in Japan and some Asian countries. Irodori's goal is to create environmentally friendly items, making their business truly humane.
Environmental protection starts with simple actions! And the zero-waste Kamikatsu village has achieved certain successes in environmental protection. Hopefully, with Mytour's sharing, you can gain more useful knowledge in life. If you're planning a trip to Japan, don't hesitate to call Mytour's hotline Mytour! Mytour's staff will provide free consultation from A to Z for you.
