Nestled in the mountains of Tokushima Prefecture, Kamikatsu is a small town that has gained international recognition as a Zero Waste Mecca. This rural village has set ambitious goals and made remarkable strides in waste management, becoming a beacon of sustainable living.
The journey towards zero waste in Kamikatsu began in the early 2000s. Faced with the closure of incineration facilities due to stricter environmental regulations, the town had to find a sustainable solution for its waste management. In 2003, Kamikatsu made a bold commitment to achieve zero waste by 2020, aiming to eliminate the need for incineration and landfills.
In 2003, Kamikatsu made its Zero Waste Declaration, pledging to eliminate waste by 2020. Although the town has not completely achieved zero waste, it has made remarkable progress and continues to strive towards this goal. The declaration has become a symbol of the town’s commitment to sustainability and a guiding principle for its residents. More or less everyone in the town is involved in ‘waste issues’, and new solutions and improvements are always on the agenda for the inhabitants of this little divine village.
A waste station in Kamikatsu is a designated area where residents bring their sorted waste for further processing. These stations are equipped with bins and containers for 45 different categories of recyclables. Volunteers and staff at the waste stations assist with sorting and ensure that materials are properly processed.
The innovative recycling system in Kamikatsu is community-owned and managed by the residents, with strong support from local government and environmental organisations. The commitment and cooperation of the townspeople are the driving forces behind its success.
Central to Kamikatsu’s recycling efforts is the Zero Waste Centre, a facility that serves multiple purposes. It includes a comprehensive recycling station, where residents meticulously sort their waste into the 45 different categories. Adjacent to the recycling centre is the Zero Waste Hotel, a unique accommodation designed with sustainability in mind. The hotel features eco-friendly architecture, and guests are encouraged to participate in the town’s recycling efforts.
Kamikatsu’s recycling system relies on rigorous sorting by its residents. Each household is responsible for separating their waste into the designated categories, before bringing it to the recycling centre. There, volunteers and staff further sort and process the materials. This meticulous system ensures that the majority of waste is recycled or repurposed.
Most citizens of Kamikatsu are fully on board with the zero-waste initiative, and the residents take pride in their contribution to a sustainable future. Educational programmes and continuous community involvement have been the key to achieving high participation rates. Kamikatsu is the least populated town on the island of Shikoku, and its small population [1] helps facilitate community engagement.
Kamikatsu collects significant quantities of recyclable materials, managing to divert about 80% of its waste from landfills and incineration. The detailed categorisation of 45 different materials – including various types of paper, plastics, metals, and organic waste – maximises the efficiency and effectiveness of recycling.
The town has established a Zero Waste Learning Centre, which serves as an educational hub for visitors and residents alike. It offers workshops, seminars, and hands-on activities to teach sustainable practices. Kamikatsu also hosts study visits from around the world, sharing its model with other communities and inspiring global action.
The educational programme in Kamikatsu is comprehensive, targeting all age groups. It includes school programmes, community workshops, and public awareness campaigns. These initiatives aim to instil a deep understanding of zero waste principles and the importance of sustainable living.
Kamikatsu remains dedicated to the zero waste philosophy, continuously seeking innovative solutions and improvements. The town’s future plans include further reducing waste, enhancing recycling technologies, and expanding educational outreach. Kamikatsu aims to become a fully sustainable community, setting an example for the world.
Kamikatsu’s journey towards zero waste is a testament to the power of community action and sustainable practices. The town’s innovative recycling system, strong
community involvement, and commitment to education make it a model for other communities. Kamikatsu continues to inspire and lead the way in the global movement towards a zero waste future.
Is the Kamikatsu project and its methods possible on a larger scale? I doubt that this can be scaled up to cities of a million or larger. It requires an enormous commitment from every individual and company if it is to succeed. Do people really want to get so deeply involved in the holy grail of garbage? My answer is no. I believe in more technical solutions for large scale systems, where we are already witnessing a steady and rapid development of Artificial Intelligence and apps. For this, we must have consistent and robust legislation, modern logistics solutions, and all of this must be packaged in the form of simplicity. If it is complicated, the system will fail for many different reasons: mis-sorting, dumping, and lack of involvement from citizens.
We have a long way to go, but we began many years ago and we will not turn back. The Zero Waste Road is paved, and here we come.
We were an international group that spent a few hours at this great place. It was a boost to see it, and a boost to see the glittering eyes and happy faces of our crew. We were received by the lovely Miss Momona, who gave us an introduction and guided us around. This was a day when heavy rain and loud thunder hit us hard. But, as always, the sun soon warmed us with hot beams. In the thrift store, people went nuts – starting to buy and collect all kinds of items. Suddenly we became consumers. But the items were second-hand, and we prolonged the life of a lot of materials – as per the zero waste principle of keeping items as long as possible in the sustainable loop.
This was a study visit worth its name. A very BIG thanks to Momona and her tribe – fantastic job done, and we love it. We left Kamikatsu with a smile, feeling sure that reaching zero waste is possible. Or at least, that we can come darn close.
From the desk of Pal Martensson ©
Read more at: www.zwtk.jp
[1] As of 1 June 2022, the town of Kamikatsu had an estimated population of 1,431 in 750 households and a population density of 13 persons per km2. The total area of the town is 69.85 square kilometres (26.97 sq mi).
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