Kamikatsu’s transformation began after decades of open-air waste burning left the environment polluted with smoke and toxins. In response, the town adopted a meticulous waste-sorting system that initially started with nine categories before expanding to 45 categories today.
The town has no garbage trucks and residents are encouraged to bring their waste to a Zero Waste Centre and separate it themselves at different stations that correspond with each of the waste categories.
The town’s goal of eliminating waste without relying on incinerators or landfills was set in 2003, when it launched the nonprofit Zero Waste Academy and became the first municipality in Japan to make a formal “Zero Waste” declaration. By 2020, the town was recycling 81 per cent of all its waste, far above Japan’s national average of 20 per cent.
In true circular economy thinking, the first step in the town’s waste process is not disposal but reuse, with items directed to a free thrift store called the Kuru-kuru store (a Japanese phrase meaning “to go round and round”). Clear signage helps residents understand where each item belongs, how it will be reused or recycled and what the costs are.
Even the Zero Waste Centre was designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating wood cutoffs and windows donated by the community. The flooring is made from recycled materials and several fixtures were salvaged from abandoned buildings. Even the signage in the centre is crafted from recycled materials.
“We wanted to create an architecture that would be in tune with their behaviour and sensibility, always thinking and acting in ways that would allow them to reuse the waste instead of throwing it away,” said architect Nakamura.
At first, implementing the system was a challenge as it was a struggle to prepare and sort trash for some residents. Over time, however, these difficulties were overcome as residents were awarded points that could be exchanged for eco-friendly products.
Beyond better recycling habits, the program also encourages behaviour changes as the town works with local manufacturers to help reduce waste and advise residents to either avoid using single-use items, or, if necessary, buy products that can be disposed of easily. The sheer effort required to deal with trash, meanwhile, is seen as a deterrent for excessive consumption.
New residents are also embracing the system, with young people from across Japan and beyond moving to Kamikatsu, drawn by its values and way of life.
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