Kamikatsu, the municipality where rubbish is separated into 45 categories (to become the first with 0 waste)

In the Japanese village that we had already told you about Kamikatsulocated in the mountains of Shikoku, the inhabitants stand out for their commitment to a zero waste life. With a population of approximately 1,500 people, the village has implemented a unique waste management system, which requires residents to separate rubbish into 45 different categories.

This practice, although complex, has become an integral part of daily life, with the ultimate goal of recycle everything and minimize the use of incinerators. The initiative was born in 2003, when Kamikatsu declared its ambition to become the first Japanese municipality to reach the zero waste goal.

The push towards this goal was further accelerated after the closure of one of the local incinerators in 2000due to failure to comply with environmental standards. Since that time, the village has transformed its practices, shifting its focus towards recycling and reusing materials.

How waste is sorted

The waste sorting system includes several categories, such as pillows, toothbrushes, various types of glass and metals. Every family is responsible for cleaning and correct sorting of their wastefacilitated by a collection center and a detailed information leaflet. The inhabitants, despite the complexity of the process, have embraced this challenge with dedication, aware of the positive impact on the environment.

In addition to recycling, Kamikatsu promotes sustainable practices in various aspects of daily life. The village has established a Zero Waste Centerwhere materials are classified and compressed for recycling. The citizens here wash and dry bags, packages and containers to facilitate recycling.

In addition, many objects are disassembled to extract the parts and sort them correctly. There is also a shop free exchange for items no longer needed and ventures like craft brewery Rise and Win Brewing Co. use local resources sustainably.

Kamikatsu’s commitment goes beyond waste management. The Why Hotel, for example, promotes sustainable tourism with decorations made from recycled materials and bedspreads made from denim scraps. At CafĂ© Polestar, the limited menu helps reduce food waste, while sustainable mobility is encouraged with the use of shared cars.

Despite challenges, including a declining population and a high number of elderly people, Kamikatsu has achieved a 80% recycling rate in 2017much higher than the national average. This small village represents an example of how even small communities can significantly contribute to environmental sustainability, teaching practices that could also be adopted in larger urban contexts.