Kamikatsu, Japan's zero waste community

In September of 2003, Kamikatsu, a small town in southwestern Japan with a population of about 2,000 residents, adopted a zero waste experiment. The plan is to produce no waste by 2020.

All residents are required to wash their recyclables, separate them into 34 different categories, and to compost all food waste. If an item is in good enough condition, it ends up at the Kuru Kuru recycling store, where residents can take whatever they please free of charge.



The Mayor, Kasamatsu Kasuichi, has urged politicians around the world to follow his example, and it seems like it has begun to catch on! GAIA, The Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives, is "Worldwide alliance of more than 650 grassroots groups, non-governmental organizations, and individuals in over 90 countries whose ultimate vision is a just, toxic-free world without incineration."

I have to admit, when I first heard about this a few years back, I thought that this would never last. I thought that people would never put up with the hassle. Now even the entire City of Austin has created a Zero Waste goal, though it is a more modest 90% reduction by 2040.
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It's so exciting to learn that at least some people are taking the initiative. I wish that I could, but I just don't have access to the necessary facilities, nor do the great majority of Americans.

If you want to start your own zero-waste experiment, why not begin with simple home composting! This Plastic GeoBin Composting System is only $29.99 from Home Depot, with free shipping!