Nagisa MizunoWe cannot avoid seeing plastic everywhere at homes and in cities. According to the UNEP’s report, plastic packaging waste accounted for nearly 50% of the plastic waste generated globally in 2015. Among them, Japan is the second largest generator of plastic packaging waste on a per-capita basis after the U.S.
On the other hand, after 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle) Policies entered into force in 2000, Japanese companies have tried to reduce plastic packaging waste by using reprocessed plastic, thinning and designing environmentally friendly packaging. Their recent efforts include charging plastic shopping bags and replacing plastic with other sustainable materials.
Here, we will introduce three items made from natural materials to replace plastic.
World’s first wooden straw
Till date, we have straws made of plastic alternatives such as paper, stainless steel and pasta. Among them, a Japanese home builder Aqura Homes developed the world’s first wooden straws.
The wood straw addresses two issues in Japan: to reduce plastic waste and to utilize thinned wood. Around 70% of Japan is a forest area, 40% of which is planted forest. As trees grow, the overcrowded forest becomes weaker without getting enough sunshine and nutrition all over the area. To improve the growth rate or health of the remaining trees, thinning (removal of trees) is a necessary step.
However, due to the labor shortage in the forest industry and the increase in imports of cheap timber, planted forest in Japan has been left without proper management.
The world’s first wood straws were made to solve the two issues. Aqura Homes use sustainable timber from the forest that is properly managed and thinly shave it by using the traditional Japanese wood-working technique “Kanna.”
Wood straws can be durable for a few uses and give you a good soft touch feeling. Now you can find them at a cafe in the Capitol Hotel Tokyu in Tokyo. It has been getting more international attention, served at the G20 summit in Osaka held in 2019.
Other than wood, you should check barley straws and ceramic straws too.
Credit card made from Japanese lacquer
Lacquerware is one of the traditional artworks in Japan. The jet-black beauty has attracted many Europeans since the late 1500s.
Lacquer (Urushi) coating is, in fact, highly functional. It is biodegradable, having high strength and antibacterial action. Sadly, Japan has been dramatically losing the national production of lacquer, down to 2% due to lifestyle change.
To promote the production of lacquer in the country, non-profit organization Urushi Next developed cards made from hemp or cotton fibers with lacquer coating.
The Japan consumer credit association reports that there are more than 278 million new credit cards issued in Japan in 2018. We could reduce plastic and pass on the tradition at the same time if all the credit cards, other debit cards and membership cards are made with shiny lacquer. Above all, it will certainly give you a special feeling.
Food packaging made from agar
Do you know agar? Agar is a unique food invented in Japan. The main material is seaweed, which is natural and healthy food.
A Japanese major agar production company Ina Food Industry developed edible food films made from agar. It has many uses: single-use packaging to wrap each seasoning in instant foods for example. When baking, it can separate pie pastry and filling to prevent moisture of the filling from making the crispy pastry soggy.
Not only environmentally friendly, but the transparent sheet is also very flexible. It is thick enough to wrap food but softens easily in water. It is tasteless and odorless but rich in dietary fiber too. Furthermore, it is vegan, unlike gelatin.
As Japan is the second largest producer of plastic packaging, it would have a big impact on the environment and society if all the single-use food packaging are replaced with the edible film.
Using what we have in each local area
As we have seen, there are many alternatives to plastic in Japan. Besides the above three ideas, there is another item called LIMEX to replace paper and plastic with limestone.
There could be hints for a less-plastic lifestyle found in something around you.
［Related article］ The New Kid On The Plastic Alternatives Block: Barley Straws
［Related article］ World’s first ceramic straws: Mino Ware Straws
［Related article］ LIMEX is the new material to replace paper and plastic
［Reference］ The situation surrounding plastic in Japan and other countries
［Reference］ SINGLE-USE PLASTICS – A Roadmap for Sustainability
［Reference］ Japan Consumer Credit Association
