Kamikatsu’s Zero Waste Center “WHY”: It’s finally complete

It’s the moment we have all been waiting for: the completion of Kamikatsu town’s Zero Waste Center. It’s been more than a year since we first heard of its plans. Now, the town’s efforts has come to fruition, and the execution is better than expected.

Why is Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center “WHY” so important?

To spur an idea, it needs a symbol for others to rally behind. The Zero Waste Center is that symbol for Kamikatsu’s goal as a zero waste town. It is not just a place where citizens come to sort out their waste as part of their zero waste lifestyle. The center is also a place where a community gathers, supported by the Center’s staff. It is where exchanges of ideas and solutions occur, and thus further soldering Kamikatsu town’s commitment towards zero waste.

It is therefore not a coincidence that Kamikatsu’s Zero Waste Center is named “WHY”. It reminds us to keep questioning: Why do we buy things? Why do we use them? Why do we throw them? Why do we (as a business) sell things? The question mark structure of the center is a deliberate decision to support this mindset.

Recycling center, Co-working Lab and Hotel WHY

The WHY structure is divided into 6 main zones, with two wide areas (the parking lot and the open field behind available for events). And the first two reveal how we can derive value from waste by separating, storing and reusing.

The first area is where the magic happens. Residents drive in and deposit their waste at the head of the structure. Kamikatsu town continues its waste separation into 45 different categories, and the corresponding bins are neatly arranged here. The staff are here to help guide and educate too.

By the way, there is no smell at all (save perhaps the scent of the forestry that surrounds WHY). The waste pieces are cleaned, and clear of food, stain or oil. Food waste is also not brought here, but composting is encouraged among the Kamikatsu residents.

Waste separation as both social and personal responsibilities

Separating waste 45 categories might sound overwhelming at first for us who are unfamiliar with how. But it becomes intuitive as we learn about the products, especially with staff of WHY’s help. This eventually provides useful insight for the next time we make purchases.

Furthermore, each category displays a placard that indicates if recycling brings profit to Kamikatsu town (eg metal parts), or becomes an expense (eg plastic packaging). The placard also informs where the waste will be sent to for processing. For example, metal bottle caps will be sent to another place in Tokushima prefecture to become new metal products. This allows citizens to learn what their waste will become, and what kind of impact they have on their town and the country.

Kuru Kuru Shop, Kamikatsu’s Reuse Shop

Not all waste is sent away for a second life though. Further down the head of the structure, the previous reuse shop Kuru Kuru Shop has made its home.

There is an outdoor section, where one can find used products, like baby strollers, kitchenware and interior decorations. The items here are free for residents to take home. If they do so, they are requested to weigh the product (weighing scales provided) and mark it in ledger. This helps the staff of WHY to keep track of the amount of reused products on a yearly basis.

There is also an indoor section, where products that are cleaned and require protection indoor care (like carpets and clothing) are placed. This is also where the reception for Hotel WHY is located (which we’ll explore soon).

Event hall and co-working space are available too

Going past the Kuru Kuru Shop and the pathway into the open field, is the Learning Center & Public Hall. It acts as a community space, equipped with a kitchen, seats and tables, and even a kids’ corner, where used toys and books are available for Kamikatsu’s children to play. Past the restrooms and laundromat behind the hall is the Collaborative Laboratory. Interested parties can use this area as a co-working space.

More than just an income model for the center, the spaces, including the hotel accommodation, are made specially for interested parties of Kamikatsu Town’s Zero Waste model. As a matter of fact, they have received queries from other countries too. The space will allow environmentalists, environmental-related organizations, schools and anyone who is interested in learning about the Zero Waste Center to gather and learn at Japan’s ground zero for zero waste.

Kamikatsu’s Hotel WHY

The circular structure at the other end is Hotel WHY. It offers 4 rooms, each able to accommodate two to four persons (two beds setup for first storey, two more on the second). Its simple exterior exudes an atmosphere of peace, with a circular opening at the middle to allow the natural elements in.

To avoid use-and-throw, environmentally friendly amenities are shared among roommates, provided by the ecostore. Even guests are involved in the zero waste action, as they cut pieces of soap for their own use, and are encouraged to bring home the leftovers to use.

Partnership is also strong with local businesses in Kamikatsu town. For example, the breakfast provided to guests are from local cafes from town, and the curtains are sewn in collaboration with a local factory.

Designing Kamikatsu’s Zero Waste Center

We mentioned earlier how WHY got its name, and the philosophy that goes behind it. That mindset is also seen in the building itself.

Utilizing local resources in Kamikatsu as building materials

The materials used for the building itself is cedar sourced from within the town itself, an abundant resource that is underutilized in Japan. Therefore building the Zero Waste Center provides both economic and environmental benefit.

Furthermore, waste resources were reused for the building and furniture. These resources included fittings, drawers, roof tiles and windows. The architecture is a sight to behold, which embodies the philosophy of WHY. There is memory in itself, which will be passed on to Kamikatsu’s future generations.

The transparency of waste

One will notice how open the recycling area is. There are no walls to provide privacy to waste management, which to some will consider as a personal matter. It is not a foreign thinking to want to retain privacy on what you are using from “prying eyes”.

However, the open concept wants people to reform that thinking. It is through a transparent, concerted effort that we can collectively act on achieving zero waste, and Kamikatsu town has shown us that it works. Rather than treating waste management as a private matter, the focus shifts to knowledge and community spirit. Eventually, Kamikatsu controlled its impact on the environment, spurred responsible consumption among its residents, and tightened the relationships in the town.

The outstanding 20%, and the conversation with manufacturers

Kamikatsu’s march towards a zero waste town is a testbed for a zero waste model. However, it turns out it is also a litmus test for how recyclable consumed products are in Japan.

The staff of WHY revealed that although its goal was to achieve 100% zero waste by this year, there were unforeseen limitations. Instead, it has achieved a rate of 80% zero waste (which is still impressive). The remaining 20% waste which could not be recycled included baby diapers, sanitary products, kairo heat packs (single use pocket warmers), complex products with a combination of materials, silica gel packets found with candy bags and more.

That is the outstanding 20% that not only Kamikatsu needs to overcome, but the rest of us also needs to solve. There are probably two solutions to this difficult 20%. One would be to invent technology that helps recycle them, for example perfect identification and separation of multi-material products. Another would be to make products that will be easy to manage at the end of their product lives.

Manufacturers’ role in making highly recyclable products

A key message of WHY is to encourage producers and manufacturers to think about how they are making their products. Zero waste action is not just a consumer movement. Manufacturers are important in the process of zero waste, as their products will be managed by their customers at the end.

Especially in Kamikatsu town, the perception is not whether the waste is combustible or not (which is the standard in most areas of Japan – combustible and non-combustible trash). Instead, the residents look at waste and think about how it can be recycled. Kamikatsu town is setting the bar for manufacturers to think about the materials and designs they use, so as to create highly recyclable products.

Going zero waste for the future of our children

Although the Kamikatsu’s Zero Waste Center WHY wants to appeal to environment-enthusiasts and manufacturers, Kamikatsu town is also thinking about the future of its children.

It is a rather wonderful thought that the children are growing up in a zero waste town. They have a knowledgeable grasp on the products they use and are apt at separation of waste. As such, zero waste is their norm. Having started life with a zero waste lifestyle, the children of Kamikatsu can have pride in growing up in a zero waste town.

And that is something we should be striving for: to have pride in creating a waste free future for our children, to have pride living a lifestyle that has minimum impact on the environment. Amidst the climate crisis we are facing, discouraging the use of plastic bags alone and slow policies is unlikely enough. On the other hand, Kamikatsu town’s commitment to zero waste is a model we can adopt. The Zero Waste Center WHY will continue to light our way there.

Editor’s note

Zero Waste Center WHY is still adamant on achieving a 100% recycling rate. Recognizing the remaining 20% as not an obstacle but an opportunity, it is now aiming for 100% rate by year 2030. With the center’s help, I expect Kamikatsu town to not only become a zero waste “brand”, but also the focal point of the promotion of SDGs, climate action and social good action. The journey is far from over, and Zenbird will continue to follow Kamikatsu town’s and Zero Waste Center WHY’s aspirations.