Kyoto’s tradition eco-evolution in Gion Festival Zero Waste Operation 2023

In an ambitious endeavor, the Gion Festival – a globally recognized event – has adopted a pioneering strategy to battle the waste crisis. The “Gion Festival Zero Waste Operation 2023” is transforming the festival’s footprint, incorporating reuse and recycling into the grand tradition that draws multitudes of visitors from around the world.

This innovative project began in 2014, the brainchild of collaboration between the non-profit organization Ecotone, Kyoto City, waste collection industry associations, and street vendor associations. The issue was clear: massive waste production, including an excess of food and drink packaging from ubiquitous festival stalls and local convenience stores.

Enter the army of eco-conscious volunteers – some 2,000 strong annually – who undertook the immense challenge of waste reduction. Their methods were simple yet effective: sorting waste, encouraging a switch to reusable dishes, and establishing Eco-Stations for waste collection. The result was nothing short of transformative – one of Japan’s largest waste reduction initiatives was born.

The focal point of the Gion Festival is the grand procession, the Yoiyama festival period. This spectacle sees food stalls extend across a vast area around Shijo-Karasuma, drawing droves of visitors. Historically, with the surge in festival-goers came a surge in waste. However, the project has rewritten this narrative.

In 2014, food stall owners played a pivotal role in the game-changing decision to replace roughly 210,000 meals’ worth of disposable tableware with reusable alternatives. The outcome? The amount of burnable waste plummeted from 60 tons to a mere 34, all achieved through the efforts of our dedicated volunteers.

Reusable tableware, the unsung hero of the festival, is primarily made of polypropylene, a material resilient to both heat and cold, and capable of surviving multiple uses. This ingenious solution has slashed the quantity of disposable container waste, concurrently driving down CO2 emissions, energy consumption, and water use.

This operation is not just about the Gion Festival. It emanates from the birthplace of the Kyoto Protocol, a city synonymous with environmental stewardship. This initiative isn’t just reshaping a local festival but stands as a beacon, demonstrating how we can revamp our lifestyles and environmental impact nationwide.

Such transformative measures are not only commendable but essential in the era of climate emergency. As the Gion Festival paves the way, the world watches and learns. As our traditional gatherings continue to adapt, we protect the traditions that make them worth celebrating in the first place.