Stopping overflowing garbage: Zero Waste Operation at Osaka’s Tenjin Festival

One of Japan’s iconic summer spectacles is its festivals, and in the Kansai region, two of the country’s three major festivals, the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka, hold special significance.

The sense of unity and exhilaration that festivals bring to people is truly unparalleled. However, behind the excitement, there are issues to address, such as the substantial amount of waste generated each year and concerns about manners.

To tackle these issues, efforts have been made during the Gion Matsuri and Tenjin Matsuri to reduce waste through the “Zero Waste Operation.” Citizens took it upon themselves to establish the “Tenjin Matsuri Zero Waste Operation Executive Committee” in 2017, with the goal of making Tenjin Matsuri a cleaner and prouder event for Osaka. They proactively developed mechanisms and practices to minimize waste. Additionally, similar efforts have been in place for the Gion Matsuri since 2014.

This report provides an on-site account of the Zero Waste Operation during the Tenjin Matsuri held in July 2023.

One of Japan’s 3 major festivals, Tenjin Matsuri, and its waste

The Tenjin Festival, held at Tenmangu shrines across Japan, especially the one conducted as a ritual at Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, is one of Japan’s three major festivals. Although the Tenjin Festival is now widely associated with the dedication of fireworks, it is a festival that represents Japan with over 1,000 years of history.

The number of open-air stalls at the festival is considered the largest in Japan, and the annual number of visitors exceeds one million. This year, which marks the first regular edition in four years, was expected to draw approximately 1.3 million attendees, despite having 300 to 400 fewer stalls than usual, totaling 1,000. Nevertheless, significant congestion and liveliness were anticipated.

During the Tenjin Festival, about 60 tons of garbage are generated over two days. This figure represents only confirmed data, and it is speculated that the actual amount could be much higher. Furthermore, not only the quantity but also the scattered litter on streets and squares is a serious concern and has been frequently covered in the news.

Most of the collected garbage is incinerated without proper sorting. Efforts have been made by various parties, including stakeholders, citizens, organizations and companies, to provide and offer trash bins and other materials, as well as the prompt removal and restoration of waste generated during the festival. However, these efforts have their limits, and the garbage issue is evolving into a problem that threatens the continuity of the Tenjin Festival.

What is Zero Waste Operation?

“Tenjin Festival Zero Waste Operation Executive Committee” is established to address the increasingly severe waste problem at the Tenjin Festival. Its objectives are to foster a shared sense of pride in the Tenjin Festival’s cultural significance among attendees, reduce waste, and ensure that everyone involved in the festival can enjoy it with comfort.

Installation of Eco Stations

On the day of the festival, Eco Stations are set up, with attendants present to encourage resource sorting and provide guidance to visitors. By engaging participants in sorting activities, the initiative aims to raise awareness about responsible waste disposal. Additionally, by promoting sorting, the presence of garbage bins is made widely known, helping to prevent the proliferation of litter.

Introduction of reusable tableware

Reusable tableware, which is collected, cleaned and reused, has been introduced to the festival. After use, the tableware is collected, contributing to a sustainable approach that minimizes single-use disposables.

1. Reusable tableware, which has been cleaned at washing facilities, is delivered to the event venue.
2. Food and beverages are served to attendees using reusable tableware at the stalls.
3. Attendees return the used reusable tableware to the stalls or designated collection points after dining.
4. The collected reusable tableware is transported to washing facilities, where it undergoes cleaning and storage.

Seven years ago, in 2016, it was observed that 40% of the waste generated at the same festival consisted of beverage containers. In response, the following year, efforts were made to distribute cups and tableware that could be sorted and reused at the stalls. This initiative resulted in 65% of the collected waste being eligible for reuse. This year, 16,000 reusable tableware items were distributed. The negotiation with the stalls was conducted on a volunteer basis, with each stall approached individually.

The collected dishes and other tableware items are subjected to cleaning at the Suita City Recycling Center and subsequently reused at other festivals.

Day of the event: Tenjin Festival main shrine

With no restrictions, this year’s Tenjin Festival was a much-anticipated event, and everyone in attendance wore expressions of childlike excitement, making it a joyful sight to behold.

Around 4 o’clock in the evening, as we exited from Keihan Tenmabashi Station and crossed Tenmabashi Bridge, we turned right to follow the path along the river. There, we spotted an Eco Station. Volunteers were preparing for what promised to be a hectic period, discussing procedures and tasks. When we asked for a photo, they kindly smiled for the camera. It was infectious, and we couldn’t help but return their smiles, offering words of encouragement, “Good luck!”

As we went to put items into the sorting bins, we were greeted with words of encouragement like “Enjoy!” It was heartwarming to experience this friendly interaction between people.

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Recyclable tableware was available in several food stalls, and it was up to the customers whether to return them to the recycling bins after use. We are curious about the actual collection rate (to be reported once the report from the Tenjin Festival Zero Waste Operation Committee is released).

The famous Tenjin Festival dedication fireworks, a tradition of the festival, also made a comeback after four years. Three thousand fireworks lit up the night sky. However, as the night went on, the crowds increased, and according to a friend who visited during that time, litter started overflowing onto the ground. We are also eager to see the official report from the committee regarding these observations.

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Awareness starts here!

Regardless of the actual numerical results of this year’s festival waste, the Zero Waste Operation itself is commendable. Many people were seen bringing containers to the collection boxes, and it was clear that the volunteers’ efforts and litter-picking activities had a positive impact, raising awareness about waste issues.

Even with these efforts, the challenge remains as the number of festival-goers and amount of waste both continue to rise. Perhaps offering visible incentives, such as discounts for bringing one’s own containers, could encourage a shift towards producing less waste. In any case, we hope that this initiative becomes more widely known, as it is a step in the right direction.

Originally published on Livhub.