Sustainable WEEK in Yokohama promoting creative recycling for plastic waste

Circular Yokohama has launched a week-long event “Port Town Yokohama Loft Sustainable WEEK,” which runs from August 28 to September 4 at Yokohama Loft. The event centers around the theme of reducing CO2 emissions through the reuse of waste plastics, and showcases the city’s efforts to tackle marine pollution.

A highlight of the event is the traveling exhibit, the “YOKOHAMA CIRCULAR DESIGN MUSEUM,” which brings together a collection of circular economy items from within Yokohama. The exhibit, a mobile showcase of sustainability, allows visitors to see, touch, and learn about upcycled products, many of which are creatively repurposed from materials that would otherwise contribute to environmental degradation.

Among the items on display are fashion accessories from Kururi Workshop, made by upcycling plastic cards, wire cables, and vinyl umbrellas. The exhibit also features keychains made from broken carbon-plastic hockey sticks used by players of the Yokohama GRITS team, as well as a variety of products from Coco & K., crafted from discarded juice packs in the Philippines. Another standout is Kurofune Soap, produced locally using non-edible kelp and mandarin orange peels from school lunches.

The event also offers a range of activities designed to engage the public in the process of recycling and upcycling. For tomorrow and September 1, visitors can participate in a “material recycling experience” where they use a bicycle-powered shredder to break down plastic bottle caps into chips. The shredded plastic is then melted and cast into charms, which participants can take home. The event also features a “Circular Gacha” machine, where attendees can win a charm made from recycled materials by answering quiz questions correctly.

In addition to these activities, the event includes a Recycling Box Rally, encouraging visitors to explore Yokohama Loft and find three recycling boxes for cosmetic containers, textiles, and pens. Those who complete the rally will receive eco-friendly products as a reward.

Be sure to drop the exhibit a visit if you are in the vicinity, and see the creative ideas we can turn plastic waste into beautiful resource!

Event Details for “Port Town Yokohama Loft Sustainable WEEK”

Dates: August 28 – September 4
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (Some special activities have specific time slots)
Location: Yokohama Loft, 7th floor of Sogo Yokohama, Central Escalator Area