Doughnut economics is an economic model developed by Kate Raworth, who uses a doughnut as a metaphor for the framework of human prosperity. The hole of the doughnut represents the proportion of people that lack access to the essentials of life such...
After experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, Sendai-city in Miyagi prefecture has been working on creating a disaster-resilient and environmentally-friendly city. To do so, Sendai is strengthening city infrastructure and spreading...
Companies that specialize in disposable hygiene products are at the forefront of Japan’s progress toward adopting circular economy approaches. With the largest proportion of elderly adults in the world, Japan is experiencing an increasing amount of...
The first mobile phones were designed to be solely communication tools. Over time, technology has advanced and transformed how mobile phones are used today. Smartphones today also serve as our wallet, camera, planner and diary. They carry a lot of...
In Japan, waste disposal is managed at a municipal level. As in most Japanese cities, residents of Kamikatsu are responsible for sorting their household waste, but this town has 45 categories of garbage. Kamikatsu is a small town of 1,500 in Shikoku...
According to a 2018 report issued by the Ministry of Environment, 25% of Japan’s plastic waste is recycled. 57% goes through thermal recycling, which involves incinerating the waste to produce heat and electricity. Another 18% is either incinerated...
The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry showcased its new blueprint for circular economies, the “Circular Economy Vision 2020” report, with the aim of creating a virtuous cycle between the environment and economic growth. The report outlines the...
In emerging Asian countries, improving access to affordable housing in urban settings is a major concern. Slums often develop in cities with rapid rural-urban migration and tight housing supplies. As a result, in these informal settlements, dwellers...
One of the biggest challenges for developing countries to implement circular economy approaches is the lack of proper e-waste infrastructure. E-waste is a growing issue in West African countries like Ghana and Nigeria, where burning and dismantling...
Maximizing the lifecycle of raw materials is a major part of circular economy models. Pursuing innovation in this area provides multiple benefits at once, including improved economic stability, employment opportunities and a reduced negative impact...