Recycling is the process of turning waste into useful materials or products. While there are many other new methods like upcycling and repair, recycling remains as the symbol to strive for zero waste.
The pet toy industry has become keen to design products catered to the increasingly diverse lifestyles of pet owners in recent years. Some people also look for sustainable pet items. A Japanese cat play equipment brand, neuneko, released a cat tower...
Following the start of a new law in Japan on April 1 that aims to increase the circularity of plastic throughout its lifecycle, we look at one of Japan’s big areas of plastic use – food packaging. For many people, their image of Japanese food...
Global warming and climate change was something Oki Town in Kyushu’s Fukuoka Prefecture couldn’t ignore. The town announced “Climate Emergency Declaration” in 2019, and this spring they even created a roadmap to aim for a low-carbon...
Japan’s leading commodity store, Loft, has launched a recycling program for stationeries. This recycling program is based on a trial previously conducted by Pilot Corporation, which encouraged their customers to recycle their unwanted Pilot...
In recent years, the idea of circular economy has been gradually attracting attention in Japan. Circular economy refers to the closed circuit of consumption, where waste is not produced and additional resources are not introduced. To realize...
In Japan, when you get caught in a sudden rain, you can easily find an inexpensive plastic umbrella at any convenience store. They usually cost between 100 to 500 yen. If the rain stops on your way home, you may accidentally leave the umbrella...
What comes to your mind when you hear “ethical fashion”? Eco-friendly organic cotton clothes? Shirts made from recycled materials or bags handcrafted by locals? Don’t be surprised, but we have ethical fashion coming as far as...
What do you do with an old smartphone that you have replaced? What do you do to ensure your data remains private? To be honest, I’ve kept two old smartphones in the corner of my storeroom for years. I don’t mean to hoard e-waste...
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...