Upcycling in Japan

There are numerous ways to fight against climate change and reverse adverse global effects to daily human life. One major option for sustainability that is gaining traction in Japan’s fashion industry, as well as other areas of the market, is upcycling. The definition of upcycling has many great points that should be explained, as it is also important to describe its difference from recycling.

Definition: What is upcycling?
Difference between Recycling and Upcycling
Trend of upcycling in Japan
Statistics about waste in Japan and around the world
Upcycling case studies in Japan
Recommended articles about upcycling
Organizations promoting upcycling in and around Japan
Commonly asked questions about Upcycling

Definition: What is upcycling?

Upcycling is taking discarded or older pieces of material, from items such as clothing and furniture, to create new, valuable products. Thus the “up” in upcycling, as in having more value than the discarded status. Often, these products are usually considered to have greater artistic or environmental value.

Upcycling also advances a circular economy. A linear economy focuses on a consumer’s tendency to buy, use and then discard such items. On the other hand, creating a circular economy that reuses/circulates the material, and put them back into the economy. These materials can be restored to a number of different industries, including fashion, woodworking and manufacturing. Ideally, it also creates zero waste, because it changes our viewpoint that garbage is not garbage, but a resource. It is our wish to keep the resource in the economy for as long as possible.

Difference between Recycling and Upcycling

Both recycling and upcycling are related, but have specific meaning. Upcycling tends to take materials that may appear to be waste in order to make a superior product.

On the other hand, recycling has a more general coverage. Recycling is the umbrella term for putting old materials to new use. Besides upcycling, you may have heard terms like downcycling, horizontal recycling, or chemical recycling – all methods of recycling.

Often, there is a tendency to argue which is better: recycling or upcycling or other methods. However, each has their function to play, so it is not always useful to compare. For example, some materials have met with degradation, not suitable for upcycling, and has to be downcycled (recycling of degraded material) instead.

From old kimonos, into new shoes. (Image: ideasforgood.jp)

Trend of upcycling in Japan

As we can see from Google Trends, searches surrounding the topic Upcycling has been on the rise, especially from mid-2021. It lags behind in the awareness of SDGs, which rose from 2019. However, upcycling is finding foothold through Japanese aesthetics and creativity, making upcycling an appealing prospect for taking the old to make something new. It fits the Japanese value of “mottainai” well.

Statistics about waste in Japan and around the world

To promote upcycling (in fact, recycling!), we need to understand about our waste management. Here are a few facts:

Plastic bottles take around 4000 years to decompose. (Rubicon)
Although Italy is one of the world’s leaders in the world of fashion, the country averages approximately 465,925 tons of textile waste each year (Euronews)
High-income countries generate more waste, such as plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, and glass, that could be recycled. Those items listed account for 51% of waste. (World Bank)
The United States is the largest contributor of waste per capita worldwide with the average citizen producing an average of 808 kilograms per year. This is double than that of Japanese citizens. (Sensoneo)
21% of Americans upcycle clothing, boxes, and goods regularly (healtheplanet)
If garbage in Japan continues to be generated at its current pace, the country’s landfills will become full within 20.5 years as of 2018. (Nippon)
12.7 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean each year of which Japan is responsible for up to 60,000 tons. (mainichi)
Japan is also the No. 2 exporter of plastic waste. (mainichi)

Upcycling case studies in Japan

UZ Fabric: upcycling kimono to carry on tradition

UZ Fabric goes beyond upcycling to include an inspiring purpose: to pass on a kimono culture that will last for 100 years. With something as beautiful and intrinsically-made as the kimono, hand-me-down kimono are finding difficult to get new owners. UZ Fabric founder, Yuko Koterazawa, also wants the fabric to be worn more often. Thus, the upcycling of kimono into modern context is born.

Read about UZ Fabric here

Shimamura Musical Instruments: upcycling musical instruments

Ever wondered what happens to musical instruments when they get broken or damaged? Rather than repair, most are discarded and replaced. Shimamura Musical Instruments is a chain store for musical instruments, and they saw the need for environmentally consciousness in the industry.

Read about Shimamura Musical Instruments here

mame-eco: upcycling of coffee grounds

Even food can be upcycled! Food is a resource, and there is plenty of food loss and waste that needs urgent addressing. There is a project in Kyoto, mame-eco, where volunteers collect coffee grounds from cafes and hotels to give to local farmers, closing the loop for a circular economy. It is also a must-read for anyone wondering about the strength of the individual in creating change.

Read about mame-eco here

Organizations promoting upcycling in and around Japan

Ecology Upcycle Association of Japan (EUAJ) – A non-profit association engaging in environmental activities so as to reduce waste through upcycling technology. The association also supports principles arising out of the Sustainable Development Goals. EUAJ also holds training programs related to upcycling throughout various parts of the country, as well as a variety of other activities such as workshops for children.

Upcycle Japan Association – An organization that provides a vast amount of information regarding upcycling in and around Japan. Part of the Upcycle Japan Association’s main goals is to not only offer support toward a better environment, but also to encourage the Japanese government, local municipalities and companies to adopt upcycling techniques that further promotes the Sustainable Development Goals throughout Japan. An online shop is also available through its website.

Zero Waste Japan – A facebook group for those interested, as well as dedicated to, a waste-free lifestyle. The facebook group has an active user base of over two thousand and is updated daily with information and questions from inhabitants within Japan. This group is not limited to only upcycling, but endeavors to provide posts that help individuals live an environmentally aware lifestyle.

Commonly asked questions about Upcycling

What kind of materials can be upcycled?

It is possible to upcycle any type of material. The question would then be, “how?” Because the process includes planning what kind of new products will be made with the materials. Complex product designs will require specialists like designers or engineers to study the properties of the material, and whether it will match the function of the product made. Some materials may also need special equipment to extract for use. Ultimately, it is a creative exploration in finding uses for discarded materials.

Examples of upcycled objects

There are numerous examples of upcycling in Japan, including the above examples:

upcycling malt lees into craft paper
upcycling rice into washi (Japanese paper)
upcycling furniture
upcycling kimono into fashion accessories
upcycling ocean plastic into interior goods
upcycling discarded apples into leather for fashion
upcycling musical instruments
upcycling coffee grounds for circularity

How can a beginner upcycle?

Even with this much talk about upcycling, upcycling doesn’t need to be complex or difficult! Art and crafts are a great way to deal with material at home. A few wooden panels can become a photo frame. Disused paper can be used as wrapping. Creativity can turn plastic bottles into toys and decorations.