NARRATOR: In this small Japanese town,

residents take the concept of recycling very seriously.

KAZUYUKI KIYOHARA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

NARRATOR: They separate their trash

into a whopping 34 categories.

KAZUYUKI KIYOHARA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE

NARRATOR: Welcome to Kamikatsu, Japan, the zero waste town.

HATSUE KATAYAMA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

NARRATOR: Hatsue Katayama diligently separates her waste

according to Kamikatsu's rigorous, zero waste program.

HATSUE KATAYAMA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

AKIRA SAKANO: In the very beginning,

Kamikatsu was doing open incineration.

But people could see that's really

hurting the environment at the same time

the health of the people.

So general waste was created.

NARRATOR: Since the program began in 2003,

80% of the town's garbage gets recycled, reused, or composted.

The rest goes to a landfill.

But by 2020, the goal is to be 100% zero waste.

HATSUE KATAYAMA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

AKIRA SAKANO: It's been very tough,

in a way, to gain the understanding of the people.

Of course, when they had to separate garbage

into 34 categories, which is massive, it's really tough.

NARRATOR: Residents must washed, clean, sort, and then

bring all of the materials to the city's recycling center

where monitors such as Kazuyuki Kiyohara

make sure it's being done properly.

[SPEAKING JAPANESE]

KAZUYUKI KIYOHARA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

NARRATOR: Signs on each of the bins

tell consumers what their trash will be recycled into,

and how much that process can cost or earn the community.

HATSUE KATAYAMA: [SPEAKING JAPANESE]

NARRATOR: The town has what's known as a [JAPANESE]

shop, meaning circular, were residents can bring in and take

used items for free.

There's also a factory where local women make products out

of discarded items.

AKIRA SAKANO: We have lots of old kimonos

or old clothes or these flags not used anymore.

So we asked all these grannies, who really

had the skills for the sewing.

Then they made it into a craft like teddy bears or bags,

or what I'm wearing right now, as well.

It's made out of all these fish flags

that we celebrate and use for the Children's Day.

NARRATOR: Businesses all over Kamikatsu

have incorporated ways to become zero waste.

AKIRA SAKANO: We are cutting, by doing the recycling, the cost

into one third compared to when we actually burned everything.

We are trying to focus more, and totally change our lifestyles,

to not to produce any waste.

Even in this small town with only 1,700 people,

everyone looks up to each other.

And they look after and take care of each other.

So this kind of supporting system

that was in the community really helped

for the implementation of the zero waste.

NARRATOR: Let us know if you have

any unique tips for reducing your environmental impact

in the comments below.

And be sure to check out this next episode.

SPEAKER: Two years of trash in this tiny little jar.

In my values are having a really low environmental impact.

I have to live like I want that.

And so that's why I decided to change my lifestyle.

NARRATOR: Thanks for watching Seeker Stories.

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