small_iclei.png

thumbnail_iclei.png

iclei.png


Circle Economy and ICLEI have partnered up to initiate the go to knowledge hub of case studies about the circular economy in cities. The Cities Collection is a repository of case studies that demonstrate the role of cities in the circular transition, and includes policies, business cases and research articles. Cases in the Collection flow into an ecosystem of digital products which support users in transitioning cities to circularity, for example [Ganbatte](https://ganbatte.world/cities/) and <a href="https://circulars.iclei.org/" target="_blank">ICLEI Circulars</a>, both part of the <a href="https://circulars.iclei.org/circle-lab-for-cities/" target = _blank">Circle Lab for Cities Programme.</a>




large_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

medium_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

small_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

thumbnail_Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

Circular-City-Actions-Framework-infographic-scaled_gray background.jpeg

Circular Cities

large_eugene-kuznetsov-swmakc2l4EM-unsplash_2.jpeg

medium_eugene-kuznetsov-swmakc2l4EM-unsplash_2.jpeg

small_eugene-kuznetsov-swmakc2l4EM-unsplash_2.jpeg

thumbnail_eugene-kuznetsov-swmakc2l4EM-unsplash_2.jpeg

eugene-kuznetsov-swmakc2l4EM-unsplash_2.jpeg

Policy case

Impact on the availability of resources as well as their effect on living organisms, ecosystems, and components of the environment.

Ecological Impact

Impacts on the social fabric of the community and well-being of the individuals and families.

Social Impact

Impact on increased knowledge and understanding as a result of the case study

Increase Awareness

Impact on the health and happiness of human populations

Well-being

Minimise waste through diversion: Instead of sending waste to landfill, it is redirected into other industrial processes for handling, treatment, recycling, recovery, or reuse in various forms. 

Minimise waste through design: At the outset of a process of project, plan and design such that there is zero waste or minimal waste during production, use, and at end of life. 

Minimise Waste (SDG12)

Societal Services

Collecting waste from households and businesses by means of refuse bins, wheeled bins, containers, etc., and providing treatment, incineration, materials recovery and reclamation, and disposal of hazardous and non-hazardous waste

Waste Management

Utilise waste streams as a source of secondary resources and recover waste for reuse and recycling

Use waste as a resource

Work together throughout the supply chain, internally within organisations and with the public sector and communities to increase transparency and create joint value

Team up to create joint value

Reuse, repurpose, and recycle waste streams within other industries

Valorise waste streams - open loop

Engage with the government on circular policies and programmes

Government collaboration

Collection programmes that process products and parts for reuse or recycling within other industries

Open loop collection

Participating in government programmes that support and advance the circular economy

Government programmes

'Inform' increases the overall levels of awareness and builds the necessary skills and knowledge around the circular economy to foster long-term change.

Inform

'Manage' influences the use and function of physical and material elements within the urban environment. 

Manage

Infrastructure

Develop infrastructure to support sustainable lifestyles

'Mobilise' sets the direction of and builds momentum towards long-term change, while also determining how this direction is determined and governed.

Mobilise

Visions and Ambitions

Roadmaps and strategies and targets

'Incentivise' sends market signals and support to businesses, citizens and governments to promote certain activities.

Incentivise

Public-civil partnerships

Raise awareness and run information campaigns about  strategies for and impacts of the circular economy in different contexts.

Communication and awareness

Awareness raising events

Develop infrastructure to support resource cycling

Economic Frameworks

Information campaigns

Redesign systems to lay the foundation for circular activities and enable the transition to a circular economy 

large_5R_Rethink.png

medium_5R_Rethink.png

small_5R_Rethink.png

thumbnail_5R_Rethink.png

5R_Rethink.png

Rethink

Eliminate waste by maximizing the recovery of resources at the end of the use phase so that they can be reintroduced into production processes


large_5R_Recover.png

medium_5R_Recover.png

small_5R_Recover.png

thumbnail_5R_Recover.png

5R_Recover.png

Recover

High-level changes to policy and practice (such as taxation systems, investment and procurement guidelines and criteria) that disincentivize activities that perpetuate linear economic systems, as well as vision-setting (goals, roadmaps) to catalyze
action on circularity across the city

Eliminate linear incentives and set goals and incentives for circularity

Ensure that household and business waste is collected and appropriately sorted (by type, label, etc.) to allow for maximum recovery of value.


Collect and sort waste to facilitate recovery

The circular potential of organic wastes is dependent on the quality and low contamination rate of the residual stream that is collected. Food and organic wastes are difficult to sort and separate post-collection, and as such, collecting organic wastes through a mixed collection are often limited to incineration or landfill. Therefore, collecting organic wastes through a separate collection system is key to unlock potential high-value management practices, for example, composting and anaerobic digestion.

Due to the strong influence over the operation of local waste management systems, local governments have a key role in the provision of separate organic waste collection systems throughout the city. Collections systems can vary to suit the specific characteristics of particular neighbourhoods and areas of a city. For example, areas with detached homes have more space for bins, while for apartments with less space, a communal receptacle may be more appropriate. Communication campaigns can help to raise awareness and encourage participation of residents to separate their organic wastes. 


large_nareeta-martin-FoG7PKNYjpM-unsplash.jpeg

medium_nareeta-martin-FoG7PKNYjpM-unsplash.jpeg

small_nareeta-martin-FoG7PKNYjpM-unsplash.jpeg

thumbnail_nareeta-martin-FoG7PKNYjpM-unsplash.jpeg

nareeta-martin-FoG7PKNYjpM-unsplash.jpeg

🍏  Separate organic waste collection infrastructure

Manufactured goods, such as vehicles, textiles, appliances and equipment and their associated production processes are big employers but:
- production processes often rely on fossil fuels and currently drive one-third of the overshoot on the climate change planetary boundary due to its GHG production, 
- material- and energy-intensive industrial activities are linked to deforestation and drive 15% on both the land use and freshwater planetary boundaries, 
- manufacturing goods results in substantial amounts of hazardous industrial waste and leaks chemicals into the environment.

Here, circular solutions must tackle the full value chain, but material demand must also shrink: this will necessitate a societal shift to favouring sufficiency over excess and reducing consumption to sustainable levels. Our four key solutions for manufactured goods are:
- Mainstream industrial symbiosis and efficiency : Achieve process improvements, scrap diversion and reduction in yield losses through greater industrial symbiosis and efficiency. Foster tighter collaboration within and between industries to deliver powerful material and emissions savings.
- Extend the lifetime of machinery, equipment, and goods: Maximise the lifetime of goods that serve our daily needs to bring a number of environmental benefits. 
- Buy what's needed: Reduce the number of purchases of common electronic goods, appliances, and other equipment to sufficiency levels. 
- Eschew fast fashion in favour of sustainable textiles: Drastically reduce new clothing purchases. All used clothing should go on to be repaired, reused or, if needed, recycled appropriately. Prioritise natural and local textile manufacturing, as well as higher-quality and more durable garments. 




👕📱 Consumer Goods

Businesses

Communities

Governments

When organic wastes are landfilled, the value and nutrients are lost and irrecoverable. Landfilling also causes additional environmental pressure, for example, the decomposition of food and organic waste in landfills emits greenhouse gases into the climate. Reducing the space required for landfills creates opportunities for better use. 

Local governments have an important role to play in the elimination of the landfilling of organic wastes. Municipalities with the legislative authority to do so can introduce legislation that bans organic wastes from being landfilled and fines non-compliance.

Municipalities can ensure that municipal organic wastes are collected and diverted from landfill by mandating certain processing techniques, for example, composting or anaerobic digestion. 
 


large_jacqueline-brandwayn-S8MSj5VzHxQ-unsplash.jpeg

medium_jacqueline-brandwayn-S8MSj5VzHxQ-unsplash.jpeg

small_jacqueline-brandwayn-S8MSj5VzHxQ-unsplash.jpeg

thumbnail_jacqueline-brandwayn-S8MSj5VzHxQ-unsplash.jpeg

jacqueline-brandwayn-S8MSj5VzHxQ-unsplash.jpeg

🍏  Phase out landfilling of organic waste

Mixed household waste - consisting of textiles, electronics, organic and other consumer goods - can be contaminated and difficult to separate, and hence limit the  recovery of materials and value.

Source separation reduces the upstream sorting cost and ensures that downstream recyclers receive clean feedstock, thus improving their ability to capture the value from post-consumer material streams. Source separation systems can take a variety of forms, such as providing a distributed network of collection points throughout a city for residents to drop off various types of waste materials. The most successful examples of this include: collection of electronics, plastics, waste oil, fabrics, metals, bulky goods, paper, cardboard, batteries, amongst others.

Local governments can support the implementation of the solution by developing and providing the necessary infrastructure throughout the city or engage in public-private partnerships to provide source separation systems. What is more, information campaigns can help to inform residents on which types of consumer goods can be recovered, and the most effective means of disposal. 


large_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

medium_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

small_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

thumbnail_14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

14958_cuida-la-punts-verds-8002-1024x682.jpeg

👕📱  Source separation and collection systems for consumer goods 

Cycle strategies aim to cycle and reuse materials at their highest value: they maximise the volume of secondary materials re-entering the economy, ultimately minimising the need for virgin material inputs and therefore also narrowing flows. Of course, virgin materials will always be needed to a degree: all materials degrade and can’t be cycled infinitely, use energy, and require blending with virgin materials to maintain strength and functionality.

Cycle

Impacts

small_climate-4803653_640.jpg

thumbnail_climate-4803653_640.jpg

climate-4803653_640.jpg

Industries

small_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

thumbnail_coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

coast-wind-turbine-sea-sky.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enabled and encourage the transition to the circular economy

Policy Instruments

medium_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

small_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

thumbnail_image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

image-20160922-22514-1aqaw5j.jpg

A framework of policy instruments that enable and stimulate the transition to the circular economy

The principles of a circular economy concern designing out waste, regenerating ecosystems and keeping items in use. Decoupling the economy from material flows—improving the rate of resource productivity faster than the economic growth rate—is also a consistent guide. By evolving with the growing number of applications of circular economy principles, and consolidating these strategies across thematic areas, Circle Economy’s Key Elements Framework (KE) renders the elements of the circular economy salient and serves as a basis to derive contextual strategies and interventions. 


The Framework consists of:
- Core Elements: Activities directly handling product or material flows; and uniquely,
- Enabling Elements: those that remove obstacles for core actors.


Key elements of the circular economy

large_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

medium_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

small_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

thumbnail_photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

photo-1515534238346-fb9ae3e399d0.jpg

Circle Economy's framework of strategies and activities that define the circular economy

The Circular City Actions Framework provides urban changemakers with five complementary strategies they can use to start working towards a more circular system. 

The framework is action-based to provide users with concrete strategic directions and showcase the desired outcomes of each strategy. 
The framework consists of five complementary **strategies**, under which **sub-strategies** provide further detail. Finally, each sub-strategy consists of a diversity of tangible **solutions** which are framed in relation to key thematic areas. 

Note: solutions are currently focused on:
- 🍏 **Food systems**
- 🏢  **Built environment**
- 👕📱  **Consumer goods**
- ⚡ **Energy Systems**
- 🚌 **Mobility Systems**
- 💧 **Water Systems**

More thematic areas are coming soon...

'Click through each of the five strategy cards below to explore the framework and circular economy case studies in more depth!'



This framework was developed in collaboration with ICLEI, Metabolic and Ellen MacArthur Foundation with support from the MAVA Foundation. Read more about it [here]( https://circulars.iclei.org/action-framework/). 



Circular City Actions Framework

An action-based framework for local governments working towards circular cities

Thematic Areas

City Stakeholders

![Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png](https://goldilocks-images.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/Screen_Shot_2024_10_21_at_16_53_12_12858da6aa.png)

Based on the work of [Bocken et al. (2016)](https://www.researchgate.net/publication/309699661_Product_design_and_business_model_strategies_for_a_circular_economy), the Four Flows Framework serves as a simple framework for managing resource flows in a circular economy by using less (Narrow), using for longer (Slow), using again (Cycle), and using clean, regenerative materials and energy (Regenerate).

These different principles of circular economy can be applied to our socioeconomic metabolism: we can design stocks like buildings, infrastructure, machinery, and vehicles to be rich resource mines for the future, and design manufactured goods and consumables to be cycled and made regenerative. Furthermore, the focus must also centre on getting more value out of fewer materials. Achieving the aims of a circular economy—minimising material use, regenerating the Earth, and preventing material losses—can be done through these four key strategies mentioned above.

Source: Circle Economy. (2023). *[The circularity gap report 2023](https://www.circularity-gap.world/2023)* (p.22). Amsterdam: Circle Economy. 

Four Flows Framework

medium_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

small_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

thumbnail_Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Screen Shot 2024-10-21 at 16.53.12.png

Kamikatsu is a rural mountain town in Japan with a serious social issue: its population is both ageing and shrinking. Once a town of more than 6,000 people, now there are 1,717 (as of April 2015) – and this is expected to dwindle to two-thirds that number over the next five years.
However, for the past 30 years – even before Prime Minister Shinzo Abe introduced “regional revitalization” in 2014 – the town has been developing its own unique and fun solutions. It has had remarkable successes, among them the implementation of a “zero waste” policy.
What is zero waste?
Zero waste is the vision to build a society that enjoys a sustainable rubbish-free lifestyle, with no need for incineration or landfill. The three Rs – reduce, reuse and recycle – are central to discussions about waste management, as are the four Ls – local, low cost, low impact and low tech. The science of waste management must be based on everyday life – and that’s why a small town such as Kamikatsu, which implemented 34 categories of waste separation and became a zero-waste pioneer, offers an example of best practice.
How did it all begin?
Kamikatsu is the smallest town on Shikoku Island, and the fifth-smallest town in Japan, at least in terms of population. Once, the townspeople burned rubbish outside their houses or dumped it on their farms. That was when there were no plastics to worry about and no culture of waste collection.
Once the Japanese economy changed and consumption of packaged, disposable goods was widespread, residents set up a landfill and open incineration space in the town. Everyone brought their rubbish, whatever it was, to the burning hole; a practice that continued until the late 1990s.
However, the town was under strong pressure from the national government to stop burning rubbish on an open fire and start using an incinerator. So the town built one. However, the model was soon banned following health concerns about the dioxins it produced. Not only did the town lose out by building a useless incinerator, but it lost money by having to pay large sums to use the facilities of a nearby town.
Degrees of separation
Kamikatsu had to come up with a new solution. It researched cases around the world and eventually focused on recycling, because by separating waste into categories, the residents realized they could turn it into a resource.
The town started with nine categories of waste separation; in 2002, the number of categories grew to 34. It’s the largest number in Japan, and most probably in the world. What is also significant is that all organic waste is managed within each household and recycled 100%. Many residents own their farms and make their own fertilizer; others buy the local compost, four-fifths of which is subsidized by the town office.
There are no rubbish trucks in Kamikatsu; people take their waste to the town collection centre and separate it into the various categories by themselves. Inside the centre, 60 different spaces and boxes help people to improve their sorting skills. Each space or box is labelled to show where it will be recycled, what it will become and how much it will cost (or earn) in doing so. The centre is visited not only by elementary and junior high schools but also students and organizations from all over the world. The town’s visitor numbers have shot up to more than 2,500 per year, as of 2014.
Recyclable versus burnable
Japan’s primary waste divide is between burnable and non-burnable. Considering the limited land space and concerns over sanitation, incineration is the nation’s preferred method of disposal. Thanks to its rapid technological development, Japan now has the world’s safest and cleanest incineration technology.
However, the development of a high-tech incinerator is encouraging the continuous production and consumption of “disposable” products. If we are to create a society with sustainable resources, we must find a way to prioritize recycling over burning. As well as, of course, expanding the range of action towards reuse and reduce initiatives.
The next challenge
In 2003, Kamikatsu declared its Zero Waste Ambition. Besides preserving the natural environment for future generations, the town aimed to:

Raise the ecological consciousness of individuals
Be producing no waste for incineration or landfill by 2020, by accelerating the reuse and recycle model
Forge links with like-minded communities around the world.

As of the beginning of 2015, Kamikatsu has been achieving a recycling rate of almost 80%. This is based on the waste coming into the collection centre, not the waste in all households, which would make the percentage even higher. The town also has a kuru-kuru shop (“circular” in Japanese), where residents can bring in used items and take things home for free. It also has a kuru-kuru factory, where local women make bags and clothes out of discarded clothes. The centre and these facilities are managed and operated by a local non-profit organization called Zero Waste Academy.
The next step is to prevent waste production altogether. This should involve not only the townspeople but also businesses, both in and out of town, involved in material production and supply. In 2015, the people of Kamikatsu created a roadmap for achieving zero waste by 2020. In working together and coming up with innovative solutions, they are already well on their way.
Author: Akira Sakano is Co-Founder and Communication Director of RDND LLC and a Global Shaper.
Image: Different coloured trash cans are seen in Brasilia June 14, 2014. REUTERS/Paul Hanna 
  License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.   The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.     A weekly update of what’s on the Global Agenda   

 The town of Kamikatsu is located in the Tokushima prefecture in Japan, and is known for its successful commitment to zero waste living. According to Business Insider, residents sort their waste into 34 categories at the town's waste center, a pretty tedious task that took some time to adjust to. But it has worked out so well for the citizens of Kamikatsu that they've extended their zero waste ethos into the brewing business.

 Treehugger reports on the birth of the Kamikatz Public House, one of several community-oriented buildings in the town, built by architecture firm Hiroshi Hakamura & NAP. The brewery is also a pub that sells general supplies and food to local residents (and lucky tourists). It is largely built from recycled materials, including its facade, which is made from reclaimed double-pane windows.

 The firm made an effort to reclaim pieces of the town itself to create the interior and exterior of the building, lining the walls with newspapers, using tiles from other buildings, and creating a custom chandelier from bottles salvaged from the area. In a statement, they refer to the declining population of Kamikatsu, but also its enduring values:

 "We gathered windows that illuminated the town in the past and dedicated our wish that they would serve as a lantern of hope to shine upon the town struggling with a declining population. The space is full of improvisation and discoveries with this creative combination of waste material for this architecture. The locals who gather at this pub are beginning to truly realize that their actions are fun and creative."
      Image: Green Matters      Rise & Win Brewing is just one of the latest to join the craft beer boom in Japan. Though craft breweries have long been trendy in the U.S., Japan's only recently taken interest in the industry over the past few years. And although they're relatively new at it, they're experiencing huge success. Osaka’s Minoh Brewerywon the World’s Best Imperial IPA award in 2013. The Coedo Brewery in Kawagoe won a silver in the “American-style amber lager” category at the 2014 World Beer Cup. 

 Rise & Win Brewing's eco-conscious twist makes it a little more unique and could bring a tourism boon to Kamikatsu, which has already put itself on the map with its careful stewardship of resources. You can watch more about how they do it here:
  Or visit the town yourself and have a beer.
   License and Republishing World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International Public License, and in accordance with our Terms of Use.   This article is published in collaboration with Green Matters The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World Economic Forum.     A weekly update of what’s on the Global Agenda   



 
 ごみを減らすために生ごみは個人で堆肥化し、それ以外のごみは分別することでできるだけ多くリサイクルに転換した。住民たちは分別したごみを、各自でごみステーションまで運び、常駐するスタッフが住民のごみ分別を手伝う。
日比ヶ谷ごみステーション
日比ヶ谷ごみステーション
ごみステーションのプレハブの中にある「くるくるショップ」には、子どもが成長して着ることができなくなってしまった子供服や「持ち主にとっては不要になってしまったけれど、まだ使える物」が並ぶ。くるくるショップがあることで年間約15トンの物がごみにならず再利用されているという。
日比ヶ谷ごみステーション内にある「くるくるショップ」
くるくるショップの中
こうして上勝町は、焼却・埋立する代わりに資源化することでごみ処理費の60%削減を実現した。しかし、推進していくためには行政だけの力では難しいということで、2005年にNPO法人のゼロ・ウェイストアカデミーが立ち上がった。
ごみを捨てるだけではない。地域のコミュニティ拠点となるごみステーション
「今、無人のごみステーションをやろうとしている動きは日本各地であるんです。しかし、上勝町がここまでゼロ・ウェイストを継続できている理由は、ごみステーションに常駐のスタッフがいることと、基本的に住民が直接ごみステーションへ来る、という2つに関係しています。」
そう話すのは坂野さんだ。ごみステーションがあることで、住民とスタッフはもちろん、住民同士のコミュニケーションの場所となる。それが住民の「じゃあ、やるか」というマインドにつながると言う。
しかしこれは逆に言えば、現場次第でもあるということだ。現場の職員が、いかに住民とコミュニケーションを取ってくれるかが鍵だという。伝え方ひとつで、住民の協力を得られるかも変わってくる。
上勝町の住民にとってごみステーションはもはや「ごみを捨てに来るための場所」だけではなく、「おしゃべりをする場所」であり、くるくるショップで面白いものを探す「楽しみを見つけるための場所」でもある。
そうやって住民に新たな価値観を提供し続ける上勝町。課題先進地域として、現状に満足することなく次々と新たな取り組みを始めている。ここではその事例を紹介しよう。
「来たくなる」ごみステーションに
上記で紹介したゼロ・ウェイスト活動の拠点である日比ヶ谷ごみステーションは設置から20年以上が経過した。そして視察や観光客も多くなってきた現在、上勝町はごみステーションの壮大なリニューアルを行う。
「ごみを捨てに来た住民の方が、『今は視察の人が来ているからまたあとで来よう』と帰ってしまうこともあるんです。」と、菅さんは視察者が増えたことによる住民目線での問題を話した。そこで住民がごみを捨てやすくするための環境をつくる工夫や、もっと深く上勝町のゼロ・ウェイストに対する取り組みを伝えたいという要望に応えるべく、2020年の春に新たなごみステーションとして複合施設「ワイ（WHY）」をオープンする。
施設の中には、視察者向けの宿泊施設やゼロ・ウェイスト関連のスタートアップが入れるコワーキングスペース、地元の人々の交流スペースなどが設けられる予定だ。コミュニティにすることでただごみを捨てるだけでなく「来たくなる」場所にするという、ごみステーションの定義を変える構想だ。
2019年1月現在、代表取締役社長も募集している。
上から見ると「？」の形になっている Image via WHY　
建築には上勝町で伐採された杉材、不要になった建具や家具などを活用している　Image via WHY　
Image via WHY
地域を潤すためのゼロ・ウェイスト認証制度
そして視察者への取り組みとして上勝町とゼロ・ウェイストアカデミーが新たに設立した制度がある。飲食店を対象に独自の基準で公的に認証する「ゼロ・ウェイスト認証制度」というものである。項目には「地産地消による包装・容器の削減」や「再利用できる容器による資材調達」などの6つの審査基準がある。この認証制度は1年更新となっていて、更新の際や新しいスタッフが増えた際にゼロ・ウェイストアカデミーが研修を行う。
この認証制度の背景としてお店のゼロ・ウェイストの取り組みを評価して発信し、それがブランド価値になってほしいという想いがもちろんあるが、この認証制度の趣旨は大きく2つある。
1つ目は、外からきた人に町内へお金を落としてもらうこと。上勝町には年間多くの視察者が訪れるのにも関わらず、市内からそう遠くない距離にあるためごみステーションを見て話だけを聞いて帰ってしまう人も多いという。しかしこの「認証店マップ」があることで、町に訪れた人が視察後に飲食店に寄るきっかけをつくっている。認証をとればとるほど飲食店が繁盛する仕組みだ。
Image via ゼロ・ウェイストアカデミー
2つ目は、消費者の声を大きくすることだ。「消費者側を教育しよう」というのは長年言われ続けてきたことだが、キャンペーンなどで一人一人の買い物を変えようと呼びかけるだけでは住民の意識は簡単には変わらないのが現状である。そこで坂野さんが考えたのが、お店側も、実は仕入れをする「消費者」であるということ。お店自体が取り扱う商品を変え、「なぜその商品を使っているのか」「なぜ、その商品を使わないのか」ということをお客さんに伝えていくというような、お店側を「コミュニケーションのハブ」として捉える。それが仕入れ元である生産者に響くようになればいいというのがこの認証制度の大きな狙いだという。
ゼロ・ウェイスト認証店である「RISE & WIN Brewing Co. BBQ & General Store」
落ち着いた店内。建物は廃材をリメイクしてつくられている
お店では紙ストローを使用し、プラスチックごみの発生抑制に取り組んでいる
ごみを出さない量り売り
上勝町の飲食店では、量り売りのサービスを徳島県の事業として少しずつ行っている。何でもかんでもパッケージされたものではなく、住民に「最初からごみが出ない買い方もある」という選択肢を提供することが目的だそうだ。
小売主体のお店で量り売りをするには、在庫や衛生管理、販売する際に人がいないといけない等のリスクや手間があるため、大規模なスーパーで取り入れることはなかなか難しい。しかしそれが飲食店であれば、基本的に自身のお店で仕入れてるものは「使う前提」であるため、残った商品がロスになることがない。そこが、小売との圧倒的な違いである。そのため、まずは飲食店でお店の仕入れの範囲内での量り売りから始めてもらうほうがスタイルを変えやすいのではないかと坂野さんは考えた。
「RISE & WIN Brewing Co. BBQ & General Store」の量り売り
上勝の問題は、上勝だけでは解決しない
「上勝だけが変わっても意味がない。」
そう、坂野さんは言う。ごみを減らすというのは上勝町だけでできることではないからだ。
たとえば今後上勝町は高齢化も進み、多くの住民が「そもそもごみステーションまで行けない」というような問題に直面する。この問題を解決するためには、「ごみ問題」というテーマを解決するというよりも、地域全体で交通の問題にどうアプローチしていくのかを考えなければいけない。
現状、上勝町内のお店がどんどん少なくなっているため、住人の7割以上は徳島市内へ買い物に行くのが現状だ。どれだけ上勝町の飲食店が頑張っても、上勝の住民が市内で買い物をする限り意味がない。ある種、これが上勝町の限界でもある。
いかに上勝以外の人々も巻き込んで関わる人々の意識を変えられるかと、町が萎んでいくのと、どっちが先か。上勝町の挑戦は続く。
日比ヶ谷ごみステーション
編集後記
ごみ回収車が走り回る都市部での生活。ごみ箱に捨てたごみは一体どこへ行くのか考える人はどのくらいいるのだろう。しかし今、町の「生存戦略」としてそれを考えざるを得ないという状況が、上勝町だけではなくあらゆる地方で起きている。
「行政の英断は、宣言をしたことだ。言ってしまったら、もうやるしかない。」坂野さんの言葉が印象に残っている。
上勝町のゼロ・ウェイストな町づくりは世界でもトップクラスであるが、過疎・高齢化でも先進地である。この厳しい状況の中、今後どんなゼロ・ウェイスト戦略を行っていくのか、今、世界が上勝町に期待している。全国各地の地方が今後直面していくであろう問題に、どう対処するべきなのか。そのヒントが、上勝町にはある。
【参考サイト】WHY-Kamikatsu
【参考サイト】ゼロ・ウェイストアカデミー Tagged with: ソーシャルグッド, 包装ゼロ, プラスチックごみ, 社会, Social Good, 地域コミュニティ, 廃棄物削減×ゼロ・ウェイスト, 過疎化, ゼロウェイスト, プラスチック製ストロー, 少子高齢化, 地域活性化, 徳島特集  


	IDEAS FOR GOODメルマガに無料登録して、人気記事まとめやイベント情報をGETしよう！
詳しくはこちら 

   
 

Tokushima

large_blob

medium_blob

small_blob

thumbnail_blob

blob

Garbage station that serves as a local community base and makes you want to come


Zero Waste Center

A not-for-profit environmental organization that is helping the small Japanese town of Kamikatsu to become waste-free.

Zero Waste Academy

Municipality of Tokushima

<p>Already in 2003, Kamikatsu declared its Zero Waste Ambition. Despite all challenges it has had remarkable successes. In 2015, Kamikatsu had already achieved a recycling rate of almost 80 percent and by then they had created a roadmap, working together with locals and businesses, aiming zero waste by 2020.</p>

Kamikatsu, the first almost zero waste municipality in Japan

<p>The Japanese town of Kamikatsu (Tokushima Prefecture) declared its "Zero Waste Ambition" in 2003. Despite challenges, it has had remarkable successes. In 2015, Kamikatsu had already achieved a recycling rate of almost 80% and created a roadmap, working together with locals and businesses, aiming for zero waste by 2020.&nbsp;</p>