Kamikatsu’s Green Village

On the island of Shikoku, in the prefecture of Tokushima, the small town of Kamikatsu has made a name for itself for its ecological credentials thanks to its rigorous rubbish recycling programme. Since 2003, Kamikatsu has been recycling more than 80% of its rubbish, separating items into more than 40 different categories; dividing up paper from cardboard for example. Particular attention is paid to the state of the material recycled, plastic bottles have their paper labels removed, and food containers are rinsed of any remains.

This meticulous treatment necessitates the involvement of local residents who must take the time to check the cleanliness of rubbish items and bring them to recycling centres themselves. Many have also gotten into new, eco-friendly habits, giving away old or broken objects rather than throwing them out.

Even public architecture is now oriented to promote recycling. A new building constructed in 2015, housing numerous public services and collective life, has been built using various glass doors from houses across the village. Collected from locals who no longer had use for them, they were gathered together and remodelled to form a large bay window.