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  4. A town in Japan wants to eliminate all of its waste, so it built a stunning recycling center out of trash

A town in Japan wants to eliminate all of its waste, so it built a stunning recycling center out of trash

Joey Hadden   

A town in Japan wants to eliminate all of its waste, so it built a stunning recycling center out of trash
Koji Fujii/TOREAL
  • Kamikatsu, the first town in Japan to create almost no waste, built a recycling center out of trash.
  • It's constructed from donated windows, remnant wood, plastic containers, and other unwanted items.

Welcome to Kamikatsu, the first town in Japan to produce almost no trash and the home of a stunning recycling center made almost entirely out of upcycled materials.

Welcome to Kamikatsu, the first town in Japan to produce almost no trash and the home of a stunning recycling center made almost entirely out of upcycled materials.
An aerial view of the Zero Waste Center in Kamikatsu, Japan.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

Kamikatsu issued a Zero Waste Declaration in 2003, and today, more than 80% of its trash is reused or recycled, a representative from architecture firm Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP told Insider.

Kamikatsu issued a Zero Waste Declaration in 2003, and today, more than 80% of its trash is reused or recycled, a representative from architecture firm Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP told Insider.
The exterior of the town center.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

With the goal of keeping its trash out of landfills and incinerators, the town commissioned Hiroshi Nakamura to design the Zero Waste Center, a sustainable community center with recycling facilities, a reuse shop, community space, and a hotel.

With the goal of keeping its trash out of landfills and incinerators, the town commissioned Hiroshi Nakamura to design the Zero Waste Center, a sustainable community center with recycling facilities, a reuse shop, community space, and a hotel.
The other side of the facility.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

According to the architecture firm, the center was primarily built from remnant wood logs and cuttings.

According to the architecture firm, the center was primarily built from remnant wood logs and cuttings.
A closer view of the facility shows the logs used.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

And the community also donated the 700 windows that are patched together across the facility's facade.

And the community also donated the 700 windows that are patched together across the facility
The exterior of the building.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

Aside from donations, community members sourced materials from deserted houses, a former government building, and a closed school, according to the firm.

Aside from donations, community members sourced materials from deserted houses, a former government building, and a closed school, according to the firm.
Reused items on the exterior of community buildings.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

The town repurposed recycled glass and pottery to make tile floors and donated materials like bricks and fabric to build the interior spaces.

The town repurposed recycled glass and pottery to make tile floors and donated materials like bricks and fabric to build the interior spaces.
A community hall at the zero waste facility.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

Outside, a horseshoe-shaped area is used to organize waste into reusable and recyclable materials.

Outside, a horseshoe-shaped area is used to organize waste into reusable and recyclable materials.
The horseshoe where trash is organized is seen.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

And reusable items are sent to the reuse shop, where everything from dishes to accessories is free, according to the architects.

And reusable items are sent to the reuse shop, where everything from dishes to accessories is free, according to the architects.
The community's reuse shop.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

Next to the reuse shop, there's an office space where harvest containers from a mushroom factory have been transformed into bookshelves.

Next to the reuse shop, there
The office space in the zero waste facility.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

The center also has a hotel where visitors can get a chance to see what it would be like to live without waste, according to Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP.

The center also has a hotel where visitors can get a chance to see what it would be like to live without waste, according to Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP.
The inside of a hotel room on the property.      Koji Fujii / TOREAL

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