Kamikatsu Zero-waste Center (also known as "WHY") is a
waste management and
materials recovery facility
A materials recovery facility, materials reclamation facility, materials recycling facility or Multi re-use facility (MRF, pronounced "murf") is a specialized plant that receives, separates and prepares recyclable materials for marketing to end-u ...
that recycles over 80 percent of the waste produced in
Kamikatsu,
which is much higher than the 20 percent average in the rest of Japan. It is at the center of what ''
The Washington Post'' describes as an "ambitious path toward a zero-waste life".
History
* May 20, 2020 – Opening.
* April 16, 2021 – Received the
Architectural Institute of Japan Award for Best Work.
* January 24, 2021 – Received Grand Prize for the
Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications's Furusato Zukuri Awards.
Facilities
Made predominantly using waste materials such as used windows, the facilities are in the shape of a
question mark.
* Waste separation station, stock yard.
* Kuru Kuru Shop, a
reuse
Reuse is the action or practice of using an item, whether for its original purpose (conventional reuse) or to fulfill a different function ( creative reuse or repurposing). It should be distinguished from recycling, which is the breaking down of u ...
shop.
* Learning center.
* Laundromat and restrooms.
* Collaborative laboratory.
* Hotel WHY, where guests experience the town's recycling system.
Zero-waste policy in Kamikatsu
Kamikatsu is a "
zero waste" town, all household waste is separated into 45 different categories and sent to be recycled. In 2008, a poll showed that 40 percent of residents were still unhappy about the aspect of the
policy that required items to be washed. But the town continues the policy as it is cheaper and more environmentally friendly than purchasing an
incinerator
Incineration is a waste treatment process that involves the combustion of substances contained in waste materials. Industrial plants for waste incineration are commonly referred to as waste-to-energy facilities. Incineration and other high ...
. The town recycles about 80 percent of its waste, compared to 20 percent in the rest of Japan, which is still relatively high compared to the USA at 9 percent and the Philippines at less than 5 percent, according to a Rappler article. The town has set a goal to become fully zero waste by 2020.
Architectural awards
* 2021 –
Architectural Institute of Japan Award for Best Work
* 2021 –
Japan Institute of Architects
The Japan Institute of Architects (JIA; , ''Nihon kenchikuka kyōkai'') is a voluntary organization for architects in Japan, and an affiliated organization of the Union Internationale des Architectes (UIA). The institution was founded in May 1987 ...
Environmental Architecture Award
* 2021 –
Dezeen
''Dezeen'' is an online architecture, interiors and design magazine based in London, with offices in Hoxton and also previously in New York City.
History
''Dezeen'' was launched in London by Marcus Fairs at the end of November 2006. Its New Yo ...
Awards, sustainable building of the year
[{{Cite web , title=Kamikatsu Zero Waste Center {{! Shortlist {{! Dezeen Awards 2021 , url=https://www.dezeen.com/awards/2021/shortlists/kamikatsu-zero-waste-center/ , access-date=2022-07-26 , website=Dezeen , language=en]
References
External links
Kamikatsu Zero Waster CenterKAMIKATSU ZERO WASTE CENTER – Hiroshi Nakamura & NAP
Waste management
Recycling in Japan
Waste treatment technology
2020 establishments in Japan
Kamikatsu, Tokushima