Respect Mother Nature
What Japan does to conserve energy and protect nature
I was a stranger in my motherland.
A lot has changed since my previous visit to Japan four years ago. The pandemic, economic downturn, and declining public safety motivated the country to shift its direction.
Add environmental issues to the mix. With about 125 million people crammed in a country smaller than California, Japan is twelve times more densely populated than the U.S.* Landfill shortage is a serious concern, and so is energy dependency.
I was impressed by the changes the country implemented to promote sustainable development. Here is what I noticed:
- No free plastic shopping bags
Customers bring their own shopping bags to supermarkets, convenience stores, and department stores. The stores offer plastic bags with nominal fees, which most customers decline. - No trash bins in public areas
Trash bins disappeared from train stations, storefronts, restrooms at commercial facilities, and other public areas. I quickly learned to carry small disposable bags, collect whatever trash I generated throughout the day, and bring them back to a hotel room to dispose of. You may imagine littered streets without trash bins, but I didn’t see a single piece of rubbish wherever I went in Japan. The country was always known for cleanliness. It is now in the highest category of “impeccably clean.” - Recycle, recycle, recycle
You won’t see trash bins by vending machines, but recycling bins will be available. People place their finished juice, coffee, or tea cans and bottles in respectable bins. Japanese inns and Airbnbs also provide recycling bins coded for different categories. - No paper towels in restrooms
I was happy to see the long-held Japanese custom of carrying a handkerchief is still alive! Men and women over there happily collect hankies in various colors and designs. They are fashion statements as well as necessities. Not providing paper towels or hand dryer is more earth-friendly and results in tidy public restrooms without shreds of paper on the floor. - Automatic power-off in hotel rooms
Upon entering the room, a hotel guest inserts the key into the designated slot to turn on the electricity. All power (except for a mini refrigerator) gets shut off when the guest takes out the key to leave the room. It’s a great way to prevent wasteful energy use. - Lower A/C temperature setting
I carry long-sleeve clothes in Texas in July because restaurants and other indoor spaces are often too cold for me. That was not the case in Japan. There is no energy waste by setting the A/C temperature at freezing low.
I don’t think all other countries are willing to try the Japanese approach because of different mentality and values. The only thing I can tell you is it works in Japan. It has successfully reduced waste and increased recycling. Trash-free streets appeal to foreign tourists who hold the key to economic growth.
Here is the best thing: We feel nurtured and peaceful in a place where nature is honored and protected. They are the feeling we want to experience wherever we are.
*Source: countrystudies.us
Preserve and cherish the pale blue dot, the only home we’ve ever known.
— Carl Sagan
