Be conscious, be aware and be kind to the world through Zero Waste from Kyoto
What is “Zero Waste” ?
One of the frequent answers is “To try to reduce waste to zero.” As more and more people in the world become aware of the current perilous environmental state of our planet, we face a big question about a lifestyle we take for granted, largely relying on mass production and mass consumption.
Another phrase to describe “Zero Waste” more explicitly could be “restructuring the system” and “redefining our mind.” We take resources from the earth and produce a countless number of products. Next we use or consume them for a short time, then they are dumped into the garbage which “disappears”somewhere without us even noticing. We thought, or wanted to believe, we could continue such an easy and convenient lifestyle of producing and dumping forever, but are now becoming aware that it was all an illusion.
Japan, for example, is the fifth largest producer of food waste in the world, disposing of 150 kilos per person per year. It also is fifth in the world for its amount of plastic waste generation, totaling 8 million tons a year. Being aware of the concept of “Zero Waste" is a way to step out of this cycle and move towards a system that is inherent in nature and with all other species where everything is used and nothing is discarded. This is known in economic terms as “A Circular Economy.” Instead of disposing of resources as waste they are integrated fully back into the system, and in so doing, help to redefine our present paradigm.
Just this May, a remarkable step in “restructuring the system” and
“redefining our mind” arrived on Teramachi Street, Kyoto’s famous street near the Gosho Imperial Palace. It came in the form of Zero Waste Kyoto – whose entrance is always wide open and is impossible to walk past without becoming curious about what is on display and available on the day.
Rice, grains, organic vegetables, tofu, miso, natto (fermented soybeans), ume-boshi (pickled salty plum) and kimchee (Korean spicy pickles), freshly-baked bread, teas, vinegars, and more are available in the store. Everything is organic, fair trade, natural, or handmade. Each item has a story and the staff is more than happy to tell you all about the product you are interested in: who produced it and where, why it is so special, how it tastes and how you can best enjoy it.
Browsing around Zero Waste Kyoto will inspire and provide hints of how all of us can redefine our minds with the Zero Waste concept.
The locally grown vegetables are all fresh and plastic free as they are kept in cold water or in a package of origami newspaper. Tofu waits to be scooped out of a wooden tub filled with fresh water. Varieties of rice and grain stylishly fill glass tubes hanging along the wall and you can simply hold your container underneath, press the release and purchase the exact
quantity you need.
There is also a café space and deli showcase at the rear of the store. A variety of dishes and condiments made of seasonal ingredients await you and diners can enjoy the lunch set of the day or choose some dishes displayed in the showcase. The thick vegetable soup will remind your taste buds what vegetables are in season and the fresh and sweet
salad is filled with all the nutrients that are absorbed from the soil
when they are organically grown.
“All staff working here can talk for hours about the food we sell because they are so keen to tell stories they learned from the producers who are so passionate about the goods they provide. We simply pass on that love and trust in what they produce to our customers,” says Mutsumi Uera, the director of Zero Waste Kyoto.
“Kyoto is the city where people respect tradition and beauty and live side by side with them in the modern day; such a lifestyle is just ordinary here. We couldn’t think of any other city more suited to open our first Zero Waste store than Kyoto because this is the city where all kinds of ‘true’ quality are rooted in people’s daily life.
After high school, I left Kansai and lived in Tokyo and abroad for nearly 30 years in the busy and intense financial world but I always felt some kind of nostalgic feeling about Kansai, particularly, Kyoto.
When I came back here and settled in the city, I was so grateful. I feel
that it is so much easier and natural in Kyoto to practice “Chi-san Chisho (produce locally and consume locally)” on a daily basis, too.”
Zero Waste is not a goal but just a beginning which reminds us of how the way we live has a direct impact on the environment and on others. Zero Waste Kyoto is proud to be the first Zero Waste base in Kyoto and of introducing such a variety of delicious and local food. However, this is just the start – they are joyously considering how they can improve the system even further. Visit Zero Waste Kyoto with your favorite container, bag, or even ideas and discover new inspirations that will help restructure the old system and at the same time redefine your mind.
10:00-20:00, Closed Mondays
On the west side of Teramachi St., north of Ebisugawa St.
673-1 Kuon’in-cho, Teramachi-dori Ebisugawaagaru,Nakagyo-ku, Kyoto
075-366-4134