InsideJapan RT Policy

Sustaining the Enviroment

Responsibility through waste reduction

Litter
Litter is conspicuous by its absence from the streets of Japanese cities - generally speaking! The Japanese are well disciplined in taking their litter home with them, or making sure that it finds its way to the appropriate bin or recycling box, so please do your best to do likewise! A convenience store is the best bet for litter bins/trash cans.

Plastic Bags
Presentation is everything in Japan, and whatever you purchase will be carefully wrapped, wrapped and possibly wrapped again before you are allowed to carry it out of the shop. Please do your bit by refusing bags wherever they are not required.

Disposable Chopsticks (waribashi)
The widespread use of disposable wooden chopsticks may seem like a senseless waste, but a little history and culture is necessary here. Back in the day only royalty and the well off could afford to use a fresh set of unused chopsticks at each meal while the poorer masses used and reused theirs. Later, making a few sets of chopsticks was a thrifty way to use up waste wood left over from making furniture or other large items. Today however vast areas of forest are being destroyed to make enough disposable chopsticks for each of Japan's 20 million population to use nearly 200 pairs a year. Much of this wood comes from overseas, along with much of Japan's natural resources, having a huge environmental impact. However in Japan where the customer is king, providing a fresh set of chopsticks shows that you are respecting your customer, with the wastage being a secondary issue. You can make a difference by carrying your own chopsticks. 100yen stores have a colourful selection, or check out the Tokyu Hands department store in Shinjuku or Shibuya, Tokyo for a range of handy extendable chopsticks with their own carrying case! A couple in Japan for two weeks eating out twice a day would get through 50 pairs of wooden chopsticks, so you CAN make a difference!

Bottles of drink
If you are in Japan during the warmer months you may find you get through rather a lot of plastic bottles, especially if you take advantage of the army of vending machines that are ever-present in Japan. Although most of these bottles do find their way to the recycling plant you can cut down on the bottles considerably by refilling one or two with water from your hotel before heading out. Most hotels have a water cooler in the lobby, or will be happy to fill bottles for you. Tap water is very safe to drink in Japan, so you can even just fill up in your room.

Heating / Air conditioning
If you are in Japan during summer or winter you are likely to be very thankful for one of the above. However, you can do your bit to reduce the use of heating/cooling systems and still keep your room at a pleasant temperature. In Japanese-style accommodation you may find that the attentive staff will switch on the heating/air con in advance of your return in order to have the room pleasant for your return. Exactly how far in advance of your return your suitcase, spare clothes and toothbrush are enjoying this pleasant temperature is hard to know, but if you are happy to wait a few minutes while your room temperature adjusts on your return, and can get your point across to staff, request that they don't turn on the heater/air-con in advance of your return.