Synopsis
Yokohama Go Green is not one project. It is a collection of more than one hundred projects for citizens to join and be inspired, all with the goal of achieving circular society.
Implementation Period
Since 2022
Stakeholders and Partners
(Depends on the individual project)
Bottle to Bottle project (one example) – Yokohama government, Suntory Holdings Limited, J&T Recycling Corporation, Kyoei Sangyo Co., Ltd., MICE and commercial facilities (such as Pacifico Yokohama, Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse), Keiyu Hospital, visitors and workers in the area, and many others.
Background, Challenges and Objectives
The current situation in Japan is as follows:
There are growing concerns about the increase in waste, largely due to excessive packaging practices such as individual wrapping and the use of excessive cushioning materials. Additionally, food loss in fiscal 2022 was estimated to be approximately 4.72 million tons.
This is a problem because it reflects an unsustainable pattern of mass production, mass consumption, and mass disposal. To achieve a circular economy, Japan must shift toward a lifestyle that emphasizes reducing waste and reusing limited resources and energy. However, changing public awareness and behaviour, as well as transforming societal structures, is a significant challenge.
Actually, Yokohama has already solved a big problem, which was the excessive amount of waste generated by the city. Through thorough waste separation efforts, Yokohama successfully reduced the volume of waste by half.
In 2001, the city generated 1.61 million tons of waste, raising concerns about the need for costly renovations to incineration facilities and the risk of landfill overcapacity. In response, the G30 Plan was launched in 2002, aiming to reduce waste by 30% by 2010 through enhanced separation and recycling.
By 2005, waste had decreased to 1.06 million tons, reaching the target five years ahead of schedule. Through collaboration with citizens, including over 15,000 community briefings, the city was able to close two incineration plants, saving 110 billion yen and reducing CO₂ emissions by 630,000 tons.
Yokohama achieved a 50% reduction in incinerated waste by 2023, despite population growth. (See attached figure.1)
In 2024, new sorting rules expanded the definition of recyclable plastics, and within six months, the results exceeded expectations. This progress is a testament to the city’s long-standing efforts and the strong environmental awareness of its citizens.
Thanks to this success, Yokohama citizens already have a high motivation for environmental sustainability.
Building on this history of success, Yokohama Go Green was introduced to promote environmentally friendly actions. Under this initiative, citizens, businesses, and the local government are working together to advance various efforts aimed at spreading a new Yokohama-style circular lifestyle.
Actions and Implementation
Yokohama Go Green has two steps.
The first step is to collaborate with various entities, including businesses and universities, to offer a variety of projects in which citizens can casually and enjoyably participate and experience contributing to society.
The second step is to disseminate and share the results of these projects. We call this “STYLE100, one hundred ways of sustainable living, made in Yokohama to be shared with the world.” So far, we have showcased 20 such projects through STYLE100, with plans to introduce all one hundred by 2027.
Here are three projects that have already started.
・ Clothes to Clothes
Yokohama City collects unused clothing through a community-based program with neighbourhood associations. Items are sorted for reuse or recycled into materials like rags and work gloves.
To expand participation, especially among young people living alone who may be less aware of the program, the city partners with local universities and students to collect clothing on campus.
Collaboration with private companies further promotes sustainability by turning the used garments into new ones, using chemical recycling technologies for single-material fabrics like polyester and cotton, bringing us one step closer to a circular economy.
・ Bottle to Bottle
This project, which collects PET bottles in the Minato Mirai 21 District and converts them to new bottles free of charge, will run from January 29, 2025 to March 31, 2027, with the aim of recycling over 150 tons of used PET bottles annually.
This recycling reduces CO₂ emissions by approximately 60% compared to traditional methods.
Collaborators include the City of Yokohama, the Minato Mirai area management organization, companies and facilities within the district, beverage manufacturers, and people who visit the area.
A pilot project for Bottle to Bottle ran successfully from January to February 24, and many companies voiced their desire for a recycling program that would bring all of Minato Mirai together.
・ SAF
This project, part of a national initiative, aims to replace 10% of the fuel used by domestic airlines with SAF (sustainable aviation fuel). Across Japan, individuals, local governments, and companies are working to provide waste cooking oil, which is a raw material for SAF, from households and restaurants. Yokohama City has also signed a cooperation agreement with airlines to participate in this initiative.
Yokohama City’s role includes requesting supermarkets within the city to install collection boxes, creating promotional flyers, and distributing bottles for used cooking oil collection, among other promotional activities.
（※各取り組みの写真・図の挿入）
Outcomes and Impacts
Yokohama Go Green has generated tangible outcomes across multiple sectors, demonstrating the power of community-driven circular practices, with five key projects already delivering measurable impact.
・ Clothes to Clothes
In a three-month pilot in 2024, clothing collection efforts engaged companies, shopping districts, and universities.
Collection volumes: Rokkaku-bashi Shopping District: 544.3 kg; Kanto Gakuin University: 96.8 kg.
Recycled work gloves made from collected clothing were distributed to local environmental committee members, allowing them to experience circularity first hand.
This initiative promotes resource recovery and raises awareness through tangible, everyday items.
・ Bottle to Bottle
A 2024 pilot confirmed the efficiency of centralized PET bottle collection, while identifying sorting challenges.
While exact numbers have not been published, the pilot was a great success.
Currently, the Bottle to Bottle project is reaching planned targets.
Additionally, an educational campaign was launched to promote proper recycling behaviour: finishing drinks, removing caps/labels, and using designated bins.
This improved resource recovery rates, reduced contamination, and enhanced recycling efficiency.
The initiative fosters sustainable consumption and strengthens collaboration among residents, workers, and businesses.
・ SAF
Yokohama is collecting used cooking oil from 21 supermarkets, with plans to increase locations.
On May 1, 2025, domestically produced SAF was used for the first time on a commercial flight (JAL JL891).
SAF reduces lifecycle CO₂ emissions by approximately 80% compared to conventional aviation fuel.
To increase environmental awareness and community involvement, educational programs in schools engage children in oil collection.
・ Overall Impact
Community engagement: STYLE100 aims to inspire behavioural change among 3.77 million citizens, with 20 projects already showcased and 100 planned by 2027.
Environmental benefits: Initiatives contribute to significant CO₂ emission reductions, improved recycling rates, and enhanced public awareness.
Inclusivity: Programs are designed to be accessible to all, including elderly citizens and low-income households.
Through these efforts, Yokohama is not only managing waste more efficiently but also cultivating a culture of sustainability that is participatory, inclusive, and scalable.
Further Information and Media
STYLE100 Promotion Video (in Japanese)
STYLE100 ＃11 Short video about Bottle to Bottle Project
https://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=STYLE100&&view=detail&mid=9FE29154571E825CA8009FE29154571E825CA800&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VRDGAR
STYLE100 ＃13 Short video about SAF
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=STYLE100+13&&mid=1B6B2B22D44B528280651B6B2B22D44B52828065&&mmscn=stvo&FORM=VRDGAR