On October 26, 2025, Precious Plastic Karatsu participated in the 'Fukuoka Plastic Waste Reduction Campaign with Aeon Kyushu,' hosted by the Fukuoka Prefectural Government. This event took place at Aeon Mall Fukuoka Ito in Fukuoka's Nishi Ward and aimed to promote awareness about plastic waste reduction and resource recycling. The campaign gathered various companies and organizations under the theme of creating a society that reduces plastic waste and maximizes resources.
The workshop, led by Precious Plastic Karatsu, emphasized hands-on engagement and creativity. Participants, especially families, joined in an exciting activity where they transformed discarded pet bottle caps into unique keychains. This upcycling experience not only sparked creativity but also educated participants about the principles of a circular economy in a fun and interactive way. Despite an expected 60 participants, the event witnessed an incredible turnout of over 120 attendees, with long lines throughout the day. University students from Fukuoka volunteered tirelessly, contributing significantly to the event's success. Feedback from attendees echoed sentiments like 'I want to try this myself' and 'I'm inspired to think of ways to do this at home.'
In addition to the workshop, the event showcased upcycled coasters created by children from the remote island of Matajira, also located in Saga Prefecture. These artistic creations carried meaningful messages about preventing plastic from entering the ocean and leveraging local resources. Many visitors expressed their admiration for the children's efforts, some voicing a desire to visit the island to support their initiatives.
The fruitful collaboration marked a significant moment for the participants, connecting children from the island with city dwellers in Fukuoka. This event wouldn't have been possible without the network established during the 'Kyushu Sustainability Salon' held in July 2025, where organizers from the Fukuoka Circular Society Promotion Division first met the Precious Plastic Karatsu team. The collaboration between the region’s NPOs, local businesses, and public administration demonstrated a refreshing synergy, with promises of future partnerships invigorating the community spirit.
As small caps took center stage in this initiative, the movement towards a sustainable and circular future began expanding from Karatsu to the broader Kyushu region. Hiroaki Kojima, the representative of Precious Plastic Karatsu and head of NPO Karatsu Farm & Food, remarked: 'Witnessing the connection between the imaginations of small caps and the urban population reaffirmed my understanding of what 'circular' truly means. I believe that collaboration among citizens, businesses, and NPOs will be a driving force in shaping a sustainable society.'
Event Details:
- - Event Name: Fukuoka Plastic Waste Reduction Campaign with Aeon Kyushu
- - Date: October 26, 2025
- - Venue: Aeon Mall Fukuoka Ito, 1st Floor Main Building
- - Organization: Fukuoka Prefectural Environmental Department, Circular Society Promotion Division
- - Collaborators: Aeon Kyushu Co., Kano Planning Co., and others
- - Event Website: fukuokaplastic.com/event
About the Organization:
- - Name: NPO Karatsu Farm & Food
- - Location: 3-7-22 Higashi Karatsu, Saga Prefecture
- - Representative: Nozomi Hamaguchi
- - Business Focus: Sustainable resource circulation, environmental education (ESD), operation of nature symbiotic sites (OECM)
- - Official Website: karatsu-f-f.com
- - Instagram: preciousplastic_karatsu