#無し #Marine Litter #Issue+Design #umigome

Exploring the 'Umigome' Program: A Deep Dive into Interactive Marine Litter Collection

In an effort to tackle the growing issue of marine plastic waste, a non-profit organization based in Tokyo, known as issue+design, has launched an innovative interactive program titled 'Umigome'. This initiative, starting from July, aims to engage communities in various regions of Japan through workshops focusing on litter collection.

Plastic waste from urban areas is a significant contributor to marine litter, with about 80% of ocean debris originating from materials discarded on land. This alarming statistic highlights a critical societal problem: our collective failure to confront the reasons behind waste generation. The 'Umigome' program is designed to confront this very issue.

Through the program, participants will engage in sorting and classifying litter collected from their surroundings. This hands-on experience is not just about picking up trash; it is a journey toward visualizing the 'selfish feelings' that lead to waste creation in our society. The program seeks to identify 13 types of waste, known as 'Umigome', which represent the diverse emotions and social behaviors connected to littering. Interestingly, there may still be unknown categories of 'Umigome' waiting to be discovered.

Each workshop encourages dialogue among participants, who will reflect on why waste is generated while collecting litter. This interactive format culminates in a ceremonial expression of feelings linked to personal waste, reinforcing the emotional and social implications of littering. Such rituals aim to foster a deeper connection between individuals and the environmental challenges confronting our planet.

The overall goal of 'Umigome' is to inspire participants to create sustainable changes within their own communities by tackling marine litter issues head-on. This initiative is part of the Japan Foundation's