Zero Waste Life

In a Tokyo studio Fujisawa Yuki processes old clothing, giving it new life using dye or lace. She also uses the technique of hot stamping to apply gold or silver leaf, reinforcing damaged areas and making them shine. She says she loves the "memory" of old clothing, evoking a time, a place or a person. She enjoys speculating about who made it and the personality of its former owner. This comes through in her work, carrying those memories forward into the future.

Kubo Tomonori is a sommelier. He's also an artist who makes portraits from used wine corks. He's done famous faces like Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali and Audrey Hepburn. He insists on using only shades created by actual wine, saying that the natural color is more beautiful. Cork is a valuable natural resource, but most gets thrown away after its role as a bottle stopper is complete. Kubo's work has been a hit with wine lovers, and he gets used corks sent in from all over Japan.

Shibahara Katsuji is a skilled woodworker. He makes all kinds of things to order, but from time to time he takes on a particularly unusual request. Remaking an unplayed piano. He makes them into desks, shelves and even doorstops. The sense of memory and history in an old piano is something he approaches with both reverence and a bit of trepidation. He does his best to maintain the original form and avoid over polishing. Even though it no longer makes music, the memories remain.

In Japan over 3 million vehicles a year are scrapped. 80% of the components can be recycled, but the remaining 20% can't be and is discarded as trash. Auto wrecker Kamimura Masanori made up his mind to find a new use for seatbelts and airbags instead of throwing them away. Made to save lives, they're incredibly tough and seldom degrade over time. Combining seatbelts sewn together with airbag linings, he created sturdy bags suitable for outdoor activities. He calls his creation the "Tough Bag."

At Li Rui's sewing school, students learn how to remake adult clothes into kids wear. Most are moms raising children. They bring their own things; items that no longer fit, or they no longer wear but can't part with. Items once destined for disposal are transformed into clothes for their own children with Li's help. And while they work, she looks after the kids, so no need to worry. Kind to both the home and the environment, her school is a place full of laughter for mothers and children alike.

Making use of his vast experience, dyer Izawa Tsuyoshi has added a touch of color to all kinds of things. And 2 years ago, he began a new undertaking; dyeing old and worn-out clothes black. This has several benefits. Black hides damage and stains and makes old look new. Izawa worked to develop a black dye that would work on fabric of any color. Bringing clothes destined for the trash back in black has brought in so much business that there's currently a three-month waiting list for the service.

Matsuba Tomi lives in a town steeped in history, running an inn in an old folk house she restored, reusing waste materials. Discarded bricks line the garden path, the washroom basin is a broken jar, and the windows are a patchwork of old panes; carefully made old things that have become beautiful with time. In winter, dried fruits and vegetables hang from the eaves. She seldom throws anything away, uses everything with care and lives conscientiously. And her aesthetic sense permeates the entire inn.

Produce is generally uniform in color, shape and size due to strict standards, which also makes for improved efficiency, but it means deviations aren't tolerated. Suyama Chimi, who studied agriculture at university, set out to open an eatery using the waste generated, so-called "substandard" produce donated by local farmers. Since costs are low, the meals are low-cost too. In the kitchen every day since graduation, her place is always busy and has become a hub for the nearby community.

Textile artist Hayakawa Yumi lives on a verdant mountainside. Using cloth gathered from all over Asia, she makes one-of-a-kind clothing, bags and more. Scraps of fabric from her work are scattered all over her home studio as she never discards them. Almost completely self-sufficient, all her kitchen scraps go to making compost. And ash from her fire is used for washing dishes or scattered in her vegetable garden. Valuing the cycle of life.

The whole world loves jeans. But they're also all too often thrown away. Kawahara Takuya upcycles this discarded denim combining different textures and fading to create stylish clothes with a unique sensibility that's seen them grow in popularity. His indispensable partner, Yamasawa Ryoji, buys used jeans from overseas by the ton. Both men are denim devotees who are dedicated to rescuing and reusing what was thrown out, making it cooler than cool again.

Using discarded materials, Matsuba Tomi has brought a 200-year-old folk house back to life as an inn. Spring has come, and she gathers bamboo shoots for cooking and display, and fills an old baby carriage with freshly picked flowers, creating a touch of seasonal beauty from discarded things. It's a life of value for all things, and of fun. Her hope is that guests bring a bit of those values back with them when they return to the city, passing them on to the next generation.

In the mid-20th century, glass panes featuring patterns like chrysanthemums or cherry blossoms were popular in Japanese homes. As older houses are demolished such glass is often discarded, but artisan Koyakata Yoshikazu has found new uses for it. By cleaning and then reshaping the patterned panes he turns what was once waste into stylish tableware. The retro designs have earned quite a following, ensuring the charm of yesterday will be appreciated by the next generation.

Mori Yumi remakes old clothes with a sense of humor. And she's using her special flair to upcycle tents. Display models or those damaged in shipping must be disposed of, and Mori uses material from such tents to make bags and even jackets. Her designs take advantage of tents' durability and water resistance, but also their unique design elements to create something truly fashionable. To tell the truth, waste reduction isn't really Mori's goal, she simply loves making things.

Saito Masaya is one of the few artisans repairing stained glass in Japan. He removes the damaged sections, delicately replacing them one by one. Getting the same glass as the original is impossible, so Saito chooses the best alternative from his own collection. He also sometimes remakes the frames that hold the pieces he restores. He uses every tool at his disposal to bring it back to life. His passion for stained glass shines bright, illuminating future generations.

Many Japanese homes have beautifully decorated altars called "butsudan" where families pray to Buddha and their ancestors. Their construction involves several traditional crafts. But with changes in Japanese lifestyles, they're now less common. An artisan who makes them, Nakazawa Yukihiro, is repurposing techniques used in their production to turn discarded altars into accessories. Working with his family, he's found a new way to use his skills and preserve a piece of this Japanese tradition.

A shoe repair shop in Yokohama. Owner Murakami Rui repairs badly damaged shoes refused by other shops. Working with customer wishes in mind, he takes great care, disassembling and replacing damaged sections, reinforcing as needed, even going as far as to make new wooden forms. He aims to preserve the original feel, cherishing not just the shoes, but the memories they hold. He hopes their revived shoes will carry them far into the future. This is what drives his passion.

Kobe is known for bread. But unsold loaves spoil and must be discarded. Turning this waste into something different is Kobe-based artist Morita Yukiko. She adds LED lights and preserves it with long-lasted resin, producing lamps that stand the test of time. Lit from the inside, we see it literally in a new light. Even though it can no longer be eaten, she aims to illuminate what she calls, "its living beauty." And the inner glow she gives it is an expression of her love of bread.

Skateboarding is popular worldwide. But when skateboards get worn out, they become unsafe and have to be scrapped by their riders. In the hands of woodworker Anakubo, these old decks are reborn. Making the most of their multi-colored plywood layers, he shapes them into cool new accessories. And since Anakubo is a skater himself, he always keeps in mind how important those old decks were to their former riders as he does his work.

The subway, vital to city living. But after around 40 years, most Osaka Metro subway cars are scrapped. Thanks to two creators, a new upcycling project is underway. Designer Takayama Katsumi and bag maker Shinoda Eiji reuse material from gangways between cars and ring straps to make shoulder bags. Not just eco-friendly, worn by an adult, the strap is at waist height, perfect for a child to hold on to. For any kid who wishes they could reach the straps on the train, these bags are a dream come true.

Kamakura, a beautiful historic seaside town, has a garbage problem: seaweed that starts to smell if it isn't disposed of. Culinary researcher Yano Fukiko has come up with a use for it. She gathers, dries, grinds and feeds it to pigs. The meat produced is tender and rich in umami. What's more, disabled and elderly people living in the area are at the heart of Yano's project. The result of the hard work of many people, Kamakura seaweed pork has been very well received.