Kamikatsu is a small town in Japan that used to have a terrible pollution problem. Scientists came and discovered poisonous dioxins in the soil, air, and water because of how residents were disposing of waste (incinerators and trash pits). "People had to start looking seriously at reducing, reusing, and recycling the waste. Either that, or the town would die." People spoke up - including the narrators' grandma - and began to make big changes. In 2003 the town made a Zero Waste declaration, that Kamikatsu would be the world's first Zero Waste town by 2020. Today, the community recycles more than 80 percent of its waste: "We know that's not everything. But if the whole world did this..." Indeed.

Sidebars throughout and an author's note and photos at the end provide extra information about "reduce, reuse, recycle," the problems waste causes, and the idea of Zero Waste.

"Kachou fuugetsu...means, 'Experience the beauty of nature. Learn about yourself.'" ( )