Eco-Friendly Shopping Campaign Held in Japan

The Tokyo Metropolitan Government conducted an "Eco-Friendly Shopping Campaign" during the month of October 2004 in order to encourage the citizens of Tokyo to lead lives with less impact on the environment. This campaign originated in 1998, usually takes place in October, and is carried out in cooperation with the Green Consumer Tokyo Net, a nonprofit organization that promotes eco-friendly consumer lifestyles.

This year, 78,500 retailers - including 32 department stores, 614 supermarkets and 5,500 convenience stores - participated in the campaign. Department stores promoted simpler packaging while other stores sold eco-friendly products. Shopping streets, government offices and consumer groups came together to make various efforts throughout Tokyo, including workshops, waste reduction campaigns, and a contest for the best re-usable personal shopping bag.

In 2003, Tokyo Metropolitan Government designated October 5 as "No Plastic Bag Day," when shopping streets, supermarkets and convenience stores encourage shoppers by making in-store announcements, etc., to bring their own bags, and cashiers refrain from giving away too many bags while giving extra service stamps to those with their own shopping bags.

Following Tokyo's lead, other local governments have been quick to adopt Eco-Friendly Shopping Campaigns, and all 47 prefectures held campaigns in 2004.




Posted: 2005/01/05 02:01:14 PM
Japanese version