Let’s clean up the city with the Zero Garbage App!

“Best Practices” is a programme that disseminates high-quality projects that solve important global issues. Projects that embody the theme of Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai, Japan, “Designing Future Society for Our Lives”, were selected as the Best Practices for the Expo and are displayed in the Best Practice Area.

I will introduce about the “GOMI Zero App” which was selected as a best practice in the future of the earth and biodiversity section.

Zero waste is one of the initiatives of the Zero Waste Co-Creation Network. The Zero Waste Co-Creation Network aims to eliminate new environmental discharges and achieve the Osaka Blue Ocean Vision by promoting collaboration in Japan and abroad to address the issue of marine plastic pollution. This app aims to raise environmental awareness in the entire community by visualizing cleanup activities and encouraging participation.

I used this app and felt as if I was participating in a volunteer trash pickup. When you think of “trash pickup,” you probably consider it as a one-time volunteer activity, not something you do regularly. However, I felt this app breaks that image. With a trash bag and this app, you can pick up trash anytime. Also, there is a trash pickup event once or twice a month and you can find one in the area you live through the app. There is also a timeline function which allows you to share the status of your trash pickups, which creates a sense of friendship.

Why don’t we all use the Zero Garbage App to reduce garbage little by little?

Written by:
Suzu Tamura, Kyoto prefectural Rakusai high school, Japan