Sustainability at JFB 2025

Check out our sustainability efforts for this year’s festival. We have a full list of workshops and activities as well as information on our Sustainability Partners and their efforts to help us ensure that our festival is environmentally responsible and sustainable.

RecycleMeter

The JFB Sustainability Team created RecycleMeter, a custom-built app that tracks the weight of recycled materials in real time—showing how much waste is being diverted from the trash throughout the festival.

See the difference you’re making, one item at a time. Because real sustainability happens when we all work together. Let’s keep it going!

Festival Workshops

Workshop Schedule

Saturday, April 26th

Workshops (Hands-on Activities)

11:00 AM – 1:10 PM | Yukata, Furoshiki, Waste Separation Game, Seed Bomb

1:30 PM – 3:40 PM | Yukata, Furoshiki, Waste Separation Game, Chopstick Sleeve Origami

Learn sustainability efforts (With Gift🎁)

1:10 PM – 1:30 PM | Takeda, ChopValue, JFB

3:55 PM – 4:15 PM | Takeda, ChopValue, JFB

Special Program (With Gift🎁)

4:15 PM – 4:45 PM | Presentation from the Winning Team at NASA Hackathon Boston 2024

Sunday, April 27th

Learn sustainability efforts (With Gift🎁)

11:10 AM – 11:30 AM | Takeda, ChopValue, JFB

2:15 PM – 2:35 PM | Takeda, ChopValue, JFB

Special Programs (With Gift🎁)

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM | Presentation from the Winning Team at NASA Hackathon Boston 2024

Workshops (Hands-on Activities)

12:15 PM – 2:15 PM | Yukata, Furoshiki, Waste Separation Game, Chopstick Sleeve Origami

2:35 PM – 4:30 PM | Yukata, Furoshiki, Waste Separation Game, Seed Bomb

Workshop Descriptions

  • Try a fun origami workshop to a make chopstick rest out of a paper chopstick sleeve! Fold simple paper into cute and creative shapes, Japanese-style.

  • Try on a traditional Japanese garment called Yukata!  Yukata are a casual traditional robe often worn at summer festivals.

  • Wrap it, rock it, snap it! 

    Make your own stylish furoshiki bag and capture the perfect photo moment in a Yukata—ready to share and impress!

  • In this fun workshop, turn recycled paper into colorful seed bombs that explode into flowers once you plant them!

  • A hands-on game where you can learn about waste separation in a fun and engaging way.

    Pick up the cubes with pictures of different types of waste from the pool and sort them into the correct categories! It's an ideal educational activity for young children.

  • Learn about sustainability efforts by watching videos from Takeda, ChopValue, and our sustainability team. Watch and receive a special gift as a token of our appreciation!

  • NASA Space Apps Challenge: The CliMappers

    Meet The CliMappers, the winning team of the NASA Space Apps Challenge Boston 2024, as they present their award-winning project tackling global environmental issues.

    Hear directly from the team members, learn how they brought their ideas to life, and be inspired to take action for our planet.

    Watch and receive a special gift as a token of appreciation!

  • Explore, collect, and win!

    Find SDGs-themed stamps throughout the Japan Festival Boston venue.

    Complete your stamp sheet and receive a special sustainability gift as a reward for your eco-adventure!

    Only available to the first 300 participants per day.

  • Solve our crossword puzzle to discover the keyword! Use clues from elements of Omatsuri and Japanese culture to crack the puzzle. Once complete, head over to the Sustainability tab on our website to find the answer key!

Looking for the crossword puzzle answer key?

Click the button below!

2025 Sustainability Video

Sustainability Partners

At Japan Festival Boston, sustainability lies at the heart of our mission. This year, we are honored to partner with Takeda Pharmaceutical, our dedicated Sustainability Sponsor, to enable our sustainability initiatives, including awareness activities at the sustainability booth.

Takeda’s global commitment to environmental sustainability perfectly aligns with our vision. From its ambitious net-zero goals to pioneering innovative recycling programs and renewable energy projects, Takeda continues to drive meaningful change. Their support enables us to host the festival that celebrates Japanese culture and contributes to a more sustainable future. Together with Takeda, we are creating a positive impact — because a healthier planet means a healthier future for everyone. Learn more about Takeda's Sustainability Approach.

At Japan Festival Boston, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact by incorporating eco-friendly products. As part of this initiative, Sanipak Company Of Japan, a leader in garbage bag innovation, has joined as an official sponsor of the event.

Sanipak is dedicated to developing environmentally friendly garbage bags. For this year’s festival, they are providing biodegradable bags for all waste collection, ensuring a more sustainable approach to waste management. Additionally, their beautifully designed garbage bags will add a festive touch to the event atmosphere.

At Japan Festival Boston, we are committed to promoting sustainability and minimizing waste by encouraging recycling efforts. As part of this initiative, we are collaborating with ChopValue to promote the recycling of disposable chopsticks, an essential part of Japanese food culture.

ChopValue is a sustainable brand that recycles used chopsticks and transforms them into new products. It is also a certified B Corporation (B Corp). At this year’s event, we are implementing a system where participants can dispose of their used chopsticks in designated collection areas. Instead of being discarded as waste, these chopsticks will be upcycled into innovative and attractive products.

Additionally, as a special initiative, we have collaborated with ChopValue to create an exclusive Japan Festival Boston product. These special items will be given as gifts to those who support our crowdfunding campaign and will also be available for purchase on the day of the festival!

At Japan Festival Boston, we are committed to reducing our environmental impact by incorporating eco-friendly products. As part of this effort, Open Water, known for its sustainable packaging, has become an official sponsor of our event.

Open Water uses aluminum bottles, which have a significantly higher recycling rate compared to other materials. They are also a carbon-neutral certified brand, considering CO₂ emissions associated with transportation.

This year, Open Water is supporting Japan Festival Boston by donating their products to help hydrate hundreds of volunteers. Additionally, attendees will have the opportunity to make an environmentally friendly choice by purchasing Open Water at the event!

At Japan Festival Boston, we are committed to raising environmental awareness and creating a cleaner society by actively engaging in cleanup activities at the event venue. As part of this effort, we are collaborating with the Boston branch of Green Bird, a nonprofit organization dedicated to keeping cities clean through litter-cleanup activities. We will work together to collect trash and clean up the venue. Through this initiative, we aim to maintain a cleaner and more comfortable environment for everyone.

At Japan Festival Boston, we are proud to collaborate with the Roger Williams University (RWU) Graphic Design team, a growing hub of creative innovation and sustainable design. Utilizing cutting-edge technology and real-world learning experiences, RWU’s talented students lead the way in blending artistic excellence with environmental responsibility.

This year, their team is supporting our sustainability initiative by contributing to the SDGs Stamp Rally (a stamp collection game), creating engaging materials that not only educate attendees about eco-friendly practices but also inspire community-wide change. Their dedication to combining design with social impact reflects our shared vision for a greener, more sustainable future.