Sustainability

2026

Japan Festival Boston began a major sustainability initiative in 2025 with the goal of reducing the festival’s environmental impact and promoting more responsible use of resources. In 2026, we are continuing to build on these efforts by expanding initiatives that support waste reduction and environmentally conscious practices throughout the event.

Sustainability is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to improving the festival each year while creating an enjoyable experience for our community.

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.

Waste Sorting

As part of our sustainability efforts, we ask all guests to help us properly sort and dispose of waste. Designated waste sorting stations will be located throughout the festival. Instead of using public trash cans, please bring your items to these stations so we can recycle and compost as much as possible.

With so many visitors each year, your participation makes a meaningful difference!

Sustainability events, workshops, and games will all take place in the Sustainability Booth. Please see our festival map for the location.

Saturday, April 25th

Eco-Hero Challenge (Games for kids)

11:10 am - 1:10 pm
Furoshiki Wrapping Challenge, Recycle Challenge Game, Recycle Ring Toss

2:20 pm - 5:00 pm
Mottainai Karuta: Let’s use it again!, Mottainai Fishing Game, Recycle Ring Toss


Try on Yukata & Feel Japan! (All ages)

11:10 am - 1:10 pm
2:20 pm - 5:00 pm


Sustainability Stamp Rally (All ages)

11:00 am - 4:30 pm


Lectures & Presentation (All ages)

11:00 am - 11:20 am Yukata Lecture

11:30 am - 11:50 am Kamishibai: Eco Story Time

12:50 pm - 1:10 pm Furoshiki Lecture

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm FutureScape Navigators (Presentation by high school student innovators)

2:20 pm - 3:00 pm Kamishibai: Eco Story Time

3:10 pm - 3:30 pm Yukata Lecture

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Furoshiki Lecture

Event Schedule

Sunday, April 26th

Eco-Hero Challenge (Games for kids)

11:10 am - 1:10 pm
Furoshiki Wrapping Challenge, Mottainai Fishing Game, Recycle Ring Toss

2:20 pm - 5:00 pm
Mottainai Karuta: Let’s use it again!, Recycle Challenge Game, Recycle Ring Toss


Try on Yukata & Feel Japan! (All ages)

11:10 am - 1:10 pm
2:20 pm - 5:00 pm


Sustainability Stamp Rally (All ages)

11:00 am - 4:30 pm


Lectures & Presentations (All ages)

11:00 am - 11:20 am Yukata Lecture

11:30 am - 11:50 am Furoshiki Lecture

12:00 pm - 12:20 pm Kamishibai: Eco Story Time

1:30 pm - 2:00 pm FutureScape Navigators (Presentation by high school student innovators)

2:20 pm - 3:00 pm Kamishibai: Eco Story Time

3:10 pm - 3:30 pm Yukata Lecture

3:40 pm - 4:00 pm Furoshiki Lecture

Workshop and Game Descriptions

  • Is this recyclable? Compostable? Or trash? Learn about waste sorting through this hands-on game!

  • Can we recycle a soda bottle? A jar with jam? Newspapers? How about a battery? Aim for the recyclable items and toss the ring!

  • What happens to plastic bottles after you put them in recycle bins? Learn about how recycling transforms resources to new materials through a Japanese card game called karuta!

  • Catch a paper “goldfish” and learn about food loss through fun quizzes!

  • Furoshiki is a sustainable wrapping cloth used in Japan. How many items can you wrap and carry in a single Furoshiki cloth?

  • Try on a traditional Japanese clothes called Yukata! Yukata is a more casual version of a kimono, often worn at summer festivals.

  • Kamishibai is traditional Japanese story-telling with pictures. Come and join live story time to learn about how to care for our water and the ocean.

  • Meet a team of high school innovators using NASA Earth data to transform climate and environmental challenges into clear, practical insights. Through both oral and poster presentations, you’ll hear how they brought their ideas to life and be inspired to take action for our planet.

  • One cloth. Zero waste. Endless possibilities! Learn the art of folding and wrapping using the reusable Japanese cloth as an alternative to plastic bags and wrapping paper.

  • In addition to trying on, learn about the history and culture of Yukata through a short lecture.


  • 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!

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 empowering the next generation of problem solvers. As part of this mission, we are partnering with New England Computing Innovation Academy (NECIA), a nonprofit program dedicated to cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset through international, intercultural, and collaborative innovation experiences. Together, we will provide students in grades 10–12 with an opportunity to present their sustainability projects at our Sustainability Booth and engage with a broader audience for questions and feedback.

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!