Green Lifestyle

Green Lifestyle

MOTTAINAI

Have you ever heard the word MOTTAINAI? The expression closest to MOTTAINAI

in English is “What a waste!” or “Do not waste!”, but these translations don’t represent

the real meanings of the word MOTTAIANI very well.

MOTTAINAI is a Japanese word that means “it is so wasteful that things are not made

full use of their value”, or simply puts “it is too valuable to waste”. This term is used in

Japanese daily life very frequently when thigs that are still useful and valuable are wasted.

Japanese culture traditionally considers wasting resources and throwig them away

before fully using them is a shameful act that profanes and disrespects our Creator of nature.

MOTTAINAI reflects a sad feeling that things are lost and underappreciated, as well.

It is important to be conscious about MOTTAINAI and take actions in manageable ways

in your daily life when you encounter MOTTAINAI situations.

We would like to share ideas about how you can apply a MOTTAINAI way of living

to lead Green Lifestyle.

Click the links below and start your MOTTAINAI way of living today!

1. Bring your own reusable shopping bags when you go to grocery stores.

2. Take lunch to work and school in reusable lunch container and flatware

instead of disposablesandwich bags and plastic flatware.

3. Use thermal lunch containers to take warm lunch.

4. Use a stainless steel water bottle to take water instead of disposable plastic bottled water.

5. Use reusable a coffee filter instead of diposable ones.

7. Stop wasting water. Be water amart with water conserving products.

8. Turn off lights in rooms not in use, and use energy saving light bulbs.

9. Green Energy! Generate your own electricyty and save some energy bills.

Be a part of conseving natural resourses.

10. Reduce your thermostat setting by one to two degree, and use a space heater where necessary.

11. Recycle food waste to compost.

To learn more about MOTTAINAI:

Japans (Nihongo), For Your Just, The Green Belt Movement

Fuji Gazebo