Waste less,
grow more.
As students at NUCB International College in Nisshin, we noticed a growing concern in our school community: food waste. Rather than simply accepting it, we decided to take action.
The UN goals we work towards
Every single day, the average person in Japan throws away a full bowl of rice.
It's not just the food that gets wasted. Growing it used up water and land, and when it rots in a landfill it gives off methane, which is bad for the climate. These are the numbers that got us started.
Sources: Japan Ministry of the Environment and MAFF (2023), UNEP Food Waste Index (2024), FAO. Full breakdown on our impact page.
Where we work
In our dorm
We work with the kitchen staff and other students to waste less food in the first place.
- ✓Cardboard composting and a worm bin
- ✓Collecting data to track food waste in the cafeteria
- ✓Partnering up with the staff to adapt meals
In Nisshin City
We partnered up with an NPO to expand our impact into the bigger community.
- ✓Working with a local farming group, Nisshin Yasai Jyuku (日進野菜塾)
- ✓Interviewing people around Nisshin about food waste
- ✓A food waste calculator anyone can try
- ✓Info sessions for the city community
Our projects aim to
Our projects
Composting
Turning our food scraps and paper into compost for organic farming.
Impact calculator
Work out how much CO₂, water, and money your food waste adds up to.
Contact-lens cases
Collecting empty contact lens cases for the Eyecity recycling project.
End of year market
Students take what they can use, and whatever is left goes to the Nisshin recycling centre instead of being thrown away.
What is your food waste really costing?
Drag the slider to get a rough idea.
One bowl is about 102 g, which is the daily average for one person in Japan.
Want to get involved?
If you want to learn how to reduce your food waste, compost, or join a farm visit, fill in our form and we'll get back to you.
Get involved