Environment

From Benches to Bio-Toilets, Upcycling Proposals Selected for Osaka Expo

Upcycling is a common thread among projects chosen for the Osaka Expo, like benches made from used clothes and bio-toilets that turn sewage into fertilizer.

Published

1 year ago

March 14, 2023

Nobuo Kurokawa

Read the full story on Japan 2 Earth - From Benches to Bio-Toilets, Upcycling Proposals Selected for Osaka Expo

On April 7, the Japan Association for the 2025 World Exposition, organizer of the 2025 Osaka-Kansai Expo, announced the selection of proposals for event facilities. Among these many involved upcycling to create the benches, trash cans, and toilets to be installed at the Expo site.

A total of 12 proposals for making the event site more environmentally friendly were selected. Plans include installing benches made from wood waste and used clothing, and toilets that allow wastewater to be reused as fertilizer.

Upcycling: Benches, Bio-Toilets, and More

The Expo Association called for proposals from July to September of 2022 and received 79 in total. Details on the 12 projects selected will be finalized with the help of renowned designers before being installed at the Expo site.

With the aim of encouraging small and medium-sized companies to participate in the Expo, proposals had to be submitted jointly by multiple companies.

Tokyo-based W TOKYO Inc. will install "circular bio-toilets" at the venue. These toilets allow for sewage to be used as agricultural fertilizer.

Continue reading the full story on Japan 2 Earth.

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(Read the article in Japanese.)

Author: Nobuo Kurokawa