“Knowing where your waste goes is the beginning of a gentle journey.”
〜 Where Waste Goes on This Island, and What We Can Do 〜
The plastic bottle you grab on a hot day, the empty convenience store lunch container, or that used-up sunscreen spray…
Have you ever wondered where they go once you’re done with them?
Surrounded by breathtaking seas and natural beauty, Miyako Island is in fact an island with very limited options for disposing of waste.
This is becoming a serious issue.
🗑 Most of Miyako Island’s Waste Is Shipped Off the Island
There is no complete landfill or final disposal facility on Miyako Island.
As a result, a large portion of waste is shipped by boat to Okinawa’s main island or to Kyushu.
This “off-island transport” involves multiple burdens:
🚢 High transportation costs
⚖️ Labor-intensive sorting and packaging
🌍 Carbon emissions from sea transport
And the type of waste that’s rapidly increasing?
Disposable plastics and containers used by visitors.
🏝️ Trash on the Beach… Some of It Might Be Ours
When walking along the coast, you might spot plastic bottles or shopping bags washed up by the waves.
Many of these are marine debris from overseas or mainland Japan, but in some cases, it could be our own waste that has returned to shore.
Even just one plastic bottle can:
👉 Take more than 450 years to decompose in nature.
💡 What You Can Do as a Visitor
Protecting the future of this island begins with small actions.
✅ Simple ways to travel more gently on the island:
- Bring a reusable bottle or tumbler
- Say no to plastic bags or disposable cutlery at stores
- Try to take your trash back with you, especially if it’s hard to dispose of properly
- Check how to separate waste at your hotel or guesthouse
- Choose reusable over single-use personal care items
🎁 Let Your “Souvenirs” Be Local—and Memorable
The memories you make on this island don’t need to end with things.
They can live in your actions.
- Buying locally made goods supports the local economy
- Choosing items without excessive packaging helps reduce island waste
🌏 Let’s Make Miyako Island a Truly Sustainable Paradise
While tourism brings joy and energy to the island, the natural environment is quietly being strained.
But small, mindful choices made by each visitor have the power to shape a better future.
We hope your trip will bring smiles not only to yourself, but also to the island’s tomorrow.
✍️ This article is brought to you by Myakuzumi, a local media platform sharing the present and future of Miyako Island.
Let your travels not only enjoy—but also protect—this island.
Will you join us in starting a gentle journey?
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