CNN
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Local Entrepreneur in Japanese Tourist Destinations Nara Developing alternatives to plastic bags to protect the city. sacred deer.
Hidetoshi Matsukawa, who works for souvenir wholesaler Nara-ism, says: CNN He heard last year that deer roaming the city’s parks were dying from eating plastic bags.
“I wanted to do something to protect the deer, the symbol of Nara,” he said.
About 1,000 divine deer, designated as a national natural monument, live in the city. Japanand many tourists give them treats.
However, in July 2019, a local welfare group said nine deer were found dead with plastic bags in their stomachs, urging visitors not to throw them away at the park. I called to
Matsukawa wanted to solve this problem differently and worked with a local paper company and design firm on the project.
It was among them that “rokugami” or deer paper, made from rice bran and milk cartons, was developed.
“I learned that most of the rice bran is wasted during the rice polishing process,” says Matsukawa. “So this paper also helps reduce that waste.”
Matsukawa has tested the bags and says they are safe for human consumption.
“I don’t have data to support that this paper won’t harm deer, but I think it’s safe for both deer and humans,” he said with a laugh.
The bag was then tested at a local bank and at Todaiji Temple, a major tourist attraction in Nara. Temples and banks purchased 4,000 to 5,000 bags for 100 yen (about 95 cents) each as part of a pilot project.
Matsukawa said the price will come down as more businesses sign up to use plastic bags.
“News of deer deaths from plastic bags creates a negative image, as if parks were deer cemeteries,” he said. “Paper bags can protect deer and protect the brand image of Nara, which has deer.”
Nara, just 45 minutes by train from Kyoto, is a popular destination for visitors to Japan.
