17/05/2026
Something I wanted to share… a little personal reflection
I recently went back to Japan. Spending time with family and friends, travelling, and enjoying amazing food every day! I came back to NZ with a very full stomach and heart.
Japan is a place I’m deeply proud of. I love its culture, history, beautiful arts and architecture, and the warmth and kindness of the people that grow from it.
But during this trip, there was one thing I couldn’t ignore... the amount of packaging and unnecessary waste.
For hygiene and convenience or promotion purpose, a single product is often wrapped multiple times. Then after purchase, it’s placed into another bag to make it easier to carry. If it’s raining, an extra plastic cover goes on top of that.
I used to love receiving hot towels at restaurants, but now many places have replaced them with individually wrapped disposable wet wipes. At hotels, complimentary drinks, snacks, and even refill cups are disposable products too.
The hospitality is incredible, and I truly can’t complain about the service itself.
But every time I accepted that, I also felt a quiet sense of guilt about the amount of plastic and waste being used. And what scares me most is how quickly I become used to it.
I love Japan, but it was difficult to face this side of it. Honestly, I felt relieved when I returned to New Zealand...
I’m not trying to deny the importance of hygiene or convenience, but it feels like the balance may be tipping too far in one direction.
I wonder about the numbness we develop toward the environmental cost that comes with it, and that thought scares me.
Does anyone else feel the same way?
What I can do as one person is small, but that’s exactly why I want to keep sharing small alternatives through FabWrap, little by little...♻🌱🍀💓🌏
Thank you for reding to the end!
思うことがあって、このつぶやきを…
日本は誇らしい場所であり素晴らしい文化や背景、その中で育まれる人の温かさや人間味が大好きです。日本の「相手を思いやる気持ち」や「細やかなサービス」は本当に素晴らしくて世界に誇れる文化だと思います。だからこそ、その優しさや便利さの裏で、大量の使い捨てプラスチックやゴミが生まれている現実に複雑な気持ちになりました。それを使用する自分、どこかで罪悪感を覚え、そして怖いのは次第にその感覚に慣れていってしまったこと。便利さは大切、でも、その方向性が少し極端になっているようにも感じました。
便利さや衛生意識を否定したいわけではない。でも、その代償に感覚が麻痺していき、本来感じていた違和感さえ薄れてしまう気がします。
自分ひとりにできることは小さいけれど、だからこそFabWrapを通して、少しずつできることを発信していきたいと思います。身の回りからできること始めてみませんか？
