Working at the source
Karatsu Farm & Food is a non-profit in Karatsu City, Saga, Japan, working at the source of three connected challenges — ocean plastic, biodiversity loss, and the distance between people and nature. We recover and upcycle ocean plastic through Precious Plastic, manage Saga's first OECM site, and run hands-on environmental education with young people — and we share what works with partners around the world.
Our philosophy
We work toward a society where our own work is no longer needed — one where ocean plastic is stopped at the source, not preserved as a resource that keeps the problem alive. That belief shapes everything: Think Locally (beach cleanups, recycling, education in our own community) and Act Globally (upstream circular systems and international cooperation). We would be glad to put ourselves out of a job.
By the numbers
A snapshot of our cumulative activity (as of April 2026):
- 25,971 cumulative participants across our programs
- 3,026 kg of ocean plastic recovered — about 1.21 million bottle caps
- 159 sustainability and SDGs workshops
- 8 native honeybee colonies at our OECM site
- 43 earned-media features, with 1,000+ PR Times syndications
Three pillars
Precious Plastic Karatsu — Japan's hub for plastic upcycling
We recover ocean plastic and turn it into things people want to keep, and we mentor new groups across Japan and beyond. It's why international partners like ChangeX came to us.
Nature Positive — Saga's first OECM site
We manage the Yokomakura site, Saga Prefecture's first OECM (registered on Protected Planet), restoring biodiversity and welcoming companies pursuing TNFD / ESG disclosure.
Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
With Karatsu Minami High School's Niji-no-Matsubara project team, we turn local restoration into hands-on learning that passes from one generation to the next.
▶ Environmental education (ESD)
Recognized & connected
Our work has been discovered and supported internationally. ChangeX (Ireland) found us as a Precious Plastic mentor for new groups in Japan. We are Japan's first Ecosystem Restoration Communities (ERC) site, connected to volunteers and communities worldwide, and we hold links to Precious Plastic France and the global Precious Plastic network. We cooperate with Daimaru (a three-year strategic partnership, including the Nature Positive Christmas at Daimaru Fukuoka Tenjin since 2023) and collaborate with Patagonia Japan on environmental programs.
How to work with us
However you'd like to engage, there's a clear way in:
- Discover & collaborate — foundations, funds, NGOs and researchers partner with us on Precious Plastic, nature-positive and ESD, and we mentor new groups.
- Visit — companies pursuing TNFD / ESG join our site visits and study tours in Kyushu (useful as supplier-visit evidence).
- Support — donate via Syncable, or order our upcycled products in bulk as corporate gifts and event mementos.
Get in touch
We welcome enquiries from foundations, funds, companies, NGOs, research institutions, local governments and media. We read and write English well; for calls, an interpreter helps, so tell us your preferred language.
Explore
▶ Precious Plastic Karatsu
▶ Nature Positive — Saga's first OECM site
▶ Regenerative tourism & corporate study visits
▶ Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
▶ Contact & get involved
▶ 日本語サイト / Japanese site