In brief
Katsuo Fuji, a former JICA recycling veteran, introduced a waste‑glass initiative in Palau in 2004. By 2015 he had launched Belau Eco Glass, turning bottles into art that now attracts eco‑tourists and supports local artisans. The program also draws international attention and training from Japan’s glass community.
Japanese senior recycling expert Katsuo Fuji began working in Palau in 2004 as a senior volunteer with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and over the past decade he has turned discarded glass bottles into a thriving tourism product for the Pacific island nation.
Fuji’s work started at a time when Palau had “not even a concept of recycling,” according to his own recollection, and he saw an opportunity to both clean up the environment and appeal to visitors drawn to the country’s natural beauty.
In 2015 he partnered with Palau’s tourism authorities to launch the Belau Eco Glass brand, which now produces a wide range of souvenirs, from inexpensive earrings to elaborate ornaments inspired by manta rays and coral.
The atelier, located in the sweltering city of Koror, houses furnaces that glow red‑hot as local artisans melt bottles and reshape the glass into items that sell for tens of dollars to over a thousand dollars.
Among the visitors to the workshop was French Polynesian President Moetai Brotherson, who tried his hand at glassblowing under Fuji’s instruction; when he shaped a cup he declared,
“Perfect, right?”
Works like these have attracted interest from other Pacific nations, where waste disposal remains a common challenge. During the Pacific Islands Forum summit in August and September, dignitaries from 18 countries and territories toured the workshop and experienced the process firsthand.
JICA continues to support the initiative by sending Japanese glass artists to train Palau’s local artisanal community. One such artist was Kyoko Hirako, 39, a glass artist and part‑time lecturer at Nagoya University of the Arts, who spent the summer months working with Palau’s glassworkers to refine techniques.
Fuji’s transition from volunteer to government consultant following the end of his assignment underlines the deep commitment he has to Palau’s environmental and economic development. His dual focus on recycling and tourism has positioned the glassworks as both an eco‑label and a key attraction for nature‑focused travelers.
The initiative has also helped raise environmental awareness among Palau’s residents. By turning glass waste into tangible economic assets, the program has demonstrated that sustainable practices can coexist with commercial success.
As Palau’s economy seeks diversification beyond natural resource extraction, the Belau Eco Glass brand offers a blueprint for how circular economy principles can be integrated into the tourism sector.
A key element of the program’s success has been the creative design of the souvenirs, which often feature marine motifs that resonate with Palau’s identity. The high‑quality craftsmanship and the sustainable story behind each piece create a narrative that appeals to ecoconscious visitors.
Furthermore, the program’s visibility has attracted international media coverage, amplifying Palau’s reputation as a leading example of environmental stewardship in the Pacific region.
While the initial focus was solely on providing a market for recycled glass, the expansion into an established brand demonstrates how environmental initiatives can scale up over time.
Currently, artisans in Koroat are engaged in multiple stages of production, from collecting bottles to hand‑blowing the melted glass into finished works. They also perform intricate decorative work, ensuring that each item tells a story of Palau’s underwater ecosystems.
The collaborative model—combining local skills with international expertise—has been instrumental in increasing product quality and variety. This partnership approach models how knowledge transfer can help small island nations develop sustainable industries.
Moreover, the initiative’s success has spurred local governance to continue investing in waste management infrastructure, giving Palau a clearer path to become a zero‑waste society.
Fuji’s name has become synonymous with innovation in Palau, and his role as a consultant continues to influence policy decisions related to recycling and sustainable tourism development.
In addition, the workshop provides a learning space for future generations, allowing citizens to observe the process of sustainable production in real‑time, thereby nurturing a culture that values environmental responsibility.
In the long term, the Belau Eco Glass brand could serve as a model for other tourism-heavy island economies where waste management is a critical issue, proving that environmental protection and economic growth need not be mutually exclusive.
