Green Mark
The Green Mark can be found on products that
use recycled paper. One can collect these marks and trade them for various eco-friendly
items, including saplings of one's choice and notebooks containing recycled
paper. The purpose is to promote the use of recycled products and the greening
of the environment. Green Mark stamps are only accepted from such organizations
as schools (elementary through high school) and neighborhood associations.
Photo: Club members care for their kenaf plants. (Kijima Elementary School)
Kenaf
Kenaf is a kind
of hemp. It's an annual plant (which means it lives for only one year) that
can replace wood pulp as paper-making material. Because of its high level of
photosynthetic activity, the plant takes in five times as much carbon dioxide
as an average broad-leaved tree. Kenaf is also said to have the ability to purify
lakes and marshes, so it's attracting attention as an eco-friendly plant.
