Wooden apple crates get new lease on lifeーNHK WORLD-JAPAN NEWS

Key Concepts:

• Apple crates
• Upcycling/Repurposing
• Aomori Prefecture
• Wooden crates
• Sustainability
• Cultural heritage
• Family business

Aomori's Apple Harvest and Traditional Wooden Crates

Aomori Prefecture, Japan's largest apple producer, relies on traditional wooden crates for shipping its harvest. These crates, used for over a century, are crucial for maintaining apple freshness due to their humidity-controlling properties, and are also believed to enhance color and aroma. While plastic crates are common elsewhere, 80% of crates in Aomori are wooden.

The Family Business and the Vision for Repurposing

A family business has been crafting these wooden crates for over 70 years, with skilled workers producing approximately 100,000 annually. These crates have a lifespan of about 30 years before being discarded. Ubasawa Masadu, the company president, grew up witnessing the crates being thrown away and felt a desire to find a new purpose for them, recognizing their historical significance to the apple industry. As he stated, "It felt sad to see the crates tossed out. They've supported the apple industry, so I wanted to give them a new role and purpose."

Repurposing Process and Design Philosophy

Ubasawa's initiative involves repurposing the old crates into furniture and other everyday items. The process begins with washing off dirt, followed by breaking down the crates. A key aspect of this transformation is preserving the crates' unique texture and character. Ubasawa emphasizes this, saying, "I want to maintain the feeling that these were apple crates. So we even leave traces of writing done at the market." This approach ensures that the history and origin of the materials are still evident in the final products.

Real-World Application: Shared Office Space

An example of this repurposing is a shared office space that opened last year. The meeting room is furnished with items made from these old apple crates. Users have reportedly valued the connection to Aomori's culture that these repurposed items provide. One user commented, "It's a talking point in meetings and I really like it." This highlights how the furniture serves not only a functional purpose but also as a cultural connector, linking current users to the farmers and market workers who were historically connected to the crates.

Preserving History and Culture

Ubasawa's ultimate goal is for people to cherish the stories associated with these crates. He believes, "They've been around a long time. I don't want this history and culture to fade away." The project aims to ensure that Aomori's traditional apple crates continue to be central to the region's identity, not just through their role in the harvest but also by bringing their natural warmth and history into unexpected, everyday uses.

Conclusion

Aomori's traditional wooden apple crates, once discarded, are now being given a new life through creative repurposing. This initiative, driven by a desire to preserve history and culture, transforms old crates into furniture and everyday items, maintaining their unique character and connecting people to the region's agricultural heritage. The project demonstrates a sustainable approach to material use while celebrating the legacy of a long-standing industry.