Mottainai

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Mottainai written on a truck, followed by the sentence "I strive towards zero emission"

Mottainai (Japanese: もったいない or 勿体無い) is a Japanese phrase conveying a sense of regret over waste, or to state that one does not deserve something because it is too good. The term can be translated to English as "What a waste!"[1][2] or the old saying, "Waste not, want not."[3] Japanese environmentalists have used the term to encourage people to "reduce, reuse and recycle". Kenyan environmentalist Wangari Maathai has used the term at the United Nations as a slogan to promote environmental protection.[2]

  1. ^ "Mottainai Grandma Reminds Japan, 'Don't Waste'". NPR.org.
  2. ^ a b Siniawer 2014.
  3. ^ Mottainai: In Japan, creativity is key to a no-waste ideal BBC News, Johnny Motley, 25 January 2024