Is Zero Waste Life coming back?
Zero Waste Life (2021–present) on NHK World
The answer: Currently airing — last episode May 16, 2026.
6seasons
85episodes
About Zero Waste Life
Zero Waste Life's return is unconfirmed. The show last aired in January 2026, and there is no scheduled new season or episode at this time.
Zero Waste Life was a documentary series that premiered on June 4, 2021, on NHK World. It focused on individuals across Japan who aimed to live without waste, inspired by the traditional philosophy of "MOTTAINAI," which emphasizes cherishing resources and reducing wastefulness. The series explored different approaches to sustainability and environmental consciousness, highlighting personal stories and community efforts.
Its episodes typically had a runtime of 15 minutes each.
Zero Waste Life episode schedule
85 aired
Aired · 85
| Date | Ep. | Title |
|---|---|---|
| May 16, 2026 | S2026·E3 | Putting Out Waste |
| March 7, 2026 | S2026·E2 | Kimono Shoes |
| January 25, 2026 | S2026·E1 | Rubbish Remodeled |
| September 28, 2025 | S2025·E12 | Bamboo Lights the Way |
| August 31, 2025 | S2025·E11 | Pineapple Power |
| June 29, 2025 | S2025·E10 | Sails Unfurled Again |
| June 22, 2025 | S2025·E9 | Essence of the Forest |
| May 25, 2025 | S2025·E8 | No Stone Wasted |
| May 18, 2025 | S2025·E7 | Milk Carton Magic |
| April 27, 2025 | S2025·E6 | Sea Ice Glass |
| March 28, 2025 | S2025·E5 | Pottery Island |
| March 21, 2025 | S2025·E4 | Zero Waste Family |
| March 14, 2025 | S2025·E3 | The Time Maker |
| February 21, 2025 | S2025·E2 | The Recycle Bar |
| January 31, 2025 | S2025·E1 | Waste Fabric, New Material |
| December 27, 2024 | S2024·E19 | Sakiori: Woven in Respect |
| November 22, 2024 | S2024·E18 | Bread Crust Brewing |
| October 25, 2024 | S2024·E17 | Farmer's Veggie Soap |
| October 18, 2024 | S2024·E16 | Sea Nuisance, Sea Treasure |
| September 27, 2024 | S2024·E15 | Fueled by Ramen |
| September 20, 2024 | S2024·E14 | Bridal Upcycle |
| August 30, 2024 | S2024·E13 | Zero Waste Cafe |
| August 9, 2024 | S2024·E12 | Sea Trash Jams |
| June 27, 2024 | S2024·E11 | Peanut Leather |
| June 20, 2024 | S2024·E10 | The Plant Rescuer |
| May 24, 2024 | S2024·E9 | Knitting the Future |
| May 17, 2024 | S2024·E8 | Waste Flowers by Candlelight |
| April 19, 2024 | S2024·E7 | Judo Gis Forever |
| March 22, 2024 | S2024·E6 | Clothing Rescue Atelier |
| March 15, 2024 | S2024·E5 | Upcycling Old School |
Show 55 earlier episodes
| February 9, 2024 | S2024·E4 | Doll Revival |
| February 2, 2024 | S2024·E3 | Life of the Mountain |
| January 26, 2024 | S2024·E2 | Folk House 4: Autumn Leaves |
| January 19, 2024 | S2024·E1 | Folk House 3: Thoughts of Summer |
| December 29, 2023 | S2023·E17 | Life Less Plastic |
| December 22, 2023 | S2023·E16 | Preserving the Seasons |
| October 20, 2023 | S2023·E15 | A Toast to Waste |
| October 13, 2023 | S2023·E14 | Furniture: Shabby to Chic |
| September 29, 2023 | S2023·E13 | Bicycle Upcycle Cycle |
| September 22, 2023 | S2023·E12 | Local Produce, Local Color |
| August 25, 2023 | S2023·E11 | Old Glove, New Dreams |
| July 28, 2023 | S2023·E10 | Sawdust Clay |
| July 21, 2023 | S2023·E9 | Tick-Tock Transformation |
| June 30, 2023 | S2023·E8 | Food Waste Washi |
| May 26, 2023 | S2023·E7 | Sea Trash Nails |
| April 21, 2023 | S2023·E6 | Full Trash Alchemist |
| March 24, 2023 | S2023·E5 | Clothes to the Earth |
| March 17, 2023 | S2023·E4 | Life Taken, Life Received |
| February 24, 2023 | S2023·E3 | Furniture in Blue |
| February 17, 2023 | S2023·E2 | Denim Daruma |
| January 27, 2023 | S2023·E1 | Stuffed Animal Hospital |
| December 22, 2022 | S2022·E20 | Clean Beaches, Cleaner Plates |
| November 25, 2022 | S2022·E19 | Subway Bag |
| November 18, 2022 | S2022·E18 | Old Decks, New Tricks |
| October 28, 2022 | S2022·E17 | Loaves of Light |
| October 21, 2022 | S2022·E16 | Good Shoes Never Die |
| September 2, 2022 | S2022·E15 | Altar Accessories |
| August 5, 2022 | S2022·E14 | Timeless Stained Glass |
| July 8, 2022 | S2022·E13 | Tent, Trash, Fashion! |
| June 17, 2022 | S2022·E12 | Retro Panes to the Future |
| June 10, 2022 | S2022·E11 | Folk House 2: The Gift of Spring |
| May 27, 2022 | S2022·E10 | Jeans Genie |
| May 6, 2022 | S2022·E9 | Handmade Green Living |
| April 15, 2022 | S2022·E8 | Eatery Happiness Exchange |
| March 21, 2022 | S2022·E7 | Folk House: The Beauty of Age |
| March 11, 2022 | S2022·E6 | Back in Black |
| March 4, 2022 | S2022·E5 | More than Mom's Hand-me-down |
| February 11, 2022 | S2022·E4 | Scrap Car to Tough Bag |
| February 4, 2022 | S2022·E3 | Piano Heartwood |
| January 14, 2022 | S2022·E2 | Portrait in Cork |
| January 7, 2022 | S2022·E1 | Old Clothes, New Shine |
| December 17, 2021 | S2021·E14 | A Harvest of Colors |
| December 10, 2021 | S2021·E13 | Glass for Life |
| December 3, 2021 | S2021·E12 | Scrap Can Shine |
| November 12, 2021 | S2021·E11 | A School Bag Forever |
| November 5, 2021 | S2021·E10 | Green Mountain Grandma |
| October 1, 2021 | S2021·E9 | Floral Incarnation |
| September 10, 2021 | S2021·E8 | Waste Wood Sonata |
| September 3, 2021 | S2021·E7 | Zako: Trash Fish Is Treasure |
| August 13, 2021 | S2021·E6 | From Rubbish to Rainbow |
| August 6, 2021 | S2021·E5 | Lumber Rescue |
| July 9, 2021 | S2021·E4 | Discarded Umbrellas Reborn |
| July 2, 2021 | S2021·E3 | The Toy Doctor |
| June 11, 2021 | S2021·E2 | Asakusa Washi: Omikuji Recycling |
| June 4, 2021 | S2021·E1 | Kintsugi: Giving New Life to Broken Vessels |