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Mottainai

Definition

Mottainai expresses regret over wasting resources or being wasteful. It promotes the idea of cherishing and utilizing things fully to minimize waste.

Analogy

Imagine you have a limited amount of money for shopping. Instead of buying unnecessary items that will end up unused or thrown away, mottainai encourages you to make thoughtful purchases and make the most out of what you have.

Related terms

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle (3R): The concept of 3R aligns with mottainai by promoting actions to reduce waste generation, reuse items whenever possible, and recycle materials instead of throwing them away.

Sustainable Living: Sustainable living involves making choices that minimize negative impacts on the environment by conserving resources, reducing waste, and adopting eco-friendly practices.

Circular Economy: A circular economy aims to eliminate waste by designing products in a way that allows their components to be reused or recycled at the end of their life cycle.



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© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.