So here’s a sticky situation. 90,000 tonnes of wood is wasted every year in Japan, strictly from disposable chopsticks. Researchers estimate about 200 pairs of chopsticks per person living in Japan. A lot of Westerns might say, “Get with the times and use a fork,” but the Japanese aren’t going to sway from tradition and preference. However, they are looking at ways to reduce their global footprint when it comes to their food utensils.