A nail salon owner near Tokyo is finding creative ways to fight plastic pollution. Naomi Arimoto, once a social worker, now uses microplastics collected from beaches to make unique nail art. She got the idea during beach cleanups, where she saw large amounts of plastic waste along the shore. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature, about 20 million metric tons of plastic are improperly disposed of every year, causing serious environmental damage. To tackle this problem, a United Nations summit in Busan, South Korea, on November 25 will aim to create a global treaty to reduce plastic production. Environmental groups say this summit is an important step in solving the plastic crisis.

Arimoto turns the plastic waste into fashion by cleaning, sorting, and melting it into colorful discs, which she attaches to artificial nails. These eco-friendly creations, priced at 12,760 yen ($82.52), attract customers who admire the combination of aesthetics and environmental awareness. Although her work is small-scale, Arimoto hopes it inspires more people to take action. Customers like Kyoko Kurokawa love the idea, saying it blends sustainability with everyday life. Experts believe that projects like Arimoto’s show how recycling can be practical and raise awareness. By turning pollution into art, Arimoto demonstrates how creativity and teamwork can help protect the planet.