Kitakyushu City’s growth was based historically on development of heavy industry, such as iron and steel. Successfully addressing serious environmental pollution caused during the period of industrial growth, the city has been recognized internationally as an eco-friendly city. Having experienced the decline of heavy industry, the city promoted an “environmental recycling industry” as one of the next-generation industries. Meanwhile, waste volumes were increasing all over Japan due to mass production and waste. In order to address such waste-related issues, the city developed the Kitakyushu Eco-Town Plan, which was approved by the national government in 1997 as the first case of “Eco-Town Project”. The project generated positive impacts on economy, society and environment in Kitakyushu City.