Gateway to Sustainability in Japan
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Circular economy: Key to a sustainable future

The conventional linear economy model takes raw material to make a product and sells it to consumers, who at the end of the product’s life dispose of it. On the other hand, the circular economy model can close the circuit of consumption, keeping products and materials in use. How can we find the right balance of development between society, the economy and the environment? Let’s break this big question down into smaller questions so we can better answer it.

Commonly Asked Questions

Which country is doing the best moving away from nuclear power?

After Fukushima’s nuclear meltdown in 2011, Germany made the decision to shut down all 17 of its reactors by 2022. The country aims to free itself from the risks of nuclear accidents that could linger for an indeterminate period of time. Although this shift meant a temporary increase in fossil fuel use in the country initially, Germany has been positively transitioning towards renewables in recent years.

According to the German Environmental Agency (Umweltbundesamt – UBA), 2019 marked the first year that electricity production from renewables was greater than that of coal, covering 42% of power consumption with 243 billion kWh of electricity.

In 2020, partially due to the coronavirus pandemic that slowed the economy, Germany’s renewable energy generation surpassed the energy generated from oil, natural gas and coal combined for the first time. Furthermore, solar panel installations saw a 25% increase compared to 2019. Thanks to this, 49.3% of Germany’s electricity came from renewables, mainly from wind and solar.

How does Japan see nuclear power?

Before the Fukushima nuclear accident in 2011, 11% of Japan’s energy was supplied by nuclear power, while fossil fuels supplied 80%. Nuclear power lost most of its share after the nuclear accident, and consequently, dependence on fossil fuels increased. To combat this, the country’s current energy plan calls for nuclear energy to account for 20%–22% of energy output by 2030. However, despite the central government’s ambitions, the plan is experiencing a backlash because of the lack of support by local governments.

Takahama Nuclear Power Plant in Fukui Prefecture received the green light from the town’s mayor to resume operations. This came with the condition of building interim storage for its spent nuclear fuel outside of the town. However, with no neighboring localities willing to host such storage facilities, Mutsu-city in Aomori, more than 1000 km from Takahama, was singled out. Mutsu facility, funded jointly by Tokyo Electric Power Company and Japan Atomic Power, plans to start its operation in April. However, the road has not been smooth, and how the facility will be used still has not been clearly determined.

In many cases like the Takahama scenario, parties involved often are challenged by local governments and communities as they seek host locations for nuclear facilities.

Why are people opposed to nuclear power?

Safety concerns are the main factor of the public image of nuclear power. This is not only limited to its underdeveloped waste management system but also traumatic nuclear accidents in the past.

Nuclear waste can stay active for hundreds of thousands of years, and most of the waste is often temporarily stored in on-site pools for a few years to cool the fuel and limit radiation. However, in 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and a tsunami hit a nuclear plant in Fukushima, damaging the cooling system. Three reactors exploded, releasing radiation into the environment. Residents within a 20 km radius of the plant were forced to leave their homes. As of 2019, 52,000 residents remained displaced due to the radioactive residue that contaminated the area.

Until a reliable and resilient system emerges that can ensure the safety, nuclear energy is unlikely to dispel its negative image.

What are the negative effects of nuclear waste?

Nuclear waste refers to the byproducts of nuclear reactors. One of the biggest challenges of a nuclear power plant is how to manage this spent fuel after the power has been generated. Spent nuclear fuel is dangerously radioactive and has the potential to release a poisonous chemical element called plutonium into the environment.

In fact, exposure to radioactive waste can cause cancerous growths in humans and genetic damage or mutation to animals and plants. These changes, therefore, could prevent sustainable procreation. Additionally, radioactive waste of the leftover fuel from the reactor can remain active for hundreds of thousands of years.

Without proper and efficient waste management in place, nuclear waste would pose a devastating threat to human, animal and plant habitats.

What are the sustainable benefits of nuclear power?

Aside from its safety and waste concerns, nuclear power is considered one of the most viable options for sustainable energy solutions. This owes to its clean, efficient production of power. Nuclear power is often praised for its ability to generate enormous amounts of energy with a small carbon footprint.

Nuclear energy is often fueled by a natural resource called uranium, found in rocks and seawater. This heavy metal undergoes a controlled chain reaction that generates heat and electricity. Uranium is known to be a significantly more powerful material than coal. While 1 kg of coal will create 8 kWh of power, the same amount of uranium will create 24,000,000 kWh of power. Although the construction of power plants can generate some carbon emissions, very few emissions result from the consumption of uranium at the plants. Therefore, the risk of creating air pollution is low.

Moreover, as opposed to other renewable energy methods such as solar and wind, nuclear power offers reliable power production at all times. Not only are they weather-independent, but nuclear power plants also require less maintenance. One plant can operate up to two years before refueling.

[Related article] What are the negative effects of nuclear waste?

Which country is leading the way in wind energy?

Supported by economic policy and technological advancement, China now has a leading position in wind energy. As of 2019, China’s wind energy generation exceeded 221 gigawatts. This accounts for more than a third of the world’s wind energy capacity.

China is currently focused on promoting offshore wind installation rather than the kind of onshore farms that can be found in the northern part of the country. Despite the abundant desert wind, the northern farms experienced low demand in their neighboring rural communities. Instead of transporting this electricity to consumers in more power-hungry regions, China transitioned to offshore farms on the east coast. The country finds greater demand for power there due to its dense population and bustling economic activity.

In 2014, the Chinese government set feed-in tariffs to promote the installation of offshore wind turbines. Combined with the technical innovation of developing typhoon-proof turbines that can withstand high speeds of wind, China was able to gear up manufacturing. While the peak of installation has come to an end due to a new pricing policy, more policy coordination and technological advancements are expected given China’s 2060 carbon neutrality goal.

Why is wind energy considered sustainable?

Wind power refers to the generation of electricity using wind turbines, which are driven by the wind or air flows. Due to the performance-enhancing built-in mechanism, the blades are always aligned with the direction of the wind. This mechanism also tilts the blades based on the wind speed, ensuring efficient operation.

The wind is an infinite resource available anywhere on the planet, as long as the sun is available to cause the changes in temperature that create it. Therefore, it helps to reduce the dependence on exhaustible energy resources, such as petroleum and coal. Wind power is also known to be a clean fuel source, as it doesn’t emit any greenhouse gases nor cause pollution when plants are running. Although the manufacturing process involves some carbon emissions, a wind turbine offsets its emissions within a year of operation. Moreover, these turbines can operate for more than 30 years.

What are the disadvantages of generating electricity from waste?

Effective incinerators are expensive to build, therefore, it can take years until the economic benefits start to materialize. For example, in the U.S., a trash incinerator plant costs $280 million to build, which is two to three times more expensive than building and operating a landfill. This is partly because of the price of scrubber technologies. However, without the proper employment of air pollution control devices, some harmful pollutants can be released into the atmosphere.

The key to waste-to-energy is high-quality recycling. Without a well-managed recycling system in place, waste-to-energy plants alone could discourage reducing and recycling waste. Usually, waste-to-energy plants only burn non-recyclables, putting these waste materials to the best possible use. European countries with the highest recycling rates, such as Sweden, Germany and the Netherlands, are among the countries with the most waste-to-energy facilities and usage in Europe.

[Related article] What are the benefits of waste-to-energy?|Zenbird

What are the benefits of waste-to-energy?

The role of waste-to-energy plants is to turn non-recyclable waste into heat and electricity, thus reducing landfill usage and the need to burn fossil fuels. Simultaneously, waste-to-energy plants also help reduce the levels of methane generated from organic waste in landfills. This is a significant benefit as methane is 28 times more powerful than CO2 at warming the Earth.

In Sweden, less than 1% of waste is sent to landfills thanks to its efficient waste management systems. 49% of household waste, such as metals, plastics, newspapers, batteries and electronics, are recycled, while 50% of non-recyclable waste, including organic waste, is incinerated and converted into power. 1.2 million households in the country receive heat generated from trash-powered plants through the centralized system of district heating.

Moreover, Sweden imports at least 2 million tons of waste from other European countries such as the UK and Norway. These countries pay Sweden to accept their trash because it costs less than incinerating it at their facilities. Coupled with its high recycling standards, Sweden benefits from its energy-efficient waste treatment systems that contribute environmentally and financially.

What organizations are promoting circular economy in Japan?

Google Trends shows that Japanese searches for “circular economy” have been on the rise since the beginning of 2019. There are several organizations behind this surge. Among them, Circular Economy Japan is working to build a circular economy in the country, not only by raising awareness but also by connecting stakeholders through its platforms and events. Last year, the organization helped facilitate the outdoor event, “Green Work Hakuba” and the online event, “The Leading Edge of the Circular Economy,” inviting business leaders and activists to share know-how and best practices. Circular Economy Hub also educates others on topics about circular economy.

Yokohama city is known for its commitment towards SDGs, as well as a plan to carbon neutral by 2050 with its “Zero Carbon Yokohama” goal. The city is currently promoting a collective renewable energy scheme for households, partnering with neighboring cities such as Kawasaki and Sagamihara. Additionally, a platform called “Circular Yokohama” spreads awareness of the circular economy at a grassroots level.

How can countries improve their ecological footprints?

The ecological footprint measures the supply and demand of nature. That is, we can use it to compare how a population consumes natural resources and how much the environment provides to sustain their lifestyle.

Global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels, for instance, are a major contributor to our ecological footprints. Therefore, countries like the Netherlands are seeking sustainable modes of transport to curb their emissions.

In 2016, the Dutch government decided that all newly procured buses must be zero-emissions from 2025. Furthermore, from 2030, all buses in operation must be zero-emissions. Their focus is on electric buses, whose growth is already increasing rapidly. The number of electric buses increased from 360 to 770 between 2018 and 2019 and has reached 1,163 in 2020.

The government is diversifying emission-free transport options with hydrogen buses, which only emit water when running. They can run more than 400 km in 18 hours and refuel in only 10 minutes. The technology for hydrogen-fuelled buses can be applied to other modes of transport, including trucks, ships and trains.

(Image: footprintnetwork.org)

What is zero waste?

Zero waste is an approach that helps us redesign our life and society to significantly reduce, and eliminate the use of materials that eventually end up in landfills. To actualize this shift towards sustainable consumption patterns, efforts and commitment must come from consumers, businesses and governments.

On a personal level, we can reduce the amount of waste we produce by carefully managing our purchases. At the same time, we should maximize the lifecycle of products by reusing and recycling them. For businesses, it’s also important to design built-to-last or cradle-to-cradle products and packages and seek energy-efficient manufacturing processes. All of these methods can prevent waste at its source.

On a systematic level, governments and communities must establish policies and incentives that support citizens’ participation in zero-waste efforts. Unfortunately, our current economy heavily relies on a linear industrial system in which products are thrown away at the end of their short lifecycles, and never used again. To achieve zero waste, it is essential for all actors in society to change the way we manage waste.

[Related article] Zero Waste in Japan

How can cities be made more sustainable?

We can take a page from Copenhagen’s transition to a green society that comes from its push towards accessible sustainability. In fact, the city’s proven examples are something we can all strive for.

Copenhagen is bidding to become a carbon-neutral city by 2025. For instance, the city has been promoting cycling as an everyday mode of transport. To realize this, the city introduced cyclist-only bridges and tunnels across the city’s famous canals and increased bike lanes and bicycle parking spots in many parts of the city. As of 2019, 62% of people in Copenhagen commute by bicycle. The city is also working towards establishing a green mobility system. This includes the operation of electric, hydrogen-powered city buses, as well as the opening of extensive metro lines that connect major parts of the city.

Furthermore, the city’s heating system is powered by waste and biomass and operates through a network of pipes connected to 99% of homes in Copenhagen. This efficient use of energy helps save the city 200,000 tons of oil each year and 665,000 tons of CO2. The cooling system uses the water in the harbor, also distributed through the city via another network of pipes.

Why should I care about sustainability?

Simply put, sustainability means that our society can continue without negatively impacting future generations’ quality of life. At its core, it’s about finding the right balance of development between society, the economy and the environment. However, the problem is that we’re far from meeting this ideal.

The unprecedented economic growth our society has enjoyed was made possible thanks to natural resources, which have been used as raw materials and fuel. However, their intense exploitation is jeopardizing the future of our planet through rising temperatures, loss of biodiversity and pollution.

Given that the economy affects the way we live as a society, we need to ensure that growth benefits everyone, not just the wealthiest. Nonetheless, if we do not reorient economic development around sustainability, the 21st century could be characterized by social instability, environmental disasters and reversal of global progress.

[Related article] Sustainability in Japan|Zenbird

What are the disadvantages of a linear economy?

A linear economy has long been promoted in the name of productivity. However, its core “take-make-waste” ethos stands at a critical juncture due to its widely reported environmental disadvantages and resource scarcity.

The extraction and collection of raw materials require high energy and water consumption. Additionally, the production process emits many toxic substances, which puts a heavy strain on the environment. Furthermore, the accumulation of waste resulting from accelerated production and consumption is also detrimental to our ecosystem.

Another problem with using natural resources, including mineral and fossil fuels, is that they are non-renewable, meaning they will eventually run out. For example, the CIA World Factbooks estimates that oil will run out by 2052, while coal and natural gas could only last until 2060. This is simply the current estimate. Perhaps, the last days of these limited resources may come sooner if exploitation continues at its current speed.

What is a circular economy?

A circular economy is a set of sustainable economic practices. It is driven by the efficient use of finite resources and the minimization of waste. This involves keeping products and materials in use, in contrast to the linear economy where businesses operate based on a take-make-waste model. Unfortunately, the linear model takes raw material to make a product and sells it to consumers, who at the end of the product’s life dispose of it.

However, Dutch conglomerate Philips shows us how a circular economy can look like. It is at the forefront of companies implementing a circular system, using a make-use-return model. Instead of selling lightbulbs, the company provides lighting as a service while retaining ownership of the bulbs. Customers, in turn, can save money by paying only for the lease on the bulbs. They can also be free from the hassle of discarding and replacing blown bulbs themselves. Moreover, this model allows the company to pursue better maintenance and improvement of its products, contributing to fostering a lasting customer relationship.

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Why is recycling important?

Recycling is one of the most beneficial waste management practices. It saves resources, energy and the environment while reducing landfill usage.

Take plastics, for instance, the versatile yet problematic material at the center of the global waste reduction movement. Plastics are made from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas and crude oil, whose extraction can disrupt wildlife habitats. Moreover, air and water pollution generated from the processing of plastics involves chemical additives that could put human health at risk.

Recycling means using materials that have been used more than once, reducing the need to consume new resources. This also saves the energy required to make new products from scratch. If waste isn’t recycled, it means that it’ll be sent to landfill sites. Giving plastics another life delays the final disposal, after which it usually takes more than 400 years for them to degrade in landfills.

How can the transition to a circular economy be achieved?

Progress towards a circular economy should include not only individual efforts through better consumption habits. Systemic change at a policy level is vital too. For example, the South Korean government banned dumping food waste in landfills in 2005. Subsequently, in 2013, it introduced a compulsory food waste recycling program. Since then, South Korean residents have been required to discard their food waste either in dedicated biodegradable bags sold at supermarkets or via pay-as-you-recycle machines that recognize each user by scanning an ID card.

As a result, South Korea now recycles 95% of its food waste, a remarkable jump from 2% in 1995. The collected waste is processed by private contractor Naen into animal feed and biogas. To reduce their waste and recycling fees, some South Koreans are taking on home composting.

The case in South Korea illustrates the significance of collaboration among consumers, companies and the government. As more governments introduce policies that incentivize waste reduction and resource efficiency, consumers’ awareness of sustainability grows. The governments’ actions, therefore, make it easier for companies to adopt circular approaches.

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