Recycling in Japan: Improving waste management

The world has generated 2.01 billion metric tons of municipal solid waste in 2016, and this number is expected to grow as much as 3.4 billion metric tons by 2050. Japan generated 42.89 million tons of waste in fiscal 2019, meaning 938 grams of waste was generated per day by each citizen last year. This number has been gradually decreasing over the last ten years, however, much effort is needed to reduce waste in Japan. If this waste generation continues, the country’s landfill is expected to be filled up in approximately 20 years’ time.

In addition, economic growth in developing economies has rapidly increased the global waste disposal volume, effecting both the environment and human health. Discharge volume of used household electronic appliances in Southeast Asia is soaring, and is expected to keep growing in the future. In the midst of global and domestic waste problems, Japan is seeking a way to establish an efficient circular economy. This article will explain how Japan has managed to regulate waste problems to this day, and its vision to establish a circular economy.

Understanding historic trend of recycling in Japan

Looking back in history, Japan’s waste generation grew rapidly in the 1960s. The annual waste generation was approximately 8.91 million tons in 1960s, whereas the number soared to 43.94 million tons by 1980s. Production of plastic products also increased rapidly during the same period, from 0.5 million tons to 7.5 million tons.

High economic growth in the post war era accelerated domestic industrialization, also causing environmental pollution problems. During this period, pollution resulting from discarding hazardous waste became a social problem.

A chemical factory in Kumamoto Prefecture generated hazardous waste which contaminated seawater, polluting fish and other seafood. This resulted in severe health damage to people who ate them. Harmful substance discarded from factories in Gifu Prefecture caused water pollution, harming those who ate rice grown in the surrounding area. The government was forced to enact laws in order to regulate discharge of these hazardous waste to protect the public health and living environment.

However, regulating harmful waste was not enough to stop the increase of waste generation in Japan. Late 1980s to early 1990s is referred to as ‘the bubble economy.’ Rapid economic growth during this period increased both municipal waste and production of plastic bottles. Because the amount of waste increased so rapidly, not all combustible waste was incinerated, but were brought to landfills; causing shortage of capacity. [Reference 1, 2]

Basic Recycling Act: Introducing reduce, reuse and recycle

To resolve these problems, the government began to promote ‘3Rs’—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle— to shift the economic system from mass production and mass consumption to a ‘Sound Material-Cycle Society.’

Basic Recycling Act enacted in 2000 gives an idea of what a Sound Material-Cycle Society is; the main factors are resource recycling and waste management to reduce natural resource consumption and reduce the impact on the environment. Its aims are to (1) Reduce waste generation, (2) Reuse, (3) Recycle, (4) Thermal recycle heat recovery, and (5) Enhance appropriate disposal. [Reference 3]

Entering the new century of circular economy

In the previous century, the global socioeconomic model was based on what is called a ‘linear economy model.’ This model lead to excess production and consumption, mass disposal, and consumed vast amount of natural resources in developed countries. However, the world is now moving toward creating a ‘circular economy model,’ where resources are used repeatedly and minimizing waste is valued. Japan is also tackling to achieve this circular economy and realizing a Sound Material-Cycle Society is one of its concrete measures. [Reference 4]

Although there are much more ‘Rs’ promoted in creating a circular economy, such as ‘Regenerate’ or ‘Recover,’ Recycle is still a very important factor in achieving a Sound Material-Cycle Society. Due to education and efficient publicity campaigns by the government and private sectors, many Japanese are working positively to recycle plastic, paper and other materials in their everyday lives. Many are willing to sort waste and this recycling habit has become part of people’s lifestyle in Japan.

Of course, this behavior is not only because it’s an act of conscience. There are incentives that compel citizens to recycle. For instance, a lot of municipalities in Japan charge citizens to discard waste. People must purchase waste bags to discard municipal solid waste. Bags for plastic waste is less expensive compared to other waste to induce citizens to sort used plastic that can be recycled. Paper, empty cans, glass bottles and plastic bottles are usually collected at no charge. Therefore, to keep the disposal cost as low as possible, people sort their waste and recycle as much as they could.

Improving recycling in Japan

But when we look at the current recycling rate in Japan, which is approximately 20%, it is clear the current status is far from an ideal circular economy. What is worse is that this rate has begun to level off in recent years.

Incentives for systems for recycling

Therefore, the government, private sectors and individuals need to set clearly defined goals and act to achieve them. Government could effectively stimulate private sectors by rewarding companies’ investments in sustainable business plans. It can also give credit to individuals for reducing waste and recycling resources. In other countries, for example in the city of Amsterdam, collecting waste and recycling them is rewarded. The city encourages residents to collect waste in plastic bags prepared for this waste collecting scheme, and residents are reward digital coins for every bag they fill up.

However, giving rewards for collecting waste could lead to generating more waste if people do not have the right mindset. Therefore, rewards should be kept small, or perhaps be combined with a different purpose; for instance, giving merchandise coupons that can be used at local stores which could contribute to reducing waste and activate regional development at the same time.

Encouraging a sustainable consumption pattern

Another effective measure to trigger the transition of consumption and waste generation behavior could be to charge tax on using non-recycled resource or manufacturing single-use plastic.

For example, excessive packaging is an issue that needs to be revised as soon as possible in Japan. Because Japanese consumers are highly sensitive about food hygiene, most products sold at stores are packed in plastic. Groceries like vegetables, meat and fish are placed on plastic food trays or containers, then covered with plastic wraps or bags. Even a single onion is wrapped in a small plastic package for customers who wish to purchase a small portion.

Because the understanding of aiming for a sustainable society has spread to many individuals, a lot of people have come to know excessive packaging is needless and unsustainable. But consumers have no choice but to purchase merchandise with excessive packaging at present. If the government or municipalities charge tax on using plastic to sell merchandise, stores and manufacturers are likely to use less plastic. Likewise, if tax is charged on single-use plastic, consumers will be motivated to purchase recycled or reusable products because businesses will shift the cost onto the product price, making single-use plastic more expensive than others.

Becoming a sustainable society through waste management

To reduce waste and to achieve a sustainable society, each individual and sectors must come together to make action. Since people have got used to using plastic and generating plastic waste, it may be time to shift the mindset by changing the consumption behavior through surtax. Additional cost for plastic products and packaging could change individuals’ choice effectively and may induce businesses to make efforts to develop replacements or change their service. And of course, for individuals who had no choice but to choose food wrapped with plastic will then be able to choose environmentally friendly products.