Kids Web Japan

Q. What kinds of recycling are common in Japan?

A.

The types of recycling now being carried out on a full scale in Japan are for steel cans, aluminum cans, and glass bottles. According to statistics for fiscal 2004, 87.1% of steel cans were recycled, as were 86.1% of aluminum cans and 90.7% of glass bottles. Also, 68.5% of newspapers and other used paper were recycled in 2004. Recycling of plastic bottles has also started. 46.4% of PET bottles were recycled in fiscal 2004, one of the highest levels in the world. (PET stands for polyethylene terephthalate; it's the type of plastic commonly used for clear plastic bottles of mineral water and other soft drinks.)

Under the Law for the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recommercialization of Containers and Packages effective April 1997, food manufacturers and businesses like department stores and supermarkets have to recycle the bottles, cans, PET bottles, boxes, bags, and other containers or packaging that they use. The purpose of the law is to reduce the amount of rubbish that has to be disposed of. This should increase the rate of recycling. In March 2003, the government decided on the Basic Plan for Promoting the Creation of a Recycling-Oriented Society, which cuts waste, promotes recycling of resources, restrains the consumption of natural resources, and reduces the environmental burden as much as possible. In addition, the Household Electric Appliance Recycling Law took effect in April 2001.

Photos courtesy of Tokyo Metropolitan Government.