Recycling of Waste in Japan: Progress from 2000 to the 2020s

Recycling of Waste in Japan: Progress from 2000 to the 2020s

--- (Japanese only)

#### Situation and issues in 2000

In 2000, Japan was trying to build a "recycling-oriented society" to cope with the rapid increase in waste. Fifty-two million tons of waste was generated annually, 9 million of which was plastic waste. The government set a goal of raising the plastic recycling rate to 25% by 2005 and promoted the spread of reuse technologies.

Reuse of organic waste was also promoted, with Sapporo City composting 8,000 tons of food waste per year and supplying it to local farmers. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government also aimed to reduce waste and CO₂ emissions by using biogas as fuel for metropolitan buses. Because of a lack of recycling facilities in rural areas, the government expanded its subsidy program to support efficient waste management.

---.

#### Current Status and Progress in the 2020s

In the 2020s, Japan's total waste volume continued to decline, falling to 40.95 million tons in 2021; per capita waste emissions also fell to 890 grams per day, thanks to strict separation and collection practices and government educational efforts. However, 87% of plastic recycling is heat recovery with incineration, which requires decarbonization.

Companies are also working to develop new technologies. Sekisui Chemical is currently working on a project to produce 2,000 liters of ethanol per year from waste. Mitsubishi Electric Corporation has achieved efficient recycling of plastics using electrostatic separation technology at its plant in Chiba Prefecture. This reduces the time and effort required for sorting and streamlines the recycling process.

Waste power generation is also being introduced in urban areas, with Tokyo's incineration facilities processing 171 tons/day of waste and 38.5% of facilities having the capacity to generate electricity. This initiative is enhancing the supply of renewable energy while reducing waste.