The Escape of Black Home Appliances: Shadows Stirring in the Shadow of the Recycling Law" - June 2001

The Escape of Black Home Appliances: Shadows Stirring in the Shadow of the Recycling Law" - June 2001

In April 2001, the Home Appliance Recycling Law came into effect. The system, which imposed a fee for the disposal of used TVs and refrigerators, was expected to usher in a recycling-oriented society. However, behind the scenes, a shadow was creeping into the city at night. At the same time that the system was launched, illegal dumping increased sharply across the country.

According to a survey by the Ministry of the Environment, the number of illegally dumped items nationwide increased 25% from the previous year, and 191 televisions alone were dumped on the side of the road. In cities such as Asahikawa, Iwaki, and Soka, the number of dumping exceeded ten times that of the previous month, and it was whispered that "the start of the system has triggered dumping. On the other hand, in Chofu and Yaizu, where the public was thoroughly educated, the number of dumping cases decreased, showing the difference in the efforts of local governments.

The cost of a few thousand yen brought about a change in behavior. People avoided paying and threw away unwanted appliances in the shadows of the night. The reality is that even if the system is correct, the hearts do not follow. What was reflected on the blackened TV screen was the contradiction of society and the limits of the system.