Voluntary Action Planfor Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society－Results of Fiscal 2019 Follow-up－(including “Industry-Specific Plastic-Related Targets”)<Summary>
March 17, 2020
Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)

1. Efforts under the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound MaterialCycle Society
Keidanren formulated the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound MaterialCycle Society (“Voluntary Action Plan”) to promote voluntary efforts on the part ofJapan’s business community. Every year, it conducts and publishes a follow-up survey
with cooperation of participating industries (refer to Reference 1 & 2 for details on its
background). This fiscal year, with two industries having newly joined the 43
participating industries, a total of 45 industries conducted follow-up surveys.
Under the Voluntary Action Plan, each participating industry takes measures toachieve three types of targets: (1) reductions in the final disposal volume of industrial
waste; (2) other industry-specific targets; and (3) industry-specific plastic-related targets.
In terms of reducing the final disposal volume of industrial waste, in addition toachieving industry-specific targets, the Japanese business community as a whole “aimsto reduce by fiscal 2020, the final disposal volume of appropriately treated industrial
waste by 70% from the actual performance level in fiscal 2000 with consideration of theachievement of a low-carbon society” (Fourth Target, revised in March 2016), in order
not to increase the final disposal volume of industrial waste from the current level.
In addition, based on industry-specific characteristics and circumstances, with a view
to improving the quality of resource circulation, each industry has set up individual
targets, including target recycling rates for byproducts produced during manufacturing
processes and targets for reducing municipal solid waste from business activities.
Furthermore, from fiscal 2019, given rising domestic and global concerns regarding
marine plastic litter issues, Keidanren has set up “industry-specific plastic-related
targets” based on its Keidanren Policy Proposal “Opinion on formulating the “Japan’s
Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics” (November 2018) in order to promotemeasures to deal with plastic issues and to widely communicate the efforts made by
Japan’s business community.
We have compiled the fiscal 2019 results by surveying the performance achieved infiscal 2018 and compiling the progress made toward meeting the economy-wide target
and industry-specific targets, as well as the specific efforts dedicated to achieving thesetargets. We have also included an enhanced description of the “industry-specific plasticSummary－1

related targets” newly introduced in the previous fiscal year.
This Voluntary Action Plan is also included in the Government’s Fundamental Planfor Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Cabinet Decision of June 2018).
*Industries participating in the Fiscal 2019 Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle
Society (45 industries)
Electric power, gas, petroleum, iron and steel, non-ferrous metals, aluminum, brass, electric cable and wire,
rubber, flat glass, cement, chemical, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper, electrical and electronics, industrial
machinery, bearing, automobiles, auto parts, auto-body, industrial vehicles, rolling stock, shipbuilding, flour,
sugar, milk and dairy products, beverages, beer, construction, aviation, telecommunications, printing (Theabove 32 industries are counted when calculating the industry-wide industrial waste final disposal volume.);housing (Waste from the housing industry is included in that from the construction industry, and therefore
is not added to total in order to avoid double-counting.), real estate, machine tools, trade, department stores,
railway, maritime transport, banking, nonlife insurance, securities, life insurance, convenience stores(newly added), chain stores (newly added).

2. Result of efforts in fiscal 2018
(1) Reduction target for final disposal volume of industrial waste
In fiscal 2018, the final disposal volume of industrial waste (32 industries) wasapproximately 3.82 million tons, approximately 78.9% below the performance level(approximately 18.11 million tons) in fiscal 2000, the baseline year (approximately
93.5% below the fiscal 1990 level), thus overachieving the Plan’s target (cf. Figure 1.).
The final disposal volume of industrial waste marked a decrease of approximately
0.89 million tons (approximately 18.9%) below the previous year (fiscal 2017
performance). This is assumed to have resulted from advancements in the promotion of
reduced industrial waste volume in each industry and in industrial efforts to promote the3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle), owing in particular, to reductions in the final disposal
volume of construction material waste, caused by improved recycling rates due to thepromotion of waste segregation based on the Construction Material Recycling Law andinstitutional revisions made in relation to reducing the volume of construction debris
disposals in the ocean.
Figure 1. Total final disposal volume of industrial waste generated byparticipating industries

10,000 tons

[Performance in fiscal 2018]
Final disposal volume of industrial waste: approx. 3.82 Mtons
Approx. 78.9% below performance in FY2000 (approx. 18.11Mtons)(approximately
-70%)

(FY)

Summary－2

*1: The rate (%) of reduction from final disposal volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2000
(baseline year) is provided in round brackets.
*2: Total final disposal volume of industrial waste in 32 industries out of the 45 industries
participating in the Plan. The sum has been recalculated for the fiscal years before 2016 toaccommodate changes made in the figures reported by some industries.
*3: The figure provided for performance in fiscal 1990 does not include the cement, bearing,shipbuilding, aviation and printing industries. The figure provided for performance in fiscal 2000
does not include figures for the cement and printing industries, and includes a sum of figures frompast reports for the rubber industry. The five industries mentioned above collectively account for
approximately 0.6% of performance in fiscal 2018.
*4: The final disposal volume of industrial waste recorded in fiscal 2018 amounted toapproximately 3.82 million tons, accounting for around 39.4% of total nationwide final disposal
volume of industrial waste, which was approximately 9.70 million tons (according to Ministry of
the Environment survey). Industrial waste from organizations and companies that are not includedin the Keidanren survey include for example, industrial waste (mainly sludge) from water andsewage works and the ceramics industry and industrial waste (animal and plant residue and animal
feces) from the agricultural sector, etc.

(2) Industry-specific targets
Industries set up individual targets accommodating industrial-specific characteristics
and circumstances and engaged in efforts to achieve them. The targets and performancein fiscal 2018 for each industry are presented in Table 1 [List of industry-specific targets].
(Details can be found in the “Industry-specific targets” section of the Industry-specific
Report (Japanese version only). Keidanren will continue to encourage industries to set
up industry-specific targets that will contribute to improving resource circulation.
Table 1. List of industry-specific targets〔Explanation of targets〕○: Quantitative targets□: Qualitative targets〔＊〕: Overachieved targets※Targets are for industrial waste unless otherwise indicated.

Electric power

Gas○ Make efforts to achieve recycling rate of 95% in fiscal 2020
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 97％〔＊〕○ Maintain volume of industrial waste generated at city gas manufacturing plants
at levels not exceeding 1,000 tons through fiscal 2020 (79% below fiscal 2000
level).
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 1,000 tons〔＊〕○ Reduce drilling mud from city gas conduit construction by no less than 17%,
using an integrated indicator that combines drilling mud reduction andrecycling.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 17.0％

Summary－3

Petroleum
Iron and steel
Aluminum
Brass
Electric cable andwire
RubberFlat glass
CementChemicals

Pharmaceuticals

Pulp and paper
Electrical andelectronics
Industrial machinery
Bearing
Automobile
Auto parts
Auto-body

Industrial vehicles

Rolling stock

Shipbuilding○ Maintain and continue zero emission (final disposal rate of no more than 1%)
through fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 0.1％〔＊〕○ Achieve steel can recycling rate of at least 90%
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 92.0％〔＊〕○ Maintain aluminum dross recycling rate of no less than 99% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 99.9％○ Maintain recycling rate of no less than 90% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 93.1％〔＊〕○ Make efforts to maintain a recycling rate of no less than 95% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 94.4%〔＊〕○ Achieve a recycling rate of no less than 70% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 80.3％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 95%.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 91.2％□ Receives a large volumes of waste and byproducts accepted by other industries
and utilizes them in cement production.
○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 65% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 68％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 55% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 64.2％〔＊〕○ Improve waste generation intensity in fiscal 2020 to 50% of the fiscal 2000
level. (Achieve a level of no more than 2.2 tons/0.1 billion yen.) Performance in fiscal 2018: 1.9 tons/0.1 billion yen〔＊〕○ Make efforts to maintain current level (97%) of effective utilization.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 98.3%〔＊〕○ Reduce the final disposal rate to no more than 1.8% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 2.8％
○ Make efforts to achieve recycling rate of no less than 90%.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 90.6％〔＊〕○ Make efforts to achieve recycling rate of no less than 96% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 96.0％〔＊〕○ Maintain recycling rate of no less than 99% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 99.9％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 85% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 96.6％〔＊〕○ Achieve industry participation rate of no less than 95% in terms of sales (ratioof companies of the industry participating in the Voluntary Action Plan).
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 98.3％〔＊〕○ Make efforts to maintain recycling rate of no less than 90% for industrial waste
generated during the manufacturing process.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 90.1％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 99% in fiscal 2020 and make efforts tocome as close to 100% as possible.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 99.9％〔＊〕○ Make efforts to achieve recycling rate of around 86% at the manufacturingphase of shipbuilding in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 78.51％

Summary－4

FlourSugar
Milk and dairy
products
Soft drinks
Beer

Construction

Aviation
Telecommunications
Printing

Housing

Real estate

Machine tools○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 90% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 96.2％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 98% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 97.6％○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 97% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 94.82％○ Maintain a recycling rate of no less than 99%.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 98.9％○ Maintain 100% recycling rate.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 100％〔＊〕○ Achieve construction sludge recycling rate of no less than 90% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 88％○ Achieve a mixed construction waste recycling rate of no less than 60% in 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 59.0％○ Aim to achieve final disposal rate of no less than 2.4% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 5.1％
○ Achieve zero emissions (final disposal rate of no more than 1%) for waste fromtelecommunications facilities.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 0.17％〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of no more than 95% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 99.1％〔＊〕○ Aim to achieve the following category-specific recycling rates:
Concrete: 96 ％ ; wood: 70 ％ ; steel: 92 ％ (weighted average of three
categories: 90.4％)
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 87.0％ (weighted average)○ Aim to achieve paper recycling rate of no less than 85%.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 85.3％○ Make efforts to maintain recycling rate of 100% for glass bottles, cans and PET
bottles.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: glass bottles 100％〔＊〕; cans 99.5％: PET
bottles 99.5％□ Improve purchasing rate of recycled paper.
□ Improve green procurement rate.
○ Achieve recycling rate of no less than 90% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 91.1%〔＊〕

Trade○ Reduce disposal volume of municipal solid waste from business activities by
86% from fiscal 2000 level in fiscal 2010.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 85.1%○ Reduce volume of municipal solid waste from business activities to no morethan 4,000 tons in fiscal 2020 (reduce by 55% from fiscal 2000).
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 4,000 tons〔＊〕Department stores○ Aim to reduce final disposal volume of waste generated in stores by 60% fromyear 2000 level (per 1m2) in 2030.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 43.7% reduction○ Reduce intensity (volume used per unit sales) of paper containers andpackaging (wrapping paper, carrier bags, paper bags, paper boxes) use by 50%
relative to year 2000 levels in 2030.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 40.0% reduction

Summary－5

Railway

Maritime transport

Banking

Non-life insurance

Securities

Life insurance○ Achieve recycling rate of 94% for waste from stations and railcars.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 93％○ Achieve recycling rate of 96% for waste generated at General Rolling Stock
Centers, etc.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 96%〔＊〕○ Achieve recycling rate of 96% for waste generated in facility construction.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 94%□ Appropriately manage waste in accordance with international standards.
□ Make efforts to control waste generation.
○ Achieve paper recycling rate of no less than 90% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 89.5％○ Increase purchasing rate of recycled paper and environment-friendly paper tono less than 75% in fiscal 2020.
 Performance in fiscal 2018: 78.1％□ At individual insurance companies,
1. Establish a corporate waste management scheme to promote reductions inmunicipal solid waste from business activities generated at offices andcollaborate with waste collection companies to ensure segregated collection
and improve recycling rate.
2. Make efforts to purchase office supplies that contribute to increasing theutilization rate of environment-friendly products.
3. Reduce OA paper use through efforts made toward achieving corporate
targets including the active utilization of two-sided copying, 2in1 copying,tablet devices, etc.
□ Reach out to society through automobile insurance (promote use of recycled
auto parts).
□ Make efforts to reduce paper use by utilizing two-sided copying and 2in1
copying and promoting paperless operations by digitalizing documents.
□□□□

Make efforts to reduce paper use by promoting paperless practices.
Make efforts to engage in green procurement of paper and office supplies.
Make efforts to engage in fully segregated waste collection.
Make efforts that will lead to the reuse of paper and other resources.

Summary－6

【Reference】
Furthermore, given the announcement of the Keidanren Proposal “Toward theEstablishment of an Effective Recycling System for Containers and Packaging”(October 2005), in March 2006, the Liaison Committee of Associations Promoting 3R,
comprising eight containers and packaging recycling organizations, formulated the“Voluntary Action Plan for Promoting the 3Rs in Containers and Packaging.” Under thePlan, the Liaison Committee has set up individual targets for each material type ofcontainer or packaging and conducts annual follow-up surveys, renewing target levels,
as required.
According to the “Voluntary Action Plan for Promoting the 3Rs in Containers andPackaging 2020 Follow-Up Results (Performance in fiscal 2018)” (December 2019),
the recycling and collection rates of steel cans, aluminum cans and cardboard boxes
have remained above 90%, thus steadily achieving success. (see Table 2.) 1.
Regarding plastics, a recycling rate of approximately 85% PET bottles were achievedfor PET bottles, which have become 23.6% lighter per bottle compared to fiscal 2004
levels. The 3Rs are also being promoted for plastic resources, succeeding in cumulative
reductions of plastic packaging and containers by 17.0 % from fiscal 2005 levels (seeFigure 2.).
Table 2. Status of recycling targets
Material

Indicator

Glass bottles
PET bottles
Steel cans

Recycling rate

Aluminum cans
Plastic containers
and packaging

Recycling rate

Paper containers
and packaging
Paper containers
for beverages
Cardboard boxes

Collection rate

Fiscal 2020 target

Fiscal 2018
performance<Reference>
Fiscal 2017
performance

No less than 70％

68.9％（69.2％）

No less than 85％

84.6％（84.9％）

No less than 90％

92.0％（93.4％）

No less than 90％

93.6％（92.5％）

No less than 46％

45.4％（46.3％）

No less than 28%

27.0％（24.5％）

No less than 50％

42.5％（43.4％）

No less than 95％

96.1％（96.1％）<Source: Liaison Committee of Associations Promoting 3R>

Refer to the Liaison Committee of Associations Promoting 3R website for details: http://www.3r-

1

suishin.jp

Summary－7

(FY)Plastic containers and packaging
reduction rate

PET bottle weight reduction rate

Figure 2. Weight reduction rate of PET bottles and reduction rate of plastic
containers and packaging(FY)<Source: compiled by Keidanren based on figures published by
the Liaison Committee of Associations Promoting 3R>

Summary－8

(3) Industry-specific plastic-related targets and other efforts
In August 2018, Keidanren compiled and announced “Opinion on formulating‘Japan’s Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics’” (see Appendix 1), covering theJapanese business community’s basic approach and views on future measures regarding
marine plastic litter issues faced at the global level and domestic plastic resource
circulation 1. In the Opinion, we included our intentions to “discuss how to enhance theKeidanren Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society in amore plastic-conscious way.”
Based on the Keidanren Opinion, organizations and companies participating in the
Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society
considered targets that would contribute to resolving marine plastic litter issues andpromote plastic resource circulation from the perspective of deepening voluntary
approaches by the business community and expanding the horizons of such efforts. As
a result, in April 2019, 43 “industry-specific plastic-related targets” were announced by
20 industries 2.
In fiscal 2019, industries continued discussions on enhancing their targets. As a result,as indicated in Table 4. [Industry-specific plastic-related targets], a total of 83 targets
were announced by a total of 39 industries, or almost twice the number of industries
compared to the previous year. Various types of targets have been set up, as presented
in Table 3, which offers a breakdown of industry-specific plastic-related targets.
Table 3.【Breakdown of industry-specific plastic-related targets】
Plastic-related quantitative targets (33 targets)・Quantitative targets, including target recycling rates and effective utilization rates (18targets)
・Quantitative reduction targets, including targets to reduce weight and volume of use (6targets)
・Quantitative targets regarding the reduction of final disposal volumes (3 targets)・Quantitative targets regarding the implementation rate of measures taken by member
companies (6 targets)

Plastic-related qualitative targets (50 targets)・Targets regarding reuse and recycling efforts and the promotion of activities (16 targets)・Targets regarding the promotion of reduction measures (8 targets)・Targets regarding the promotion of beautification activities in communities, rivers andbeaches (3 targets)・ Targets regarding educational and awareness-raising activities targeting member
For details, see: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2018/098.html
For details, see: http://www.keidanren.or.jp/en/policy/2019/032.html

12

Summary－9

companies and customers (12 targets)・Targets regarding the development of new technologies, including biomass technologies
and recycling technologies (9 targets)・Targets regarding the proactive purchasing of environment-friendly products and support
for environmentally advanced companies (2 targets)

Changes in the number of targets from the previous fiscal year
Existing

RevisedNew

Quantitative targets

13 targets

2 targets

18 targets

Qualitative targets

25 targets

0 targets

25 target

Subtotal

38 targets

2 targets

43 targets

Total

83 targets

Industries have also been engaged in efforts that have not been listed as targets, suchas beach and river cleanups, outreach efforts using workshops and posters, promoting
the use of alternative materials, and distributing reusable shopping bags. (For details,
see the“Industry-specific Report.”)With a view to the growing global importance of marine plastic litter issues and thechallenges related to promoting plastic resource circulation, Keidanren will seek tofurther enhance targets as well as to promote understanding for the efforts made by theJapanese business community by widely communicating the voluntary approaches
taken by these industries both domestically and overseas.
Table 4. Industry-specific plastic-related targets〔Explanation of targets〕【Quan〇】: Quantitative target〖Qual〇〗: Qualitative target〔＊〕: Overachieved targets※For details, see the “Industry-specific Report.”

Electric power

Gas〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗【Quan①】【Quan①】Petroleum〖Qual①〗

Promote recycling of materials, including
plastic wastes
Promote beautification and cleanup activities
Aim for 100% effective utilization of used
polyethylene gas pipes, including thermal
recovery by fiscal 2030
➢98.9％ (Fiscal 2018)
Achieve 100% implementation rate ofsystems ensuring segregated waste collection
at each company (office) in fiscal 2020
➢51％ (fiscal 2018)
Proactively engage in litter cleanup activities,
including cleanups of plastic litter, in public
spaces (roads, beaches)

Summary－10

Existing

ExistingNew【Quan①】

Assuming that a legal system that further
promotes the formulation of a sound materialcycle society will have been established andthat a collection system will have been
established under Government leadership,
make efforts with an aim to use 1 Mt waste
plastics annually.
Note: revision of Commitment to a Low Carbon
Society Phase 1 (2020 target) (from Iron and SteelWG Report on February 17, 2017)

・The Association had aimed to reduce emissions by
2 Mt-CO2 by expanding feedstock recycling ofwaste plastics at steel plants (utilization of 1
million tons), assuming that a collection system
would be established under Government
leadership.
・In the May 2016 “Report on Evaluation and Studyof the Implementation Status of the Containers andPackaging Recycling System,” the Association
decided to “maintain by 50% prioritization ofmaterial recycling” and to conduct a review “inaround 5 years.”・Given that it has become extremely difficult toincrease the utilization of waste plastics to 1 Mt in
2020, considering the current circumstances, thenewly decided policy will count as reduced
volumes only increased volumes of waste plastics,
etc, collected relative to fiscal 2005 levels.

Iron and steel

Existing➢410,000 tons (fiscal 2018)

Non-ferrous metals〖Qual①〗

Aluminum【Quan①】Brass【Quan①】

Electric cable andwire【Quan①】

Rubber【Quan①】

Cement〖Qual①〗〖Qual①〗

Reduce plastic wastes and promote recycling

New

Maintain current plastic waste recycling rate
through fiscal 2030 and aim to achieve higher
rates.

New

Maintain plastic waste recycling rate of noless than 85%through fiscal 2030.
➢89.9％ (fiscal 2018)

New

Limit final waste disposal volumes of plastic
and rubber wastes to below current levels(baseline year: fiscal 2019)
Enhance information-sharing among
members

New

Maintain plastic waste recycling rate of noless than 85% through fiscal 2030.

New

Increase receipt and treatment of plastic
wastesSummary－11

Existing

Chemical

Pharmaceuticals[JPIF] Encourage a wider range ofcompanies to take measures to prevent
resin pellet spill[JPIF] Increase the number of companies andorganizations participating in the campaign to【Quan①】announce declarations towards resolving
marine plastic litter issues【Quan②】➢Currently, 41 companies and 3
organizations have declared measures[JPIF] Awareness-raising campaigns〖Qual①〗 regarding marine plastic litter issues (hostlectures, send lecturers)〖Qual②〗 [JPIF: Coordinate academic research on
marine plastic litter issues〖Qual③〗 [JCIA LRI] Evaluate exposure or risk ofenvironmental organisms to chemical〖Qual④〗 substances absorbed by microplastics〖Qual⑤〗 [JCIA LRI] Clarify the mechanism of
microplastics generation〖Qual⑥〗 [JaIME (Japan Initiative for Marine
Environment)] Organize training seminars fordisseminationin Asia〖Qual⑦〗[JaIME (Japan Initiative for Marine
Environment)] Verify the effectiveness ofenergy recovery[JaIME (Japan Initiative for Marine
Environment)] Domestic awareness-raising
campaigns【Quan①】 Achieve plastic waste recycling rate of 65%
by fiscal 2030.
➢58.7％ (fiscal 2018)〖Qual①〗

Pulp and paper〖Qual②〗〖Qual①〗
Electrical andelectronics〖Qual②〗〖Qual③〗

Bearing【Quan①】Develop and supply biodegradable materials
from paper pulp
Accelerate the replacement of plastics byimproving the functionality of existing paper
products.
Promote lifecycle design and material
circulation measures of products andpackaging considering the 3Rs.
Promote the 3Rs of plastic wastes in
production.
Implement measures, including cleanups,
addressing marine plastic litter issues that
contribute to biodiversity.
Make efforts to achieve recycling rate of noless than 96% for waste, including plastic
waste in fiscal 2030.
➢96.0％ (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕

Summary－12

Revised
Revised
New
New
Existing
Existing
Existing
Existing
New

New

Existing

NewNew

【Quan①】
Automobiles【Quan②】【Quan①】【Quan②】
Auto parts〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗

Auto-body【Quan①】【Quan①】

Rolling stock〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗

Maintain recycling rate of no less than 99%
for all industrial waste generated at factories
through fiscal 2020.
➢99.9％ (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕Continues and maintain recycling rate of noless than 90% for automobile shredder
residue through fiscal 2030.
➢ 95+％ at each company (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕
Achieve final disposal volume of 45,000 t orless for industrial waste in fiscal 2020.
(equivalent to 68% reduction from fiscal
2000 level)➢34,000 tons (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕
Achieve recycling rate of no less than 85%
for all byproducts (industrial waste, valuable
waste) generated at factories, etc. in fiscal
2020.
➢96.6％(fiscal 2018)〔＊〕Make efforts to promote the development anddesign of automobile parts with a view toimproving the recyclability of disused
automobiles and to improve the quality of 3R
activities, including resource circulation
Collect corporate waste reduction cases frommember companies and share information topromote waste reduction
Reduce final disposal volume of industrial
waste by 89% relative to the fiscal 2000 levelin fiscal 2020.
➢90％ reduction (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕
Achieve recycling rate of no less than 99%
for industrial waste (including plastics) in2020 and make efforts to come as close as
possible to reaching 100%.
➢99.9％ (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕Promote proper treatment of plastic waste inbusiness operations
Change cushioning material from plastic toother materials

Summary－13

Existing

New

ExistingNew〖Qual①〗

Shipbuilding【Quan①】
Flour

Sugar

【Quan②】【Quan①】〖Qual①〗
Milk and dairy
products〖Qual②〗〖Qual③〗The shipbuilding industry appropriately treats
all plastic waste (packing material, blue
tarps, PET bottles, hoses, etc.) generated
from business operations. The industry willcontinue proper waste treatment and take thefollowing measures with a view to makefurther improvements:
・ Encourage member companies toperform outreach on environmental
conservation and plastic waste-related
activities.
・ Collect case studies of environmental
conservation efforts, including cleanups
and workshops, made by each company
and share them outside the industry.
・ Introduce new trends regarding plastic
wastes at the Environmental Task Force,joined by member companies, andexchange information regarding
advanced measures taken in otherindustries and individual corporate
efforts through site visits and various
meetings.

New

Achieve plastic waste recycling rate of noless than 90% in fiscal 2030.
➢84.8％ (average for fiscal 2013～2018)
Reduce final waste disposal volume of plastic
waste to below 65 tons
➢68.5 tons (average for fiscal 2013～2018)

New

Achieve plastic waste recycling rate of noless than 99% (for small package products) in
fiscal 2030.➢99.9％ (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕

New

Design products to minimize the use of plastic
in containers and packaging.
Promote the use of environment-friendly
materials as raw material for plastics used incontainers and packaging.
Facilitate the recycling of waste plastics
generated from manufacturing processes byusing recycling operators.

Existing

Summary－14

【Quan①】【Quan②】【Quan③】
Soft drinks〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗〖Qual③〗【Quan①】

Beer〖Qual①〗〖Qual①〗
Construction〖Qual②〗〖Qual①〗
Aviation〖Qual②〗〖Qual③〗

Telecommunications〖Qual①〗

PET bottle weight reduction rate of no lessthan 25% in fiscal 2030 (baseline year: fiscal
2004)➢23.6％ (fiscal 2018)
PET bottle recycling rate of no less than 85%
in fiscal 2030
➢84.6％ (fiscal 2018)
PET bottle effective utilization rate of 100%in fiscal 2030
➢98％ (fiscal 2018)
The Soft Drink Industry’s Plastic Resource
Circulation Declaration
Awareness-raising campaigns against
littering of containers
Establish an effective collection system toachieve a collection rate of 100%
Effectively utilize 100% of all used plastics
generated during production (or final disposal
volume of 0 tons), as a part of efforts toachieve a recycling rate of 100% for all
byproducts and waste generated during the
production of beer, etc. at all beer factories ofthe five member beer companies of the
Brewers Association of Japan in fiscal 2030.
➢All byproducts and waste is 100% recycled(fiscal 2000-2018) 〔＊〕
Support the promotion of Town
Beautification and Adopt-program activities
and awareness-raising campaigns for litter
prevention through the Beverage Industry
Environment Beautification Association.
Implement promotional and outreachcampaigns, including making posters
describing how to segregate waste, in order toensure implementation of measures toaddress plastic waste issue at construction
sites.
Survey the types and ratio of plastic waste
generated in the construction of newbuildings and consider effective measures toreduce waste generation.
Promote the segregation of plastic waste at
offices and airports
Reuse and reduce plastic products used onflights and at airports.
Replace plastic products used on flights andat airports with environment-friendly
materials.
Promote the utilization of used plastics fromremoved telecommunication facilities

Summary－15

Existing

Existing

New

New

New

New

〖Qual①〗
Printing〖Qual②〗【Quan①】
Real estate〖Qual①〗【Quan①】〖Qual①〗
Trade〖Qual②〗〖Qual③〗Further promote waste reduction of singleuse containers and packaging in the near-term
through collaboration with upstream anddownstream industries of the supply chain.
Aim to design plastic containers andpackaging that are technically easy tosegregate as well as reusable or recyclable,
while also ensuring their functionality.

Exisiting

Maintain a recycling rate of 100% for plastic
waste generated at buildings used for theindustry’s own business operations throughfiscal 2030.
➢98.6％ (fiscal 2018)
Improve the green procurement rate ofproducts purchased in buildings used for theindustry’s business operations.

Existing

Aim for 100% segregated disposal of PET
bottles at each office at the end of fiscal 2020.
➢100% implementation rate (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕
Make industry-wide efforts to promotehandling products and business that
contribute to the reduction, reuse andrecycling of plastics.
Organize an annual forum for member
companies to exchange information on
corporate efforts addressing plastic-related
issues and make an effort to expand
measures.
Ensure the promotion of the 3Rs (reuse,
reduce, recycle) of plastics used in thecafeterias at each corporate location.

Existing
Existing

Existing

New

Department stores【Quan①】

Aim to reduce the volume of plastic
containers and packaging used by 50% in
terms of intensity (volume of use per unit
sales) in 2030 relative to the 2000 baseline
level.
➢33.7％ reduction (fiscal 2018)

Convenience stores【Quan①】

Aim to achieve “shopping bag refusal rate ofno less than 30%” by fiscal 2020.

New【Quan①】

Aim to achieve plastic shopping bag refusal
rate of no less than 80%” by fiscal 2030.
➢54.63％ (March 2019)

New

Chain stores

Summary－16

Existing

【Quan①】【Quan②】
Railway〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗【Quan①】【Quan②】Banks〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗

Nonlife insurance〖Qual①〗〖Qual②〗〖Qual①〗
Securities

Life insurance【Reference】
Plastic Containers
and Packaging〖Qual①〗【Quan①】【Quan②】

Replace plastic shopping bags (240 million
bags used in fiscal 2018) with bags madefrom biomass material at JR East Group
companies that offer customers plastic
shopping bags.
Replace plastic straws (30 million straws
used in fiscal 2018) with straws made frombiodegradable material at JR East Group
companies that offer customers plastic straws.
Promote recycling by installing segregatedgarbage bins at stations and separately collect
PET bottles with the cooperation ofcustomers.
Promote customer understanding of themeasures taken by the JR East Group andwide public awareness of plastic issues.
(posters, POP advertising, and videos)Engage in segregated collection of used PET
bottles at 100% of member banks in fiscal
2030.
➢92％ (fiscal 2018)
Engage in clean-ups and other measures toreduce marine plastic litter at 100% ofmember banks in fiscal 2030.
➢35％ (fiscal 2018)
The bank industry will engage in the effective
use of resources and waste reduction.
The bank industry will actively support
companies that take measures to address
plastic-related issues in line with government
policy.
Encourage employees to bring their own bags
and drink bottles.
Prohibit the use of plastic cups and straws in
employee cafeterias or replace them withpaper products.
Promote the use of paper manufactured inways that reduce environmental burden,while making efforts to reduce environmental
burden and reuse resources by ensuring thesegregated collection of waste, etc. with aview to plastic resource circulation andmeasures to prevent the outflow of plastics
into the ocean
Make efforts to reduce environmental burden
by reducing the amount of resources,
including plastic resources, required toperform business operations, as well as
promoting the recycling of resources.
Weight reduction rate of plastic containers
and packaging: 16% (cumulative)➢17.0％ (cumulative, fiscal 2018)〔＊〕Recycling rate of plastic containers andpackaging: 46%➢46.3％ (fiscal 2018)〔＊〕

Summary－17

New

New

Existing
New

Existing

New

Existing

New

Existing(4) Other efforts towards establishing a sound material-cycle society
In addition to efforts under self-determined industry-specific targets, industries areengaged in efforts exemplified in Table 5. (For details, “Efforts towards establishing asound material-cycle society” in the Industry-specific Report (Japanese version only).)
Table 5. Examples of efforts towards establishing a sound material-cycle society
Efforts to reduce environmental burden through product life cycles
・ Effective use of waste and byproducts (use as
raw materials, etc.)
・ Effective use of used products (reuse, recycle,
etc.)
・ Design products that are easy to recycle
・ Visualize
environmental
effectsbyimplementing product LCA
・ Jointly develop recycling technologies withother industries
・ Introduce in-house certification programs for
products featuring reduced environmental
burden・ Improve resource utilization efficiency bystreamlining manufacturing processes
・ Promote the appropriate implementation ofvarious recycling laws
・ Introduce maintenance-free and simplified
products
・ Consider labelling programs for environmentfriendly products
・ Recover rare metals from electronics

・
・
・
・
・
・
・
・
・
・

・ Effective utilization of packing material
・ Establish recycling routes through collaboration
across the supply chain
・ Promote the utilization of recycled products
・ Receive and treat waste from other industries
and contribute to reducing final disposal
volumes・ Appropriately select waste treatment
businesses
・ Formulate and implement product assessment
manuals
・ Produce smaller, more lightweight and longer
lifetime products
・ Omit and simplify packing and introduce
returnable packing material
・ Proactively utilize certified paper and certified
products
・ Adopt buildings with high efficiency, including
high insulation

Development of new technologies and products
Develop technologies to improve the efficiency ・ Develop technologies to utilize biomassof large-scale construction works
・ Develop technologies to recover energy from
Develop and utilize cogeneration technologies
waste
・ Develop new recycling processes
Establish material circulation systems
・ Generate biogas from waste
Develop products free of harmful substances
Develop technologies to recycle used lithium- ・ Develop CFRP recycling technologies
・ Develop lightweight containers and packaging
ion batteries
Develop dechlorination technologies formaterial and utilized recycled material
products with high chloride concentration
・ Develop recyclable containers and packaging
Develop efficient waste treatment equipment
・ Develop technologies to utilize used oil
Develop recyclability assessment methods
・ Develop CFC-free technologies
Develop cellulose nanofiber technologies
・ Develop and utilize image-based consolidated
Conserve water by using remotely monitored
management systems for waste treatment
toilets
processes

Summary－18

・
・
・
・
・
・

・
・
・
・
・
・
・

International contribution / overseas activities
Promote export of waste-utilizing products・ Support overseas application of JIS standards
Support introduction of recycling systems
・ Develop returnable packing for overseas
Conduct training programs on waste treatment
shipping
for overseas trainees
・ Cooperate in JICA group training programs
Conduct waste management education at ・ Implement overseas CO2 reduction support
overseas corporate locations
projects
Provide biomass power generation boilers to ・ Perform environmental education at elementary
Southeast Asia, etc.
schools in Southeast Asia, etc.
Consider local tax systems and green ・ Engage in overseas tree-planting activities
procurement
Other
Beautification and cleanup activities in rivers, ・beaches and road
Promotepaperlessoperation
through ・digitization
Receive RPF from other industries
・
Conduct composting of food waste from ・cafeterias・Create valuable resources by shredding
confidential documents
・
Promote waste segregation at the office・Reduce paper use by duplex copying andmicrocopyingStandardize waste-utilizing products (develop
JIS standards)
Cooperate in treating disaster-related waste
treatment
Reuse paper and cardboard boxes
Review the packing of procured parts
Communicate environment-related information
on websites, etc.
Participate in environment-related events
Conduct segregated collection of PET bottles

Summary－19

3. Challenges to be addressed in the near future for establishing a Sound MaterialCycle Society(1) Potential for reducing final disposal volumes of industrial waste
As aforementioned, efforts by individual industries have led to the achievement of
reductions in the final disposal volume of industrial waste by approximately 93.5%
relative to the fiscal 1990 level. As a result, the years of remaining capacity at final
disposal sites improved from 1.7 years in fiscal 1990 to 17.0 years in 2016 (see Figure
3).
Figure 3.

Trends in the years of remaining capacity at final disposal sites forindustrial waste(Mm2)(years)Remaining
years

Remaining years

Remaining capacity

Remaining
capacity(FY)<Source: Ministry of the Environment>

In fiscal 2018, the final disposal volume of industrial waste was reduced by 18.9% on
a year to year basis. This is inferred mainly to be a result of the steady progress made in
the measures taken by industries towards achieving resource circulation.
However, some industries have already achieved recycling rates close to 100% forindustrial waste in their resource circulation efforts and some industries embrace wastes
that are difficult to recycle. Further reductions would require consideration of otherfactors, including increased energy consumption caused by recycling. Moreover, wemust also pay attention to the potential drivers of increases in final disposal volumes ofvarious industrial waste, including potential increases in construction works for disasterprevention and reduction and aging infrastructure.
Furthermore, in the cement industry, which contributes to the reduction of final waste
disposal by utilizing waste and byproducts from other industries in cement production,
the volume of waste and byproducts accepted by the cement industry has remained
stagnant in recent years (see Figure 4.).

Summary－20

Figure 4. Trends in the utilization of waste and byproducts in the cement
industry(kg/t-cement)(10000 tons)

Cement production
Volume of waste & byproducts used

Volume of waste & byproducts used per 1t cement(FY)<Source: Japan Cement Association>(2) Challenges to be addressed in the near future
The promotion of measures towards a sound material-cycle society has become
increasingly important not only in Japan, with limited domestic resource availability,
but also worldwide, as growing resource constraints are forecasted on a global scale due
to increased population and economic growth.
Japan has been very successful in its endeavors, with the enactment of various
recycling laws, such as the Basic Act on Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society,supported by active public cooperation, as well as the efforts of stakeholders, including
the national government, local governments, the business community and non-profit
organizations.
The Japanese Government implemented various domestic measures with a view to
the G20 summit meeting that it chaired in June 2019. One of such measures was Japan’s
Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics, which acknowledges the social importanceof plastics and at the same time promotes the 3Rs and facilitating replacement withrecyclable resources.
Furthermore, at the G20 Summit, governments reached agreement on the G20
Implementation Framework for Actions on Marine Plastics Litter and shared the Osaka
Blue Ocean Vision under the leadership of the Japanese Government. Both documents
do not prohibit the use of particular plastic products, but take a life cycle approachbased on encouragement of the smart use of plastics and controlling the outflow ofplastic waste into the ocean.
Marine plastic litter issues are global issues that need to be resolved by promoting the
3Rs by securing the proper treatment of waste, preventing the outflow of waste plastics
Summary－21

into the oceans and avoiding their landfilling. Acknowledging the above, Japan cancontribute to solving global plastic resource circulation issues by engaging ininternational cooperation, drawing upon its outstanding efforts, including the data,technologies and knowhow accumulated through its experiences to date, andcontributing to proper waste treatment and the promotion of the 3Rs in developing
countries.
On the other hand, given the recent implementation and strengthening of import
restrictions on plastic waste in China and other emerging countries, ways of plastic
resource circulation are being addressed globally. Affected by these import restrictions,Japan is also challenged with the increased distribution of waste plastics, which areoverloading relevant facilities. In the follow-up survey results this fiscal year, somerelevant industries reported that because recycling business operators have stopped feebased acceptance of waste, reduced the amount of waste accepted, or raised waste
treatment fees, industries had no choice but to increase final disposal volumes ofindustrial waste. Japan is challenged with the urgent need to re-establish its plastic
resource circulation system.
In light of these circumstances, Keidanren will by actively and voluntarily engage inthe promotion of the 3Rs through continued efforts to promote the Voluntary Action
Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society and to reduce the final disposal
volume of industrial waste, as well as to enhance industry-specific targets other thanthose for industrial waste final disposal volumes that aim to improve the quality of thematerial-cycle and to improve industry-specific plastic-related targets.
To this end, roles must be appropriately shared among not only the business
community but also various actors including national and local governments, business
operators, NPOs and citizens, and it is important that each actor fulfills its role inpartnership with other actors. In particular, in light of the fact that the further promotionof the 3Rs approaching its limits under current technological levels and legal system, it
is essential that the Government improves and reviews the administration of theregulatory framework and offers policy support (see Appendix 2 “Main requests fromindividual industries to the national and local governments).
Guided by the basic principle of“delivering on the SDGs through the Realization ofSociety 5.0., Keidanren will continue to engage in a wide range of innovations,
including not only technological innovations, such as developing new feasible low-cost
technologies but also lifestyle transformations through collaboration and cooperation
among various sectors and strata of society. Furthermore, we will promote “Integrated
Environmental Corporate Management,” addressing climate change countermeasuresand biodiversity conservation activities, as well as resource circulation measures, as
critical business management issues in performing business operations.
Summary－22

<Appendix 1>

Summary－23

＜Reference 1＞

Background of the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound
Material-Cycle Society
1. Formulating the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment (Section on Waste
Disposal Measures) and setting up an economy-wide target (first target).
In April 1991, Keidanren compiled the Keidanren Global Environment Charter inwhich it declared that it would promote voluntary and active efforts for environmental
conservation. Based on this Charter, in 1997, Keidanren formulated the Voluntary Action
Plan on the Environment to address waste disposal issues with the participation of 35
industries and incorporated industry-specific quantitative targets and concrete measures
for the achievement of targets. Keidanren has followed up on the progress achieved ineach industry every fiscal year thenceforth.
In December 1999, it set up a target covering the entire business community to enhance
voluntary industrial efforts: 75% below the fiscal 1990 performance level of final disposal
volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2010 (First Target)
2. Upgrading to “Section on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society”
and renewing the economy-wide target (March 2007)
The business community continued to achieve its economy-wide fiscal 2010 target set
up in 1999 for four consecutive years from fiscal 2002 to fiscal 2005 prior to the target
year. Therefore, in March 2007, Keidanren revised the Voluntary Action Plan on theEnvironment (Section on Waste Disposal Measures) to the Voluntary Action Plan on theEnvironment (Section on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society), which
aimed to promote a wide range of efforts reaching beyond waste disposal measures
toward a sound material-cycle society. This was accompanied by a renewal of targets:(1) Reviewing the economy-wide target (reduction target for final disposal volume
of industrial waste)
The economy-wide target was renewed to: 86% below the fiscal 1990 performancelevel of final disposal volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2010 (Second Target).
Keidanren decided to continue to call for reductions in the final disposal volume ofindustrial waste in each industry, setting up the abovementioned target for the entire
business community and engage in efforts to further promote the 3Rs.
(2) Setting up industry-specific targets
Each industry newly set up individual targets using indicators other than the final
disposal volume of industrial waste, further enhancing voluntary approaches to theestablishment of a sound material-cycle society. Industry-specific targets include
improved recycling rates, reduced waste generation and increased use of waste from otherindustrial processes.
Summary－24

3. Formulating the post-fiscal 2010 Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment(Section on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society)(December 2010)
The second target for reducing final disposal volumes of industrial waste had
established fiscal 2010 as its “target fiscal year.” In December 2010, for the continued
voluntary and active promotion of the 3Rs beyond fiscal 2010, Keidanren formulated arenewed Plan embracing the two following pillars and scheduled follow-up surveys: 1)
setting up the Third Target for reductions in the final disposal volume of industrial waste
across the entire business community with fiscal 2015 as the target year: 65% below the
fiscal 2000 performance level of final disposal volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2015
(third target); and 2) establishing industry-specific targets accommodating industrial
features.
4. Formulating the post-fiscal 2015 Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing aSound Material-Cycle Society (March 2016)
Welcoming the “target fiscal year” for the Third Target in March 2016, with a view tocontinuing voluntary and active promotion of the 3Rs, Keidanren formulated a new postfiscal 2015 Plan, which would be subject to annual follow-up surveys. The new targets
are provided below (see Attachment 2 for details):(1) Fourth target for economy-wide reductions in final disposal volume of industrial waste
Aim to reduce by fiscal 2020, the final disposal volume of industrial waste
appropriately treated with consideration of the achievement of a low-carbon society byaround 70% from the actual performance level in fiscal 2000.
(2) Enhancing industry-specific targets to improve quality of resource circulation
5. Setting up industry-specific plastic-related targets (April 2019)
From April 2019, organizations and companies participating in the Keidanren
Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society consideredtargets that would contribute to resolving marine plastic litter issues and promote plastic
resource circulation (industry-specific plastic-related targets) from the perspective ofdeepening voluntary approaches by the business community.

Summary－25

<Reference 2>
Formulating the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle
Society for fiscal years beyond 2015 (March 2016)
March 15, 2016
Keidanren（Japan Business Federation）
1. Continuing and renaming the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment
The Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment (Section on the
Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society) has endeavored to meet the economywide target to "reduce the final disposal volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2015 by 65%
from the fiscal 2000 performance level” (third target) with the participation of 41
industries.
Given the need for ongoing efforts toward establishing a sound material-cycle society,the business community will engage in voluntary efforts beyond fiscal 2015 and seek tocommunicate industrial efforts to the public at large by continuing the voluntary approach
under a renewed name: the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound MaterialCycle Society*.
* Since 1997, the Keidanren Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment comprised the Section on
Global Warming Measures and the Section on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society.
Given the reorganization of the Section on Global Warming Measures into the Keidanren
Commitment to a Low Carbon Society in January 2013, the Section on the Establishment of a Sound
Material-Cycle Society will also change its name.

2. Outline of post-2015 Voluntary Action Plan
(1) Economy-wide target for continued efforts to reduce final disposal volume ofindustrial waste① The Voluntary Action Plan set up an economy-wide target to reduce the final disposal
volume of industrial waste. The target was renewed three times in order to pursue
higher targets and as a result, the final disposal volume in fiscal 2014 marked areduction of 73% from the fiscal 2000 level (91% reduction from the fiscal 1990
level). Through such efforts, the Plan has contributed to improving the pressing
situation regarding the availability of final disposal sites that had challenged Japan in
the 1990s (the years of remaining industrial waste final disposal capacity increased
from just two years in the 1990s to approximately 14 years in fiscal 2012).
② In recent years, efforts by business operators to further reductions in the final

disposal volume of industrial waste have been approaching their limits; and therefore
the pace of reductions has slowed down. It has been pointed out that with the Tokyo
Olympics and Paralympics Games to be hosted in Japan, the final disposal volume ofindustrial waste is likely to increase.

Summary－26

③ Amid such circumstances, the Japanese business community has set up the following
economy-wide target under the idea that it “will not increase the final disposal
amount of industrial waste above the current level” to continue to engage in
reduction efforts.

Aim to reduce by fiscal 2020, the final disposal volume of appropriately treatedindustrial waste by 70% from the actual performance level in fiscal 2000 withconsideration of the achievement of a low-carbon society** Some industries point out that further reductions in the final disposal volume may increase energy use
and in turn cause regression in the achievement of a low-carbon society or increase waste
requiring final disposal as a result of tightened environmental regulations. Under such restrictions,
it was decided that it should be indicated that efforts to reduce final disposal volume would becontinued with consideration of reducing environmental burden by providing for “the final
disposal volume of industrial waste appropriately treated with consideration of the achievementof a low-carbon society.”* In case of large changes in the socioeconomic situation, the target will be reviewed as required after
fiscal 2016.

(2) Industry-specific targets with a view to improving the quality of resource circulation①Given their differences in industrial characteristics and circumstances, industries arequite varied in their approaches, including the 3Rs, toward establishing a soundmaterial-cycle society; and therefore it is difficult to determine an economy-widetarget other than reductions in final disposal volume. Therefore, under the Keidanren
Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment, industrial organizations have set up“industry-specific targets” since fiscal 2006 to voluntarily engage in establishing asound material-cycle society.
In the medium- to long-term, amid global constraints on resource availability, Japan,
with very limited natural resources, is particularly challenged with resource issues in
its endeavors to achieve sustainable socioeconomic development. We need topromote measures focused on the quality of resource circulation for the efficient use
of limited resources. A few examples of such measures are curbing the consumptionof natural resources and reducing environmental burden.
②Therefore, in the post-fiscal 2015 Voluntary Action Plan, we will set up appropriate
industry-specific targets accommodating industrial characteristics and circumstances,in addition to the final disposal volume target. We will consider shifting toquantitative targets aiming to improve the quality of resource circulation, to thefurthest extent possible. When it is difficult to set up a qualitative target, we will set
up qualitative targets that will serve the purpose of improving the material cycle andreport the progress achieved in the annual Industry-specific Report.
③Industries have set up individual targets as indicated in the appendix (omitted) to
improve the quality of resource circulation. Some examples are: pursuing addedvalue through the use of byproducts generated in the manufacturing process as raw
Summary－27

materials, promoting the use of high-performance recycling facilities with highrecycling rates and waste reduction rates, and reducing the amount of industrial waste
generated by reducing construction material input at the planning stage.
④ Some industries have yet to determine an industry-specific target. We are determined
to present a clearer view of our concept of improving the quality of resource
circulation and continue our endeavors to enhance industry-specific targets that willserve this purpose.

Summary－28