Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society－Results of Fiscal 2018
Follow-up & Industry-Specific Plastic-Related Targetsー <Overview>
April 16, 2019
Keidanren (Japan Business Federation)

1．Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (FY2016-)* 43 participating industries(1) Reductions in final disposal volume of industrial waste (Fourth Target)⇒ Japanese Industry as a whole “aims to 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 the achievement of a low-carbon society”(2) Industry-specific targets with a view to improve the quality of resource circulation⇒ Set up individual targets based on consideration of industry-specific characteristics and circumstances for improving thequality of resource circulation.(e.g. target recycling rate of byproducts generated during a product’s manufacturing stage)(3) “Industry-specific plastic-related targets” (added in fiscal 2018 [new])⇒Based on the Keidanren’s “Opinion on formulating the ‘Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics’” (Nov. 2018), set up industryspecific targets contributing to resolving marine plastic litter issues and promote plastic resource circulation
Background (reference)(1)1997(2) Dec. 1999
(3) Mar. 2007

(4) Dec. 2010(5) Mar. 2016
(6) Apr. 2019

Formulated the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment (Section on Waste Disposal Measures); annual follow-ups
Set up First Target: 75% below FY1990 performance level of final disposal volume of industrial waste in FY2010
Renewed to the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment (Section on the Establishment of a Sound Material-CycleSociety)Set up Second Target: 86% below FY1990 performance level of final disposal volume of industrial waste in FY2010
Set up industry-specific targets (using indicators other than final disposal volume)
Third Target: 65% below FY2000 performance level of final disposal volume of industrial waste in FY2015
Set up industry-specific targets (using indicators other than final disposal volume)
Renewed to Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society, Set up abovementioned targets
Set up “Industry-specific plastic targets”*Efforts under the current Voluntary Action Plan are showcased as important measures in Japanese Government’s“Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society”.

1２．Performance in fiscal 2017: (1) reductions in final disposal volume ofindustrial waste (Fourth Target)◇Final disposal volume of industrial waste in fiscal 2017 (total for 32 industries):
approximately 4.84 million tons
◇Supported by the strong sense of responsibility of Japanese companies, approx. 73.9% below
performance in fiscal 2000 (baseline year), achieving the target level of this Plan
(reduction of around 70%)
◇Increase of approx. 0.15 million tons (approx. 3.1%) over performance in fiscal 2016. This isinferred mainly to be a result of increased construction demand trends continuing since fiscal
2013 against the backdrop of a continuing gradual economic recovery trend, post-earthquake
reconstruction demand, and demand related to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Final disposal volume ofindustrial waste<Final disposal volume of industrial waste by the participating industries>[Performance in fiscal 2017]
Final disposal volume of industrial waste: approx. 4.84 Mtons
Relative to performance in FY2000 (approx. 18.20 Mtons):
reductions of around 73.9%
Relative to performance in FY1990 (approx. 58.63 Mtons):
reductions of around 91.7%(approx. -70%)2

2．Performance in fiscal 2017: (2) industry-specific targets & efforts◇41 industries set up and engaged in efforts toward individual targets in line with industrial characteristics andcircumstances〔Examples of industry-specific targets〕••••

Achieve recycling rate of around 95% in FY2020
Maintain volume of industrial waste generated at levels notexceeding 1,000 ton
Reduce disposal volume of municipal solid waste from businessactivities by 80% from FY2000 level
Reduce volume of paper containers and packaging used per unit
sales by 45% relative to year 2000 levels••••

Achieve a procurement rate of at least 75% for recycled paperand environment-friendly paper
Achieve a steel can recycling rate of at least 90%
Maintain zero emission (final disposal rate of 1%)
Maintain a recycle rate of 100%

◇In addition to target-based efforts, industries were engaged in efforts towards establishing a sound material-cycle society〔Examples of efforts〕＜Promoting the 3Rs and effective utilization of resources＞••
Maintain and improve heat efficiency of thermal power••
Reduce defective products by reviewing manufacturing•
processes•
Reduce manufacturing process loss by consolidating
manufacturing bases＜Efforts to reduce environmental burden through product life cycles＞•
Establish collection and recycling routes of waste equipment from•clients•
Formulate guidelines for designing easy-to-recycle products•＜Technology development and commercialization＞•
Research on technologies to collect resources from products•
R&D to develop high-strength thin-wall material technologies••＜International resource circulation / overseas business activities＞••
Overseas recycling business＜Other＞•Cooperate with local governments in treating waste from naturaldisasters•

Develop thin-wall product packaging
Receive waste from other industries
Thermal & energy recovery

Label products to indicate what materials they contain to facilitate
waste segregation.
Perform environmental assessment of equipment when deploying
new equipment
Implement demonstrative tests to turn food waste into biogas
Develop process management systems using location information and images
Provide waste processing equipment, including incinerators involving
low environmental burden
Measures to address issues concerning municipal solid waste frombusiness activities; etc.

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3．〔New targets〕Industry-specific plastic-related targets (1)◇Based on the Keidanren Opinion, Keidanren compiled a collection of case studies “Contributing to the UN SDGs
through Measures Addressing Plastic Waste Issues” and encouraged Industrial associations to set up targets thatwould contribute to resolving marine plastic litter issues and promote plastic resource circulation (industry-specificplastic-related targets) from the perspective of deepening voluntary approaches by the business community andexpanding the horizons of such efforts◇20 industries have announced 43 “industry-specific plastic-related targets.”
In fiscal 2019, industries will continue to consider ways to enhance their targets.
◇Keidanren will promote and widely communicate these voluntary approaches both in Japan and overseas.
Industry (Organizationname)Electric power(The Federation of ElectricPower Companies of Japan)
Gas（The Japan Gas
Association）
Iron and Steel(The Japan Iron and SteelFederation)
Cement(Japan Cement Association)

Chemical(Japan Chemical IndustryAssociation)

Pulp and Paper(Japan Paper Association)

Target FYBaselineFY

Promote recycling of materials, including plastic wasteーー

Promote beautification and cleanup activitiesーー

Aim for 100% effective utilization of used polyethylene gas pipes, including heat recovery.

FY2030－Aim for reductions by 2 Mt-CO2 by expanding feedstock recycling of plastic waste at steel plants (utilizationof 1 million tons), assuming that a collection system will be established under Government leadership.
(Note: Used tires are included in the 1 million tons utilized.)

FY2030FY2005ーー[JPIF] Make efforts to prevent resin pellet spill. Measures to be taken by all relevant JPIF member companies.

FY2019FY1992[JPIF] Declarations towards resolving marine plastic litter issues. Measures to be declared by all JPIF
member companies.

FY2019FY2017[JCIA LRI] Evaluate exposure or risk of environmental organisms to chemical substances absorbed bymicroplastics

ーー[JCIA LRI] Clarify the mechanism of microplastics generationーー[Japan Initiative for Marine Environment (JaIME)] Organize training seminars for dissemination in Asiaーー

[Japan Initiative for Marine Environment (JaIME)] Verify the effectiveness of energy recovery

ーー

Develop and supply biodegradable materials from paper pulpーーAccelerate the replacement of plastics by improving the functionality of existing paper products.

ーーTarget

Increase receipt and treatment of plastic waste.

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3．〔New targets〕Industry-specific plastic-related targets (2)Industry (Organizationname)Automobiles(Japan Automobile
Manufacturers Association)
Auto-body(Japan Auto-Body Industries
Association)

Milk and dairy products(Japan Dairy IndustryAssociation)

Soft drinks(Japan Soft Drink Association)

Beer(Brewers Association of Japan)
Construction(Japan Federation ofConstruction Contractors)

Printing(Japan Federation of PrintingIndustries)

TargetFYBaseline
FY

Recycling rate of all industrial waste generated at factories: maintain 99+%

FY2020ー

Recycling rate of automobile shredder residue: maintain 90+%

FY2030FY2005

Reduce final disposal volume of industrial waste by 89% relative to the fiscal 2000 level.

FY2020FY2000Design products to minimize the use of plastic in containers and packaging

ーー

Promote the use of environment-friendly materials as raw material for plastics used in containers andpackagingーー

Facilitate the recycling of waste plastics generated from manufacturing processes by using recycling operators.

ーーSoft Drink Industry’s Declaration on Plastic resource circulationーー

PET bottle reduction rate of no less than 25%

FY2030FY2004

PET bottle recycling rate of no less than 85%

FY2030ー

PET effective utilization rate of 100%

FY2030ーEnhance awareness-raising campaigns against littering of containersーー

Establish an effective collection system to achieve a collection rate of 100%ーー

FY2030ー

Further promote onsite waste segregation to facilitate plastic recyclingーー

Further promote waste reduction single-use containers and packaging in the near-term through collaboration
with upstream and downstream industries of the supply chain.

ーー

Aim to design plastic containers and packaging that are technically easy to segregate and reusable orrecyclable, while also ensuring functionality.

ーー

TargetEffective utilization of 100% of all used plastics generated during production (final disposal volume of 0 tons),
as a part of efforts to achieve a recycling rate of 100% for all byproducts and waste generated during theproduction of beers, etc. at all beer factories of the five member beer companies of the Brewers Association ofJapan5

3．〔New targets〕Industry-specific plastic-related targets (3)Industry (Organizationname)Real estate(The Real Estate Companies
Association of Japan)

TargetFYBaseline
FY

Maintain a recycling rate of 100% for waste plastics generated at buildings used for the industry’s own
business operations through fiscal 2030.

FY2030FY2019Improve the green procurement rate of products purchased in buildings used for the industry’s business
operations

ーー

FY2020ーMake industry-wide efforts to promote measures and projects that contribute to the reduction, reuse andrecycling of plastics

ーー

Organize a forum for member companies to exchange information on corporate efforts addressing plasticrelated issues and make an effort to expand measures

ーーTargetAim for 100% segregated disposal of PET bottles at the office
Trade(Japan Foreign Trade Council)

Department stores(Japan Department StoresAssociation)

Reduce the volume of plastic containers and packaging used by 50% in terms of intensity (volume of use perunit sales) in 2030 relative to the 2000 baseline level.

FY2030FY2000Railway(East Japan Railway Company)

Promote recycling by installing segregated garbage bins at stations and separately collect PET bottles with thecooperation of customersーー

Engage in segregated collection of used PET bottles at 100% of member banks

FY2030ー

Engage in clean-ups and other measures to reduce marine plastic litter at 100% of member banks

FY2030ー

The bank industry will engage in the effective use of resources and waste reductionーーThe bank industry will actively support companies that take measures to address plastic-related issues in linewith government policyーーPromote the use of paper manufactured in ways that reduce environmental burden, while making efforts toreduce environmental burden and reuse resources by ensuring the segregated collection of waste, etc. with aview to plastic resource circulation and measures to prevent the plastic outflow into the oceanーー

Reduction rate of plastic containers and packaging: 16% (cumulative)

FY2020FY2004

Recycling rate of plastic containers and packaging: 46%

FY2020FY2004Banks(Japan Bankers Association)

Securities(Japanese Securities DealersAssociation)<Reference>
Plastic Containers and Packaging(Plastic Packaging Recycling Council)

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<Reference> Voluntary Action Plan for Promoting the 3Rs
in Containers and Packaging◇ The Liaison Committee of Associations Promoting 3R, comprising 8 containers and packaging
recycling organizations, formulated the “Voluntary Action Plan for Promoting the 3Rs in Containers
and Packaging in March 2006, given the Keidanren Proposal “Toward the Establishment of an
Effective Recycling System for Containers and Packaging” (October 2005)◇Individual targets have been set up for each material type of container or packaging and conducts
annual follow-up surveys, renewing target levels, as required.
<Recycling rate targets and performance><Reduction rate targets and performance>

FY2020 target

FY2017
performance

Material

Glass bottles

No less than 70％

69.2％

Glass bottles

PET bottles

No less than 85％

84.8％

PET bottles

No less than 90％

93.4％

No less than 90％

92.5％

Material

Steel cans

Indicator

Recycling rate

Aluminum cans
Plastic
containers andpackaging
Paper
containers andpackaging
Paper
containers forbeverages
Cardboard
boxes

Recycling rate

No less than 46％

No less than 28%
Collection rate

No less than 50％
No less than 95％

46.3％

24.5％
43.4％
96.1％

Ref. PET bottle collection rate: 92.2% (Performance in 2017)

Steel cans

Aluminum cans
Plastic
containers andpackaging
Paper
containers andpackaging
Paper
containers forbeverages
Cardboard
boxes

Indicator
Averageweight per

bottle (can)500mlmilk carton
Averageweight per m2

FY2020 target(relative toFY2004)

FY2017
performance

1.5% lighter

2.2％

25％ lighter

23.9％

8％ lighter

7.8％

5.5％ lighter

5.3％

3％ lighter

2.9％

6.5％ lighter

5.1％

14％

11.2％

16％

15.9％

Reduction rate

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Outline of “Contributing to the UN SDGs through Measures
Addressing Plastic Waste Issues”◆Conducted a questionnaire survey targeting member companies and organizations on efforts
serving plastic resource circulation and ocean plastic issues（Sep. 12 – Oct. 12, 2018)⇒Appeal the Japanese business community’s efforts both domestically and internationally,
Promote voluntary approaches◆Across three recruitment periods, 300 efforts were reported by 164 business operators andbusiness associations.
10/12

９/12

Recruitment ofefforts
Announcementof collection ofefforts

1st recruitment

11/13

11/30

2nd recruitment

11/13 : First edition◆119 business operatorsand business associations◆208 efforts

12/10

２/８

２/15

3rd recruitment

12/10: Second edition◆141 business operators andbusiness associations (cumulative total)◆251 efforts (cumulative total)

2/15: Third edition◆164 business operators andbusiness associations (cumulative total)◆300 efforts (cumulative total)◆Collection of efforts made by companies and organizations of 29 industries*. A wide range ofindustries are taking measures. *Based on the 33 industries of the Tokyo Stock Exchange. Categories for organizations and non-listed companies
were allocated by the Keidanren Secretariat based on considerations of business operations◆In addition to reduction, reuse and recycling, efforts covered awide range of activities, including coastal cleanups,
environmental education, R&D&D of alternative to plastics.

Take advantage of the B20 and G20 Summits in 2019 to widely
showcase the Japanese business community’s efforts
domestically and internationally.
(An English summary was distributed at the B20 meeting.)

84．Near future challenges
Current situation◇Japan has been very successful in its efforts to achieve a Sound Material-Cycle Society, supportedby the cooperation of national government, local governments, operators, consumers and nonprofit organizations etc..
◇On the other hand, the circumstances related to efforts toward resource circulation is changing
significantly with marine plastic litter issues and the introduction or enhancement of bans against
plastic waste imports in emerging economies.

Challenges and future efforts◇Keidanren will by actively and voluntarily engage in the promotion of the 3Rs through continued
efforts to promote the Voluntary Action Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society while
not only reducing the final disposal volume of industrial waste but also improving the quality of thematerial-cycle and ”industry-specific plastic-related targets”.
◇ Keidanren is determined to continue to engage in recycling method innovations, including
development of new feasible low-cost technologies and their deployment, as well as nontechnology socio-economic innovations, including lifestyle transformations through collaborationand cooperation with various sectors and levels of society.
◇Given limited room for the further reduction of final disposal volume of industrial waste undercurrent level of available technologies and existing legislative framework in Japan, it is critical that
the Japanse Government improve and review related legislations and their administration andprovide other policy support. In addition, the digitalization of waste information and the utilizationof data promise to lead to innovation and higher productivity.
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