リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:45 PM ページ 2●

What is the “Containers and Packaging Recycling Law?”● The term “selective collection” or “sorted collection” means collectionof sorted packaging waste or collection and sorting of commingled
packaging waste by municipalities, which is similar to the curbside
collection in the U.S.A.

Businesses Required to Recycle

Efforts to Recycle

Medium or large-scale business entities of the following
categories are, as a general rule, considered “specified business
entities” under the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law andare obligated to recycle: 1) business entities that use“containers” or “wrapping” in manufacturing or selling
merchandise, 2) business entities that manufacture “containers,”
and 3) business entities that import and sell “containers” ormerchandise in “containers” or “wrapping.”
However, small-sized business entities
Rules for determining
meeting the requirements listed below“specified business
entities” are given on
are not subject to this law.

Under the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, recyclingroles have been assigned to specified business entities for
effective use of resources. The total amount of recycling
obligation under the law is based on the amount of selective
collection planned by municipalities and the amount which canbe recycled, and is calculated by the competent ministries. The
amount of selective collection and the recyclable amount areannounced by the government in its five-year plans.

page 8.

■ Definition of Small-sized Business
Entities (those exempted from recycling obligations)Type of Business
Manufacturing

Containers and Wrapping Targeted
for Selective Collection

Retail/Wholesale,Services

Paper drink packs

Corrugated cardboard

451

460

467

372

381

387

395

401

Glass bottles (other colors)

197

202

206

210

214

¥70 million or less5 or fewer
employees

PET bottles

214

229

243

259

273

Paper containers and wrapping

148

165

190

207

222

Plastic containers and wrapping

487

628

752

854

917

2005

2006

2007

DesignatedOrganization route

Own recycling route

SpecifiedBusiness Entities

SpecifiedBusiness Entities

SpecifiedBusiness Entities(recycling obligation)

Recycling fee

DesignatedOrganization

Approval of entire
route by competent
ministries

Recycler

2003

2004

Glass bottles (colorless)

270

270

270

270

270

Glass bottles (amber)

200

200

200

200

200

Glass bottles (other colors)

160

160

160

160

160

PET bottles

292

311

315

317

319

Paper containers and wrapping

313

505

505

505

505

Plastic containers and wrapping

591

655

776

835

892

▼ The total amount of Recycling Obligation (Fiscal 2003)
Items included in thespecified selective standard

Recycler

Municipalities (selective collection and storage)

Consumers (selective discarding)▼ Recyclable amount (unit: 1000 tons)

Recycling contract

Recycling
contract fee*Please see page 5 “Designated Organization”

2442¥240 million or lessSelf-collection route

Retail store

431

Estimated Estimated The amount Ratio for which Total amountamount of amount of is calculated s p e c i f i e d of recyclings e l e c t i v e r e c y c l i n g based on the b u s i n e s s o b l i g a t i o ncollection obligation smaller figure entities are for FY2003
for FY2003 for FY2003 for (a) and (b) responsible
(= a)
(= b)
above
1000 tons 1000 tons 1000 tons%
10,000 kg

Amount of selective collection planned nationwide(current year)
Amount specified business entities are
required to recycle

Portion notapplicable----------- Ratio of obligation of specified business entities -----------

Portion carriedover fromprevious year

In comparison with the amount obtained by multiplying
the recycling plan’s figure by the ratio of recycling requiredof specified business entities (the lesser of the two)

A Total amount of recycling obligation
Ratio of specified container users or manufacturers by business category =D proportional division of “specified container user” or“specified container manufacturer”
Container users
Company A’s
share of the obligation(example)

Container Manufacturers............
＝X
business............................................................................... ............
＝Y
business............................................................................... ............

Specified wrapping user＝Zbusiness............

C
Business category ratio =proportional division of each business category

Aluminum cans

Glass bottles (colorless)Glass bottles (amber)

3

Steel cans

2007

20 or fewer
employees

2Collection

2006...........................

Plastic containers, wrapping,and styrene foam trays

2005

Number of Employees

1

Approval of
specified business
entity’s collection
method bycompetent
ministries*

2004■ Model for Calculating Amount of Recycling
Obligation............

Paper containers and wrapping

2003

Each specified business entity will have its own respective“amount of recycling obligation” in accordance with its categoryof business and the types of containers and wrapping involved.
In addition, the amount used or manufactured will be taken into
account when calculating the amount of recycling obligation.

..................

PET Bottles

Containers
and wrappingthat “specified
business entities”
are obligatedto recycle.

▼ Estimated amounts of selective collection (unit: 1000 tons)

Sales■ The Three Recycling Routes

Glass containers■ Amount of Selective Collection and Recyclable Amount

How to Calculate Amount ofRecycling Obligation

Specified containers portion*Officially called the “Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection andRecycling of Containers and Packaging.”● In this pamphlet, the term “containers” is used to mean bottles, boxesor the like into which merchandise is placed, and “wrapping” to mean
wrapping paper or the like in which merchandise is wrapped; andthe term “containers and packaging” is used to mean both only in thenames of the Law and the designated organization.

Specified wrapping
portionEach year households in Japan discard about 51.45 million tonsof waste (FY1999 figure). “Containers and wrapping waste”
account for about 60% of this waste by volume. In order topromote the conversion of these discarded containers andwrapping into a “resource,” the Containers and Packaging
Recycling Law* was officially announced in June 1995 andimplemented in April 1997. Consumers, municipalities,business entities, and each and every person all have a role toplay in cooperating actively to build a recycling-oriented society.

Notes on Terminology

Specified container or wrapping ratio =proportional division of “specified containers” or “specified wrapping”

Containers and Wrapping Accountfor 60% of Waste

Did you know? The Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

Containers and wrapping waste is increasing...that is why this law has been created.

B

Glass bottles (colorless)

431

270

270

90

24,300Glass bottles (amber)

372

200

200

82

16,400Glass bottles (other colors)

197

160

160

88

14,080Company A’s Case (specified container users)

PET bottles

214

292

214

100

21,400Paper containers and wrapping

148

313

*71

92

6,532

estimated output ofindividual container user
Amount of＝ A × B × C× D ×recycling obligation
estimated total output of all container

Plastic containers and wrapping

487

591

487

91

44,317* The figure is arrived at by subtracting the amount independently disposed of by municipalities,
which is about 77,000 tons according to a survey by the Ministry for the Environment, from theestimated total amount for selective collection.

users in that business category3リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:46 PM ページ 4●
Did you know? The Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

Transforming “waste” into “resources” once again.
Mechanism for Recycling Containers and Wrapping (flowchart of recycling by the Designated Organization route)
Each person has a role to play in recycling from his or her respective position—that is the basic idea expressed in theContainers and Packaging Recycling Law. In other words, if any of the parties involved—the “specified business entity”
that bears recycling obligation, the “municipality” that undertake selective collection, or the “consumer” who undertakes
selective discarding of their waste—fails to fulfill their roles, waste cannot be transformed back into resources again.

■ Recycling Methods

Glass containers

▼

Type

Recycling methods

Examples of recycled products

Making cullet, etc.

● Glass containers● Construction andcivil engineering
materials, and others■ In the Case of PET Bottles
Pelletization, etc.

▼

PET bottles

Polyester materials, etc.

Paper containers and wrapping▼

Executing Recycling
Obligation

Selected pulp andwaste paper

Refuse+ Derived
Fuel

Construction materials, recycled
and shredded paper, textiles, etc.

Refuse+ Derived
Fuel

R
ec
yc
Fe lingeSpecifiedBusiness Entities

Consumers

Plastic containers and wrapping
Styrene foam trays▼

Materials for plastics
Coke substitute for pig iron production
Synthetic gas
Coal substitute for coke production

PET bottle manufacturer,
Beverage manufacturer¥

Synthetic oil● Fibers● Sheet plastic● PET bottles
and others● Paperboard● Solid fuel● Recycled andreused boards, etc.
● Stationery supplies,
household sundries
and other plastic
products● Materials forindustrial use

DesignatedOrganization- Business entities which use “containers” or “wrapping” in manufacturing or sale of merchandise- Business entities which manufacture “containers”- Business entities which import and sell merchandise placed in “containers” or “wrapping”eng e
cli t Fcy racRe ont
C

Tr
an
sfe
rC
on
tra
ct

Specified Business Entities
Rules for determining“specified business
entity” status are
given on page 8.

*These businesses are called “specified business entities” and have the recycling obligation (This does not
apply to small-sized businesses).

Consumers (selective discarding)¥

Recycling begins with good manners and the due consideration of individual consumers. Please follow the “discarding
rules” set forth by the respective municipalities. In addition, make an effort to choose products with simpler packaging
and make active use of refillable containers. With everyone’s understanding and cooperation, we can take that first,
crucial step in recycling.

Municipalities (selective collection)

Municipalities

Recyclers

Municipalities play two roles: 1) conducting collection, sorting and washing of containers and wrapping in accordancewith “sorting standards” specified under the law, and 2) storing in appropriate storage facilities. Containers and wrapping
waste clearing both 1) and 2) are called “items meeting sorting standards.”
Items meeting sorting standards collected by municipalities which have concluded transfer contracts with the DesignatedOrganization are received by the Designated Organization, which proceeds to the next step in recycling.

Recyclers
Recyclers transport items meeting sorting standards and process them, transforming them into “resources” once more.

Sales to Textile
Manufacturers and Others

4

Designated Organization
The Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association is a Designated Organization appointed by the fivecompetent ministries (Finance; Health, Labor and Welfare; Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries; Economy, Trade andIndustry; and the Environment). It promotes smooth and appropriate recycling of items meeting sorting standards.
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リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:47 PM ページ 6●
Did you know? The Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

What are the “containers” and “wrapping” thatspecified business entities are obligated to recycle?
What are Containers and Wrapping?
“Containers” can be thought of as things into which merchandise is placed (this includes bags), and “wrapping” as materials
in which merchandise is wrapped. Further, under the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, containers and wrapping aredefined as “things that become unnecessary once the merchandise has been consumed or otherwise separated from them.”“Determining Criteria” and “Main Examples” of Containers and Wrapping

Materials and Shapes

Paper Containers
and Wrapping

Plastic Containers
and Wrapping● Containers made mainlyof polyethylene terephthalate(to be filled with beverages
and soy sauce) and which
are listed here.

1) Bottles, 2) other containers having a structure orform similar to 1).

● Containers or wrapping
made mainly of paper(excluding paper drink packs
and items consisting mainlyof corrugated cardboard)
and which are listed here.

1) Boxes and cases, 2) cups and cup-shaped
containers, 3) plates and trays, 4) bags, 5) containers
having a structure or form similar to 1) to 4), 6) stoppers,
lids and caps for containers or items resembling these,7) containers used as a part of a main container, which
are processed or glued to the container so as to protect
or immobilize the merchandise placed in this container,and 8) wrapping.

● Containers or wrapping
made mainly of plastic(excluding the above PET
bottles) and which arelisted here.

1) Boxes and cases, 2) bottles, 3) casks and buckets, 4)cups and cup-shaped containers, 5) plates and trays, 6)
containers consisting of a sheet with indentations, 7)
tube-shaped containers, 8) bags, 9) containers having a
structure or form similar to 1) to 8), 10) stoppers, lids
and caps for containers or items resembling these, 11)
containers used as a part of a main container, which areprocessed or glued to the container so as to protect orimmobilize the merchandise placed in this container,and 12) wrapping.

Method for
distinguishingcontainers andwrapping
composed of
two or morematerials▼
Classify themaccording to theheaviest of thematerials of which
they arecomposed (thematerial that has
the largest
percentage of all
in terms of weight)- Boxes for candy or toys
- Boxes for shoes or household electronics- Pocket-sized bag for tissue paper- Containers for lipstick or stick glue
- Multi-packs containing beverages or natto- Outer shrink-film for a packet of cigarettes- Plastic or paper bags received at supermarket
check-out counters- For package of multiple-roll toilet paper- Outer shrink-film for cup noodles- Bag for straws that come with beverage packs- Bag for chopsticks that come with box lunches,etc.

Wrapping which becomes unnecessary whenremoved from the included merchandise- Wrapping paper at department stores andother retailers- Wrapping film for covering fresh food products
on trays- Paper and film used to wrap hamburgers,
caramels, etc.
- Stretch-film for wrapping lunches sold atconvenience stores, etc.
*This applies to wrapping that exceeds one half of theminimum area necessary to cover the entire item ofmerchandise. Thus, tape for binding vegetables inbunches, the band label on socks and similar bands are
exempt from the law.

Lids, caps and other items forming a partof containers

Other Items Generally Considered as Containers or Wrapping

PET Bottles

1) Bottles, 2) cups and cup-shaped containers,3) plates and trays, 4) containers having a structure
or form similar to 1) to 3), and 5) stoppers, lids andcaps for containers or items resembling these.

Examples of Containers

Glass
Containers

Containers which become unnecessary whenremoved from the included merchandise

Examples of Wrapping● Containers made primarilyof glass (excluding thosemade of silicate glass or
milk glass) and which arelisted here.

- Stoppers and lids for containers (lids on cup
noodles, pudding, etc.)- Caps (tops to aerosol cans)- Pumps and trigger-style nozzles on shampoo
and other bottles- Inner lids (on bottles of liquid cosmetics)- Container mouth seals (seals on the mouthsof tubes containing flavoring agents)

Items used to protect or immobilize
merchandise or resembling lids or trays- Molded material to contain machine parts- Crayon case inner sheets- Shock absorbing materials made of expanded
polystyrene materials- Soft sheets or nets for wrapping merchandise- Film or other items resembling lids which
cover the surface of butter or strawberries
placed in packs- Cardboard inserts for maintaining the shapeof shirts▼

Items not listed above6

are exempt from the law.

Exemption

Exemption

Exemption

Exemption

1

2

3

4

When the item contained is
not merchandise:

When they are used for “supplyof services,” not “merchandise:”- Envelopes containing letters and direct
mail- Paper bags and boxes containing gifts- Containers and wrapping placed inhouseholds, etc.

- Dry cleaning bags
- Containers and wrapping withcoupons, gift certificates, etc.

Items which do not become unnecessary
when removed from the contents or
which are a part of the merchandise:- CD cases- Book jackets- Cases for musical instruments,
cameras, and others.
- Glass display cases for dolls, etc.

In accordance with what iscommonly understood as such:- Wrapping which covers less than
one half of the surface of merchandise- Labels, stickers, seals and tapes- Items which are used after physical separationfrom “containers” or “wrapping”- Partitions in boxes of sushi, etc.

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