リサイクル法2003表紙̲eng 03.2.6 2:44 PM ページ 1

The Containers and Packaging
Recycling Law▼ Sources for More Information
Bureau: Department, Section

AddressTEL■ Hokkaido Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Division
Kita Hachijo Nishi 2-1-1, Kita-ku, Sapporo-shi 060-0808
011-709-1754 (direct)■ Tohoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Recycling Division
Honcho 3-3-1, Aoba-ku, Sendai-shi 980-8403
022-263-1206 (direct)■ Kanto Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Industrial Policy, Environmental Protection and Recycling Division
Kamiochiai 2-11, Saitama-shi, 330-9715
048-600-0293 (direct)■ Chubu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Industrial Policy, Environmental Protection and Recycling Division
Sannomaru 2-5-2, Naka-ku, Nagoya-shi 460-8510
052-951-2768 (direct)■ Kinki Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Industrial Policy, Environmental Protection and Recycling Division
Otemae 1-5-44, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi 540-8535
06-6966-6018 (direct)■ Chugoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Environmental Protection and Recycling Division
Kamihatchobori 6-30, Naka-ku, Hiroshima-shi 730-8531
082-224-5675 (direct)■ Shikoku Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Environmental Resource Division
Bancho 1-10-6, Takamatsu-shi 760-8512
087-834-3954 (direct)■ Kyushu Bureau of Economy, Trade and Industry: Department of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources, Recycling Promotion Division
Hakataeki Higashi 2-11-1, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka-shi 812-8546
092-482-5471 (direct)■ Okinawa General Bureau, Cabinet Office: Departmento of Economy, Trade and Industry, Environmental Resource Division
Maejima 2-21-7, Naha-shi 900-8530
098-866-0068 (operator)■ Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry: Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Recycling Promotion Division
Kasumigaseki 1-3-1, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-8901
03-3501-4978 (direct)

Make the most of
our “resources!”● Homepage: http://www.meti.go.jp/

Government-Designated Organization■ The Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association

Address

TEL

Yusei Gojokai Kotohira Bldg. (3rd/8th Fl.),
1-14-1 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-0001

General Affairs Division 03-5532-8597
Public Relations Division 03-5532-8604● Homepage: http://www.jcpra.or.jp/

Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry, Japan(2003.1

200,000)

Ministry of Economy,
Trade and Industry, Japan

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.
5

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.

7

リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:48 PM ページ 8●
Did you know? The Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

Chart for determining whether or not you are obligated to recycle.
Method for Determining Specified Business Entity Status* Please refer to the respective checkpoints below when you cannot answer the questions or are uncertain of your status.

12

Is your company engaged in any of the following five types of business?

1

Business entities which use
containers or wrapping in
manufacturing merchandise.

Manufacturers of foods,
soft drinks, liquors, soap,
paint, pharmaceuticals,
cosmetics, etc.

2

Container
manufacturers.

Manufacturers of glass
bottles, PET bottles,
paper boxes, bags,
etc.

3

Retail or wholesale
businesses.

Those which use containers
or wrapping in selling
merchandise.

4

Importing businesses.

1) Importing containers
2) Importing merchandise placedin containers or wrapping.
3) Placing containers or
wrapping intomerchandise after
importing5

Educational foundations,religious foundations,restaurants with take-out
service, etc.

YES

4

3

Among the merchandise andservices you are providing, arethere some that are ultimately
consumed at home?

YES

To which of the following twoclasses of business, A or B, does
the division with the biggest sales
in your company belong?
(A) Manufacturing and Other Related
Businesses *industries other thanthose listed in (B)Agricultural, forestry and fisheries businesses,
and manufacturing businesses, as well as
corporations, educational foundations andreligious foundations stipulated under Article
34 of the Civil Code.

(B) Trading and Service Businesses
Wholesalers, retailers, importers,
eating and drinking establishments,
service businesses, etc.
See Checkpoint
q if you cannot
answer.

NO

You have no obligation to recycle.

q

If your company has a division that handles containers or wrapping, pleaseproceed to Q2.

Checkpointw

Checkpoint w-2

There is a possibility, however, thatyou will be obligated to keep records.

● Glass and other containers containing pharmaceuticals shipped solely tohospitals and disposed of at the hospitals after their use.
● A case in which a business entity is selling “rice balls” (dried rice), forexample, to be used in overseas travel, 90% of which, according to theresults of its own survey, are generally consumed overseas (items disposedof overseas are not considered to be consumed at households).

Checkpointe<2> Regarding “Record Keeping Obligation”

Even when containers and wrapping are used, they are not consumed athome in the following cases. Even in these cases, though, there is still arecord keeping obligation. For information regarding keeping these records,
please see pages 14-15.

Even if you do not belong to the example given in <Q2>, if you answer YES
to <Q4>, you will be responsible for keeping records. It is important to keep
records in order to calculate accurately the amount of recycling obligationand to perform follow-up confirmation. Records must be closed each year
and retained for a period of five years after closing. For more detailed
information, please see pages 14-15.

8

See Checkpoint
e if you cannot
answer.

(A) Does your company have
21 or more employees or total
sales exceeding 240 millionyen?

(B) (B) Does your company have 6
or more employees or total
sales exceeding 70 million
yen?

See Checkpoint
r if you cannot
answer.

NO

BUT

Other cases which are still
subject to the law.

<1> Cases in which merchandise is not consumed at home.

● Plastic bags containing sauces made available at restaurants (because
they are consumed in the course of business activities at the restaurant, andnot considered to become household waste).
● Containers or wrapping placed solely for the purpose of shipping
merchandise (because they should be normally disposed of properly at theshop or place of business, as business waste which q are placed as part ofa delivery service, w are not provided to the customers as part of themerchandise, and e will not require the customer to bear waste disposal
obligation).

NO

BUT

Checkpoint q

Checkpoint

See Checkpoint
w if you cannot
answer.

(A)

If your company has two or more divisions with approximately equal sales,
please choose A or B based on an overall determination of which division islargest considering q sales, w number of employees, and e scale offacilities. If your company has a division which manufactures or sells
merchandise, you are engaged in that kind of business, even if the main
division is construction, transport, communications, real estate or the like.

Checkpointr<1> Calculating number of employees
Please consider the total number of employees at your company, not justthe number of employees in separate divisions. Specifically, employees are
considered as follows:
q For multiple branches, the total number of employees overall,w judged as the “number of persons normally employed.”
Here, the “number of persons normally employed” is decided in accordancewith the construction of the Labor Standards Law and Basic Law on Smalland Medium Businesses. In general, this does not include part-time or
temporary workers, but here “part-time or temporary workers” means“person not requiring advance notice of discharge,” as follows● Daily hired,(excluding, however, those who continued to be employed beyond a one-month period)● Persons employed for a term of two months or less,(excluding, however, those who continued to be employed beyond a two-month period)● Seasonal workers employed for a term of four months or less(excluding, however, those who continued to be employed beyond a four-month period)● Persons employed for a probation period(excluding, however, those who continued to be employed beyond a fourteen-day period)<2> Calculating total sales
Here, “total sales” means the sales that is commonly understood as such.
For this reason, you can use whatever your company itself uses in settling
its accounts. Also, as the purpose is to determine how much income yourcompany has earned overall and how much economic power it possesses,
please consider the sales of your company overall.
In counting sales by business category, the following procedures arenormally followed.
● Mining and manufacturing business: counting sales of merchandise,● Transport and service business: counting the value of the services
provided,● Wholesale and retail businesses: counting sales of merchandise,● Agriculture, forestry and fisheries businesses: counting sales ofmerchandise.

9リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:49 PM ページ 10●
Did you know? The Containers and Packaging Recycling Law

Method for Determining Specified Business Entity Status

Are the containers or wrappingused in any of the following?

Are the containers or wrapping
made of the following materials?
- Glass- PET- Plastic- Paper- Composite materials

7

YES- For merchandise- For accessories to merchandise- In the process of retail sales

YES

YES

8

Regarding your company’s use or manufacturingof containers or wrapping, have any “contract
relationship for manufacture or use” been made?

When the containers or wrapping
are removed from the contents,
are they discarded?

YES

9

In the above-mentioned “contract relationship,” haveany substantial decisions been made on the materials
or structure of the containers or wrapping?

NO

See Checkpoint
t if you cannot
answer.

NO

See Checkpoint
y if you cannot
answer.

See Checkpoint
u if you cannot
answer.

NO

See Checkpoint
i if you cannot
answer.

You have no obligation to recycle.

t<1> Meaning of glass, PET, plastic and paper materials
The “materials” of the containers and wrapping of <Q5> indicate thosedefined on page 6.

<2> Composite materials
Regarding containers and wrapping made of multiple materials which would
be hard to separate, please determine the type of containers or wrapping on
the basis of the material of the highest ratio by weight.
● Example of a composite material: trays formed from fillersheet (50% ormore calcium carbonate content) are considered to be calcium carbonate
containers, and thus non-plastic containers and wrapping, and are exempt
from the law.

Checkpointy

The use of containers and wrapping in <Q6> is for merchandise or its
accessories.
● Gifts and services (rental videos, dry cleaning) do not fall within thescope.
● Regarding samples (for trial use, etc.), if they are clearly distinguishable
from merchandise to be sold, then they are exempt from the law, but if they
are indistinguishable from merchandise being sold, then even if they arebeing called samples and distributed free of charge, they are subject to thelaw.
● For other examples, please see page 7 “Main Examples of Containers
and Wrapping.”

CheckpointNO

Other cases which are still subject tothe law.

u

For judging whether or not containers or wrapping will be discarded once
removed from the contents, please see page 7 “Main Examples ofContainers and Wrapping.”

Checkpointi

Entities that are entrusted with the manufacture of containers or wrappingfrom entities that use the containers or wrapping will be considered
specified business entities, regardless of whether or to what degree they
have received manufacturing instructions or materials from the users.

Checkpoint

If any points remain unclear,please consult with us.
*Our contact information islisted on the back cover of thisbooklet.

* If you fail to fulfill yourobligations, you will be
subject to penalties.

oRegarding the obligations under the Containers and Packaging Recycling
Law, please see pages 4-5.

10

YES

BUT

Checkpoint i

CheckpointNO

Specified Business Entity

6

5

See Checkpoint
i if you cannot
answer.

The obligations under theContainer and Packaging
Recycling Law apply to you.

* Please refer to the respective checkpoints below when you cannot answer the questions or are uncertain of your status.

(For details, please see page 14.)Checkpoint o11リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:49 PM ページ 12

You can also fulfill your obligations by
paying a recycling fee to the “Designated Organization.”
The “Recycling Fee” and Methods of Calculation

Estimated
Amount of
Output (kg)=Amount of Specified
Containers andWrapping Used*in “Merchandise
Sold During thePrevious Year” (kg)w−

the portion of qwhich your company
collects itself(or by requestingother parties) (kg)＋the portion of q used
on “merchandise
consumed in thecourse of businessactivities” (kg)

Recycling
Fee (yen)

When the recycling fee due to the Designated Organization
exceeds 100,000 yen, payment may also be made ininstallments. Note that the number of installments and due dates
differ depending on the size of the recycling fee.

■ Recycling Operation Flowchart

Annual Recycling Fee

Number of
Installments

April

July

100,000 yen
or less

Total
payment due

ーー

100%

ーー

ーー

100,000 ~30 million yen

Total
payment due
3
installments

ーー

100%

ーー

ーー

ーー

50%

25%

25%

30 million yen
or more2
installments
4
installments

50%

50%

ーー

ーー

40%

30%

15%

15%

Recycling
Contract
Procedures
Period of
Recycling
Operations

Amount of Recycling Obligationq

Application for and conclusion of recycling contracts can be doneat the Chambers of Commerce or the Industry and Commerceand Industry Associations nationwide, which act on behalf of
Designated Organizations. Please inquire at your nearest
Chamber of Commerce and Industry or Commerce and Industry
Association.

Estimated

Calculation
RecyclingAmount of ×
= Output
Coefficient × Unit Cost(kg)

Settlementof Recycling
Fee

PrecedingFiscal Year

In order to enable individual specified business entities tocalculate with ease the amount of recycling which they are
responsible for, a “calculation coefficient” is set. The “recycling
unit cost” is calculated from recycling costs. Both of thesevalues change each year. The amounts and ratios used as thebasis for the coefficient are obtained from the Japanese
government, and the recycling unit cost is announced by the
Designated Organization. When these two figures are multipliedwith the “estimated amount of output,” the figure obtained is the“recycling fee” payable to the Designated Organization.

Payment May Also Be Made in Installments

Current
Fiscal Year

How much to pay as “recycling fees”—first, calculate the“estimated amount of output” based on the amount of output ofthe previous year. The point is to separate the amount passed
on to the consumers from the amount w collected by yourcompany or consumed in the course of business activities, anddeclare only the portion which ultimately ended up as waste
discarded from households (q2-w). Business entities that canperform this calculation themselves should select the “ordinary
calculation” and those that would have difficulty should selectthe “simplified calculation.”

When and Where Is Application Made?

Next
Fiscal Year

“Estimated Amount of Output” x “Calculation Coefficient” x “Recycling Unit Cost” = “Recycling Fee”

December Designated Organization commences acceptance of〜recycling contract applications (December)
Deadline for recycling contract applications (February)
Deadline for concluding contracts (March)

April〜
January

Commencement of recycling contract term with the DesignatedOrganization/commencement of recycling operations.
Payment of recycling fee to the Designated Organization

March

End of operations

July

Settlement of recycling fee

January of
October subsequentyear

Excluding Overlap*For “specified container manufacturers,” please substitute “manufactured”
in place of “used.”●▼

Can you calculate your“Ordinary Calculation”“estimated amount of output”?
Recycling
Fee (yen)Let’s calculate your recycling fee

Estimated
Amount of
Output (kg)=Amount of Specified
Containers andWrapping Used*in “Merchandise
Sold During thePrevious Year” (kg)w−

the portion of qwhich your company
collects itself(or by requestingother parties) (kg)＋

Estimated
Amount of
Output (kg)=

Recycling× Calculation
Coefficient × Unit Cost

*Please see “Recycling Fee Calculation Methods” (separate paper).
the portion of q used
on “merchandise
consumed in thecourse of businessactivities” (kg)

Unable to calculate*Under the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, “ordinary calculation”
is used as a general rule. Please make an effort to understand w of theformula.

On the Website of the Designated Organization, the Japan
Containers and Packaging Recycling Association, we haveprovided a “calculation page” to assist calculating the “recycling
obligation amount.” You can also make an application for arecycling contract online. Please feel free to make use of thisservice.

“Simplified Calculation”

Excluding Overlap*For “specified container manufacturers,” please substitute “manufactured”
in place of “used.”

Calculation and application can bemade on our Website▼q

For Specified Business Entities

Able to calculate

Recycling
Fee (yen)=Amount of Specified
Containers andWrapping Used*in “Merchandise
Sold During thePrevious Year” (kg)

Recycling
委託単価
× Calculation
Coefficient × Unit Cost

*Please see “Recycling Fee Calculation Methods” (separate paper).
Specified containers and wrapping used* in “merchandise sold in theprevious year” (kg) is calculated.

The Japan Containers and Packaging
Recycling Association

http://www.jcpra.or.jp/*For “specified container manufacturers,” please substitute “manufactured” inplace of “used.”1213

リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:49 PM ページ 14

Regarding Record Keeping and Examples■ Record-Keeping Example (case of a specified container user using the ordinary calculation method)■ Record Keeping

1
2

Recycling obligation amount
Estimated amount of output used in calculating recycling obligation
q Amount of specified containers and wrapping used in merchandise sold during the previous fiscal year
w Estimated amount of specified containers and wrapping to be used in merchandise (for the year of3■ Usercommencing use of specified containers and wrapping or discontinuing use)
Estimated amount of use of specified
containers and wrapping for the current e (amount of specified containers and wrapping used in merchandise in the initial year/number of months
during which merchandise was sold in the initial year) x 12 (for the second year after use of specified containers
year
and wrapping commenced, or for the third year after commencement, if the amount of the second year is not fixed)

q Amount of specified containers and wrapping sold during the previous fiscal year
w Estimated amount of specified containers and wrapping sold (for the year of commencement of manufacturing■ Manufacturerof specified containers and wrapping or discontinuing use)
Estimated amount of sales of specified e (amount of specified containers and wrapping sold in the initial year/number of months during whichcontainers for the current year
merchandise was sold in the initial year) x 12 (for the second year after manufacturing of specified containers andwrapping commenced, or for the third year after commencement, if the amount of the second year is not fixed)

4

5

In the case that the ordinary calculation q Amount of specified containers and wrapping collected by your company or by requesting otherparties for collection, calculated according to stipulations by the competent ministries
method was used to obtain the estimated w Amount of specified containers and wrapping not disposed of as containers and wrapping household
amount of output in 2.
waste, calculated according to stipulations by the competent ministries

Businessclassification

Food manufacturing industry; soft drink manufacturing, tea or coffee manufacturing industry; alcoholic beverage manufacturing industry;oil and fat processing, soap, toiletries, synthetic detergents, surfactants and paints manufacturing industry;
pharmaceuticals manufacturing industry; cosmetics, toothpaste and other manufacturing industry; retail sales industry; other industries

Classification ofcontainers or wrapping

Glass bottles (colorless, amber or other colors), PET bottles (for beverages or for soy sauce), other paper containers, other plastic containers

Name of merchandise using the specified containers (*)(When containers of almost the same shape, color and weight are used for various types ofmerchandise, they may be listed and added together in one column.)

w: Number of units sold of the merchandise placed in thespecified containers (*) during the current fiscal year (number of units)

w: Number of specified containers
manufactured and sold in thecurrent fiscal year (number of units)* Change containers to “wrapping”

e: Weight of the specified containers used with themerchandise sold during the current fiscal year q x w = e (kg)e: Amount of specified containers
sold in the current fiscal year (kg)

Delete this item

In the case the merchandise placed in r Weight of those containers (*) (kg)the specified containers (*) is exported Export destination (name of country or importer)y: Weight of portion of t collected by your business entity or
by requesting other parties (kg) 

r: Amount exported (kg)Same as to the left
t: Amount of specified containers
sold within Japan (kg)

* Change containers to “wrapping”* Change containers to “wrapping”

 ●

i: In the case that y or u cannot be calculated, the ratio ofcontainers and wrapping discarded as household waste

Same as to the left

For Specified Business Entities

8

q Date of conclusion of recycling contract
w Amount of containers or wrapping meeting sorting standards for recycling under the recycling contracte Due date of recycling fee under the recycling contract and date this was paid

Delete this item
q: Amount of specified
wrapping received (kg)(g)

u: Weight of portion of t consumed in the course of business
operations (kg)7Same as to the left

q: Weight of one specified container <*Note1>■ Manufacturer
q Types of specified containers
In the case specified containers are w Amount of specified containers
e Export destination of specified containers
exported

In the case that the estimated amount of q Type and collection method for specified containers and wrapping which your company is collecting
w Type and collection method for specified containers and wrapping which your company is requesting
output is obtained by ordinary calculation
another company to collect

For a specified wrapping user

* Change containers to “wrapping”

 

t: Weight of specified containers (*) used for the merchandise
sold within Japan e - r = t (kg)In the case approval has been received q Types of specified containers and wrapping for which approval has been received
w Amount of specified containers for which approval has been received
for own collectione Collection method for specified containers for which approval has been received

For a specified container
manufacturer    Structure and type of material■ Userq Types of specified containers and wrapping
In the case that merchandise placed in w Amount of specified containers and wrapping
specified containers and wrapping is exported e Export destination of merchandise placed in containers and wrapping

6“Items” in records will differ

Same as to the lefto: Estimated amount of containers and wrapping discarded
as household waste t - (y + u) or t x i (kg)
!0 : Coefficient used in ordinary calculation <*Note2>
Weight of recycling obligationo x !0 (kg)Terms and conditions of recycling contract if
concluded with the Designated Organization

Note: please do not mix usage of “ordinary calculation” and “simplified calculation” on the same page.

If a Specified Business Entity Fails to Fulfill Its Obligations, It Will Be Subject to Penalty.
If for any reason a specified business entity with the recycling obligation does not fulfill that obligation, the business
entity will be subject to penalties through “guidance and advice,” “recommendation,” “publication,” and “orders” of
the government.
q When there is failure to fulfill recycling obligations
w When records are not kept, when records contain false statements and when records are not retainede When upon request from the competent ministries for a business report, a report is not provided or the report contains
false statementsr When the business entity refuses inspection by the competent ministries or obstructs it

Items regarding recycling contracts with the Designated Organization
1.Date of conclusion of contract
2.Amount of estimated recycling

year

month

day

3.Due date of recycling fee

year

month

day

kg

4.Date of payment of recycling fee

year

month

day

<Note 1>: For the weight per unit of specified containers (or wrapping), use the figure obtained by weighing several of the specified containers (orwrapping) together (generally, ten units or more), then calculating the average weight per unit in grams (rounding the figure to the nearest gram).
However, in the event that this figure is a single digit or lower, round the number to two significant figures (rounding to the nearest tenth or hundredth
gram). If handles or other items are attached to the specified containers or wrapping in question and it would be difficult to separate them, the weightshould include them.
<Note 2>: Use the coefficient for each fiscal year to make the calculations (refer to the “Recycling Fee Calculation Method” on the insert).

*For q, if “guidance and advice,” “recommendation,” “publication,” and “orders,” are not complied with, a fine not exceeding 500,000 yen will be
imposed.
For w ~ r, in case of non-compliance, a fine not exceeding 200,000 yen will be imposed.

14

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リサイクル法2003̲eng 03.2.6 2:49 PM ページ 16

Please display “Identification Marks”
The purpose of the identification markings is to facilitate the sorting of discarded items by consumers when they put
out the waste and to promote selective collection by municipalities. Based on the Resource Effective Use Promotion
Law (official name: Law Concerning Promotion of Effective Use of Resources) before its revision, there has alreadybeen an obligation to display identification marks on steel or aluminum cans for alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages
and PET bottles for alcoholic, non-alcoholic beverages or soy sauce, but from April 2001, this obligation has been
extended to plastic and paper containers and wrapping.
Business Entities Subject to the Law, andTargeted Containers and Wrapping

PET bottles for beverages
and soy sauce

Plastic containers
and wrapping,

Paper containers
and wrapping,excluding above PET
bottles for beverages
and soy sauce

excluding paper drink
packs (using no aluminum)and corrugated cardboard● Business entities using containers or wrapping, business entities
manufacturing containers or wrapping and business entities importing andselling containers or wrapping bear the Identification Marking obligation.
● Note that even small-sized business entities, unlike in the case ofrecycling obligation, are not exempt from the Identification Marking
obligation.
● Recycling obligation and Identification Marking obligation, as a generalrule, do not apply to containers and wrapping of merchandise consumed
for the purpose of business activities.

Steel can forbeverages
Aluminum can forbeverages▼ For inquiries regarding Identification Markings…
TEL

FAX

Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry:
Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau, Recycling Promotion Division 03 - 3501 - 4978
Designated Organization

FAX

Homepage03 - 5532 - 8591 / 8558

03 - 5532 - 9698

http://www.jcpra.or.jp/

TEL

FAX

Homepage03 - 3501 - 5893
03 - 3501 - 6191

03 - 5521 - 9018
03 - 3501 - 0203

http://www.pprc.gr.jp/
http://www.kami-suisinkyo.org/

Plastic Containers and Packaging Recycling Promotion Council
Paper Containers and Packaging Recycling Promotion Council
Plastic Material Indication for Plastic Packaging

TEL

FAX

Homepage03 - 3586 - 9761

03 - 3586 - 9760

http://www.jpif.gr.jp/

TEL

FAX

Homepage03 - 3264 - 3903
03 - 3248 - 4851

03 - 3261 - 9176
03 - 5550 - 2101

Japan Plastic Industries Federation
Voluntary Marking

Paper Drink Packs Council
Corrugated Cardboard Recycling Council
Markings for Steel or Aluminum Cans and PET Bottles

http://www.meti.go.jp/

TEL

Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling Association: Research and Planning Division
Printing Pattern

Homepage

TEL

FAX

Homepage03 - 5550 - 9431
03 - 3582 - 9755
03 - 3662 - 7591

03 - 5550 - 9435
03 - 3505 - 1750
03 - 5623 - 2885

http://www.rits.or.jp/steelcan/
http://www.alumi-can.or.jp/
http://www.petbottle-rec.gr.jp/

Steel Can Recycling Association
Aluminum Cans Recycling Association
PET Bottles Recycling Promotion Council

Method of Identification Markings (plastic marking and paper marking)Marking Rules

Multiple Packaging and Collective Marking● Design
The design of the Identification Marks shall basically be as per themarks shown herein. As long as Marks remain easily recognizable andconspicuous, minor modification or decoration is allowed to theprescribed design.

● SizeThe vertical length of the Identification Mark shall be:

6 mm or more for printing or labels

8 mm or more for embossing

Composite Packaging● In case of so-called multiple packaging which consists of separable
components, such as cups for instant noodles (the cup, a lid, outer film
and soup bag), or shampoo bottles (the bottle, cap and pump), or
which consists of outer packaging and inner packaging contained
therein, such as cake box (inner bag and outer box), each component(other components are called “integrated containers and wrapping” inthe rules and regulations) is regarded to be one container or wrapping,
and the Identification Mark shall basically be placed directly on each ofthem.

● In case of plastic spouts on paper packs of Japanese sake (which
also contain aluminum) and paper labels glued on plastic bottles notseparable from glass bottles, or laminated film of plastic and aluminum,
the inseparable unit is regarded to be one container or wrapping. The
Identification Mark to be placed on such a unit is decided by theheaviest material in the unit.
For example, for containers and wrapping made of plastic, aluminumand paper, if the plastic accounts for the most weight, they are
considered primarily plastic packaging, and the plastic marking isdisplayed.

● However, the marks for respective components may be collectively
placed on one of them if they are to be discarded at almost the sametime. In this case, the names of components (called “role names” in therules and regulations) shall be indicated near their respective Marks.

● However, the plastic shrink labels surrounding PET bottles used forbeverages or soy sauce, many of which come with perforations tomake it easy to remove them, are treated as a separable component in
multiple packaging, as discussed w on the left.

Example of Marking

Marking Item

Outer film

Marking Item

(Plastic)

Example of Marking

Plain Containers and Wrapping andThose on which Markings Cannot be Made
● Items on which labels have been glued or those made by a molding
process in which it is possible to engrave markings do not qualify as plain.
● For plain containers and wrapping and those on which the marking is
not physically possible but which come with other structural parts that canbe removed (the “integrated containers and wrapping” of w on the left)
including one or more for which there is Identification Markings obligation(steel or aluminum beverage cans; beverages or soy sauce PET bottles;
plastic or paper containers and wrapping: called “related containers andwrapping” in the rules and regulations), the Identification Marks along withthe role name will be displayed on one of the “integrated containers andwrapping.” In this case, if there is a piece of “integrated containers andwrapping” which will be discarded at almost the same time as the plain
containers and wrapping, or that on which the marking is not physicallypossible, the marking will be displayed on that.
● If there are no “related containers and wrapping” among the otherstructural parts, or if there are, but they are all plain or cannot be marked
on, there is no Identification Markings obligation.

Marking Item

Example of Marking● Marking Method
Identification Marks shall be indicated on the surface by printing,embossing or labels.

Lid(Paper)●カップ
外装フィルム
液体スープ袋

Cup(Plastic)

Outer box

(Plastic: removable)(Paper: printed)

ふたImported Goods● Wrapping paper (made of paper or plastic) to be used by retail storesis exempt from the Marking requirement if its size is 1,300 squarecentimeters or less. However, the Identification Marking is preferred
even for such small sized paper if the cutting shape is known when thepaper is ordered.
● Wrapping paper manufactured to wrap a specific merchandise is notexempted regardless of its size.

Marking Item

Wrapping
paper(made of paperor plastic)

Example of Marking●
2

1,300 cmor moreor

Importers assume the obligation of the Identification Markings in thefollowing cases:● They provide directions regarding specification of materials or
structure of containers and wrapping or use of their trademarks.
● Japanese language is used on containers and wrapping by printing,embossing or labels.

■ Penalties
Any entities designated as “indication identification entities” or that havethe obligation to make identification markings that fail to make thenecessary indications or comply with the specified requirements will be
subject to government “penalties” through a process of guidance, publicannouncements, and injunctions in accordance with the provisions of the
Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources.
* Smaller enterprises as stipulated in the Small and Medium Enterprise Basic Law ordesignated by government ordinances will be not be the target of such guidance, if
the amount of their receipts corresponds to government-designated requirements.

16

外箱

箱

Inner bag

Paper pack

(Plastic: plain)(Paper and aluminum)●

Wrapping Paper●*Spout not targeted(Considered as part ofthe pack)(Plastic)

Soup bag

Cap

キャップ

Material Indication

内袋

Marking Guidelines● Regarding plastic containers and wrapping, there is no legal
obligation to indicate the type of plastic used or the presence of othermaterials, but it is still desirable to do so.
● Even when displaying them voluntarily, one must follow guidelines in
JIS K 6899-1200 (ISO1043-1 1997) regarding symbols for materials.
● For composite materials, two or more materials are to be indicated,
and the most prevalent material is to be underlined.
● A combined indication will have a colon separating the name of therole from the symbol for the material, as in the example below right.
Example of single
material

Example ofcomposite materials

Example of a combined
indication for role nameand material symbol

P E

PP , PET

キャップ：PE
ボトル：PP● In order to facilitate implementation of Identification Markings, it isexpected that industrial organizations establish guidelines for eachindustry and member companies follow these.

Voluntary Marking● There is no legal obligation for Identification Markings for paper
drink packs (not using aluminum) and corrugated cardboard
packaging, but related industrial organizations have voluntarily adopted
markings for these and are displaying them.

Paper packs

Corrugated cardboard

17