PWMI NewsletterNO

45 2016.4

Plastic Waste Management InstituteJAPAN

Plastic Products, Plastic Waste andResource Recovery [2014]
Background information and notes on the publication of the
Flowchart of Plastic Products, Plastic Waste and Resource
Recovery (2014)
Against the background of a gradual economic

reflects the results of a PWMI-original survey

recovery, 2014 saw improvement in stock prices,

titled “Supply and Demand Trends in Plastic Waste

corporate performance, and other economic

used for RPF” (released March 2015) using a

indicators in a trend continuing from the previous

revised method of estimation. In these results, theyear. Resin production remained about the same asamount of plastic waste effectively used as RPF

that of 2013, and while the drop in resin production

raw material came out to about 700 kt for 2014,

that began in 2010 has definitely halted, its current

indicating an increase of about 200 kt over that oflevel is still about 4,000 kt short of the 2007 level2013 based on a questionnaire-based survey.

prior to the Lehman Brothers collapse (Lehman
Shock).

As for exports of plastic waste for mechanicalrecycling, we have been using the value forWithin densified-refuse derived fuel in energy“plastic scrap” from trade statistics. By closely

recovery, the amount of plastic waste effectively

inspecting the content of trade statistics andused for refuse paper and plastic fuel (RPF) was

making appropriate corrections, we have been able

estimated to be about 500 kt in 2013 based on ato improve the accuracy of our figures.

questionnaire-based survey. The 2014 flowchart

2014 Highlights(1) Resin production increased by only 10 kt (+0.1%) relative to 2013, which means that it was essentially the same as
the previous year. Domestic plastic products consumption increased by 110 kt (+1.1%).
(2) Total plastic waste discharge decreased by 140 kt (-1.5%) relative to the previous year to 9,260 kt.
(3) Effectively used plastic waste increased by 10 kt (+0.1%) relative to the previous year to 7,680 kt pushing theeffective plastic utilization rate up to 83%, one point higher than the previous year.
In 2014, resin production was practicallyunchanged from the previous year at 10,610 kt (+10(+40 kt; +15.8%). The portion applied to total energy
recovery*2 came to 5,340 kt (-10 kt; -0.1%).

kt relative to 2013; +0.1%). Resin export, resin

The percentage contributions to the effective

i m p o r t , p r o d u c t ex p o r t , a n d p r o d u c t i m p o r t ,plastic utilization rate by mechanical recycling,

meanwhile, increased to 3,520 kt (+80 kt; +2.3%),

feedstock recycling, and energy recovery approximately

2,630 kt (+170 kt; +6.8%), 810 kt (+20 kt; +2.0%),

were 22%, 4%, and 58%, respectively, showing thatand 1,970 kt (+40 kt; +2.3%), respectively. As athe plastic utilization rate increased by one point

result, domestic plastic products consumption

overall to 83% relative to 2013.

increased to 9,770 kt (+110 kt; +1.1%).

Exports of plastic waste for mechanical recycling

Total plastic waste discharge decreased to 9,260 kt

came to 1,510 kt as a corrected value. Using the past(-140 kt; -1.5%). This result can be broken down into

calculation method, this figure would be 1,670 kt

domestic (general) plastic waste at 4,420 kt (-120 kt;(-10 kt; -0.7%), which is about the same as the-2.5%) and industrial plastic waste at 4,830 kt (-30previous year.

kt; -0.5%).
As for disposal and recovery methods, the portionof total plastic waste discharge applied to mechanicalrecycling decreased to 1,990 kt (-40 kt; -1.7%) andthat to feedstock recycling*1 increased to 340 kt*1: feedstock recycling = blast/coke furnaces + gasification +liquefaction*2: energy recovery = densified-refuse derived fuel and cement
material/fuel + incineration with power generation +incineration with heat utilization facility

Explanation of flowchart items(1) Resin production, resin processing,and marketing of products
1-1 Resin production
・ This figure was prepared by the Ministry of Economy, Tradeand Industry (METI) on the basis of chemical-industry
statistics.
1-2 Reclaimed products
・ For convenience sake, the figure used here is that of mechanicalrecycling at the previous year taking figures for export andimport of plastic waste into account (Ministry of Finance, trade
statistics).
1-3 Domestic plastic products consumption・ (domestic plastic products consumption) = (resin production) –{(resin export) – (resin import)} – (liquid resin, etc.) – {(resin

2

processing waste) – (reclaimed products)} – {(product export) –(product import)}
・ Resin export and import figures are based on trade statistics
from the Ministry of Finance.
・ Figures for liquid resin, synthetic fiber, etc. that fall outside
plastic waste discharge are based on chemical-industry statistics
from METI.

・ Figures for plastic product export and import are based on trade
statistics from the Ministry of Finance.
・ Figure for resin processing waste is discharged waste from theprocessing step that is not turned into products.

1-4 Domestic plastic input・ (domestic plastic input) = (domestic plastic products
consumption) – {(exported plastic parts from assembled
products) – (imported plastic parts from assembled products)}

・ Assembled products: automobiles, home appliances (televisions,refrigerators, freezers, air conditioners, washing machines anddryers)・ Number of exported/imported assembled products: Automobile
figures are based on Monthly Motor Vehicle Statistics of Japan
from Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA);
home appliance figures are based on “Current Production
Statistics” from Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry(METI).

industrial waste are extrapolated from the results ofquestionnaires sent to recycling companies. Production waste
and processing waste are taken to be the total of mechanicalrecycling.
・ “Recycled material” indicates pellets, flakes, fluff, blocks, andingots, while “recycled products” refer to film sheets, stakes,
pipes, etc. other than the above.
・ The export figure under “destination of recycling use” formechanical recycling is based on “scrap plastic” statistics from
Ministry of Finance trade figures.

(2) Discharge

3-2 Densified-refuse derived fuel, blast-furnace/coke-oven
raw materials, gasification, liquefaction

2-1 Post-use products discharge

・ Figutures for densified-refuse derived fuel includes plastic
waste for power generation; figures for densified-refuse derived
fuel and cement kiln fuel are based on the results of surveys
targeting industry associations.
・・With respect to domestic waste, figures for blast furnace raw
materials, coke-oven chemical materials, gasification, andliquefaction approved as product recycling methods by theContainers and Packaging Recycling Law are based on data
released by The Japan Containers And Packaging Recycling
Association.
With
respect to industrial waste, these figures are based on the・results of questionnaires.

・ This figure is calculated by an estimation system developed by
PWMI based on usage quantities by demand-generating fields
and by resin type (usage quantities have been calculated
annually from 1976) and on product lifetimes by demandgenerating fields (using a PWMI 60-year discharge model).
・ Since the export of used automobiles affects the amount ofplastic waste in Japan, corrections are made to plastic waste
discharge in the transport industry. Here, the number of usedautomobiles is based on “number of post-use automobiles”
issued by JAMA and the number of exported used automobiles
is based on data released by Japan Automobile Dealers
Association (JADA).
・ Discharge ratios for domestic waste and industrial waste havebeen estimated using a PWMI discharge model by demandgenerating fields.

2-2 Production and processing waste discharge
・ Amount of resin production waste is not included in amount of resin
production, and amount of resin production waste and amount of resin
processing waste are estimated using each predefined waste ratio.

2-3 Total plastic waste discharge・ (total plastic waste discharge) = (post-use products discharge) +(resin production waste) + (resin processing waste)

2-4 Breakdown of total plastic waste discharge by resin
type
・ These breakdown figures were estimated from amounts of postuse products discharge, production and processing waste
discharge, resin production, etc.

3-3 Disposal and recovery of domestic waste
・ Incineration/landfilling ratio
This ratio is determined from the results of past PWMI surveys
based on the “FY2013 Nation Survey on the State of Discharge
and Treatment of Municipal Solid Waste” of the Ministry of theEnvironment.
・ Incineration with power generation / incineration with heatutilization“Incineration
with power generation” means incineration
・
processing by an incinerator equipped with power-generation
facilities and “incineration with heat utilization” means
incineration processing by an incinerator that, while notequipped with power-generation facilities, has facilities forutilizing heat externally. The ratios shown are determined by
PWMI surveys based on values released by the Ministry of theEnvironment.

3-4 Disposal and recovery of industrial waste(3) Disposal and recovery
3-1 Mechanical recycling
・ Figures for the mechanical recycling of domestic plastic waste
are based on the weight of collected PET bottles (The Council
for PET Bottle Recycling) and weight of collected white trays(Japan Plastic Food Container Industry Association), andfigures for the mechanical recycling of other plastic containers
and packaging are based on data released by The Japan
Containers And Packaging Recycling Association. Residual
amounts after the mechanical recycling of other plastic
containers and packaging will be allocated to densified-refuse
derived fuel and other items using as coefficients figures
released by The Japan Containers and Packaging Recycling
Association.
・ Total figures and breakdowns for the mechanical recycling of

・ D i s p o s a l a n d r e c ove r y o f i n d u s t r i a l wa s t e i s p a r t i a l l ycommissioned to local governments as business-related waste.
The ratio of such processing by business operators to thatcommissioned to local governments is determined on the basis
of PWMI surveys. The percentage breakdown of commissioned
processing into incineration with power generation, incineration
with heat utilization facility, incineration without power
generation or heat utilization facility, and landfilling is based on
figures for domestic waste processing.
・ The incineration/landfilling ratio in the processing of industrial
waste is based on the latest survey conducted by PWMI in fiscal
year 2013. The energy recovery rate in incineration by power
generation, etc. is taken to be the same as the results of previous
surveys conducted by PWMI in fiscal years 2006/2008.
・ Figtures for incineration with power generation includes plastic
waste traded for a price.

PWMI Newsletter 3

Flowchart of plastic products,
plastic waste and resource recovery
2014[ Unit; kt（thousand tons）]
Resin production, resin processing, and marketing of products

Discharge❶
Resinproduction

Resinexport10,6103,520
Resin
import2,630❷
Domestic
plastic products
consumption

9,770

Domestic Plastic
input

Use

9,550

Post-use
products
discharge

8,530

Note 3

Product
export810❸

pl

Product
import1,970
Liquidresin,etc.

810
Resin
processing
waste

550

Production
andProcessing
waste

Non-use

Production
andProcessing
waste discharge

720
Note 1Resinproduction
waste

170
Reclaimed
products

250

Note 2

Note 1: Resin production does not include the quantity shown for resin production waste
Note 2: The quantity shown this year for reclaimed products is based on that of mechanicalrecycling from the previous year (2,030 kt) excluding exported portion (1,680 kt) andthe amount used for fiber from PET bottles (90 kt).
Note 3: The figure for post-use products discharge is computed by a PWMI estimation system
based on usage for different demand areas and different resin types (from 1976) andproduct lifetimes for different demand areas (60-years discharge model created by
PWMI).
Note 4: Some figures may not exactly match due to rounding.
※ ❶〜❻ corresponds to the graph of next page.

4

720Disposal and recovery

Domestic waste
Mechanical recycling

650
Liquefaction, gasification, blast furnace

270❹

Domestic
waste

4,420

Densified-refuse derived fuel /cement material and fuelt

280

340
4%

Incineration without power generationor heat utilization facility

Densified-refuse
derived fuel /cement material
and fuelt

270

Industrial waste
Mechanical recycling

1,340
Liquefaction, gasification, blast furnace80
Densified-refuse derived fuel /cement material and fuelt

1,260

Industrial
waste

4,830

1,990
22%

2,000

Landfilling❺

recycling

Incineration withheat utilization facility

660

9,260

※6
❻MechanicalLiquefaction,
gasification,
blast furnace

Incineration with power generation

300

Total
lastic waste
discharge

Sum of waste

Incineration with power generation

960

1,540
17%

Incineration
with power
generation

Incineration
with heatutilization facility

840
9%Incineration
without power
generation or heatutilization facility

910
10%
Landfilling

Incineration without power
generation or heat utilization facility

670
7%

250

7,680
83%

2,960
32%

Incineration withheat utilization facility

540

Utilized
plastic waste

Non-utilized
plastic waste

1,580
17%

Landfilling

410

PWMI Newsletter 5

Details of flowchart elements（unit：kt（thousant tons））❶ Breakdown of resin production(10,610kt) by resin type

❷ Breakdown of resin products by field(9,770kt)
Others 540 5.5%

Thermosetting
resin
950
920
Polyethylene
8.9%
8.6%
2,640
Other
24.9%
thermoplastic
resin
2,060

19.5%

Agriculture,
forestry and fishery
Household160 1.7%
articles,etc.
890

9.1%

Containers andpackaging
3,990

Transportation
1,180

12.1%

Thermoplastic
resin

Polystyrene
91.4% Polypropylene(including SAN, ABS)
2,350
1,160
22.1%
11.0% Polyvinylchloride
1,480

40.9%

Building materials
1,220

12.5%

13.9%

Electric andmachinery
1,790

18.3%

❸ Breakdown of total plastic waste by field and resin type (9,260 kt)
Production andprocessing waste
720
Others
7.8%
530

Others
2,080

5.7%

22.5%
Building
materials
720 7.7%
Householdarticles,etc.
900

9.7%

Containers andpackaging
4,110

Post-use
products

44.4%

92.2%

Polyethylene
3,090

33.4%
Polyvinylchloride
800

8.6%

Polystyrene(including SAN, ABS) Polypropylene
2,140
1,140 12.4%

Electric andmachinery
1,670

23.1%

18.0%
Transportration
460 5.0%
Agriculture,forestry and fishery 150 1.6%
(by field)(by resin type)❹ Breakdown of domestic(general) waste
by field (4,420 kt)
Agriculture,
forestry and fishery
0 0.1%

Transportration

0 0.0%

Householdarticles,etc. Production and
110
processing waste
2.2%
720
Others
14.9%
260 5.5%

Others260

6.0%Householdarticles,etc.
790❺ Breakdown of industrial waste by field(4,830 kt)

Containers andpackaging
3,050

17.9%

Transportation
460

9.6%

68.9%

Electric
and machinery
240 5.5%
Building materials 70

6Building
materials
640

13.3%

1.6%

Agriculture,
forestry and fishery 150

3.1%

Electric andmachinery
1,430

29.6%

Containers
and packaging
1,060

21.9%

❻ Breakdown of mechanical recycling (1,990 kt)○ Breakdown of mechanical recycling resources and resin type

Production andprocessing waste
720

36.3%

PET resin indesignated PET bottle
490

Polypropylene
430

21.6%

24.8%

Post-use products
1,270

63.8%

Polyethylene
360

Others340(containing 650 kt ofpost-use products
from domestic waste)

17.9%

16.9%

Polyvinylchloride
220

11.1%
Polystyrene(including SAN, ABS)
160 7.8%○ Breakdown of post-use products for mechanical recycling (1,270 kt)

470

PET bottles

230

Wrapping film

170

Home electric-appliancehousings, etc
Agricultural plastics

80

Expanded polystyrene
packing material, etc

70Electric-wirecovering material

70
60Containers and the like40

Automobile parts

20

Pipes, etc.
Expandedpolystyrene trays

10

Non-PET bottles

1050

Others
0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

100

110

120

130

140

150

160

170

180

190

200

210

220

230

240

460

470

480

[ thousand tons ](by type of reclaimed products)

Recycled products
600

30.0%

Recycled material
1,390

70.0%

(by destination of recycling use)

Domestic
400

20.0%

Export1,510

75.6%
Domestic Fiber(from PET bottles) 90 4.4%

PWMI Newsletter 7

Plastics production and waste discharge
Year

Resin
production

Domestic plastic
products
consumption

Total plastic
waste
discharge

kt /yearkt /yearkt /yearDomestic waste

Industrial waste

kt /year%kt /year

%

1980

7,520

5,520

3,260

1,780

55

1,470

45

1985

9,230

6,990

4,190

2,320

55

1,870

45

1990

12,630

9,990

5,570

3,130

56

2,440

44

1995

14,030

9,790

8,840

4,430

50

4,410

50

1996

14,66010,810

9,090

4,550

50

4,540

50

1997

15,21011,360

9,490

4,780

50

4,710

50

1998

13,910

10,200

9,840

4,990

51

4,850

49

1999

14,57010,810

9,760

4,860

50

4,900

50

2000

14,74010,980

9,970

5,080

51

4,890

49

2001

13,88010,96010,160

5,280

52

4,890

48

2002

13,850

10,570

9,900

5,080

51

4,820

49

2003

13,98011,01010,010

5,130

51

4,880

49

2004

14,46011,360

10,130

5,190

51

4,940

49

2005

14,51011,59010,060

5,200

52

4,860

48

2006

14,450

11,20010,050

5,080

51

4,980

50

2007

14,65011,030

9,940

5,020

51

4,920

49

2008

13,45010,890

9,980

5,020

50

4,960

50

2009

11,210

8,430

9,120

4,440

49

4,680

51

2010

12,700

9,700

9,450

4,590

49

4,860

51

2011

11,590

9,870

9,520

4,650

49

4,860

51

2012

10,540

9,600

9,290

4,460

48

4,820

52

2013

10,600

9,660

9,400

4,540

48

4,860

52

2014

10,610

9,770

9,260

4,420

48

4,830

52
8

PWMI-no45-p8-9-01.indd 8

16.3.10 7:25:12 PM

Change in Utilized Plastic Waste
by Amount and Rate Over Time
2001

2002

2003

2004

10,1609,900

10,010Utilization
amount
(kt)

5,130

5,160

Utilizationrate(%)

50

52

Year
Total Plastic
waste
discharge
(kt)

2005

2006 2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

10,130 10,060

10,050

9,940

9,980

9,120

9,450

9,520

9,290

9,400

9,260

5,410

5,750

5,820

6,880

6,920

7,330

6,890

7,230

7,440

7,440

7,670

7,680

54

57

58

69

69

73

75

77

78

80

82

83

100

12000

11000

10000

90

9000

8000

80

70

6000

5000

︵％︶
utilization rate

︵ kt︶
Disposal and recovery

7000

60

4000

3000

50

2000

1000
40

0
2001

2002

Machanical Recycle

2003

2004

2005

Feedstock Recycle

2006

2007

2008

Energy Recovery

2009

2010

Incineration＊

2011

2012

Landfilling

2013

2014

Utilization rate

＊Incineration without power genaration or heat utilization facility

9

PWMI-no45-p8-9-01.indd 9

16.3.10 7:25:51 PM

Business Overview
History

its accuracy

Vinyl Environmental Council

Originally founded in December 1971

PWMI strives to obtain a clear

as the Plastic Management Researchunderstanding of the entire lifecycle ofSupporting members
Japan PET Bottle Association

A s s o c i a t i o n , t h e P l a s t i c Wa s t eplastic from its production stage to its

Japan Expanded Polystyrene Recycling

Management Institute (PWMI) received

disposal and R&R and to prepare andAssociation

its current name in July of the following

provide a highly accurate flowchart of thisJapan PVC Environmental Affairs Council

year as operations expanded. For the lastprocess.

40 years or so, PWMI has endeavored to(3) Support of environmental education

Directors
Chairman: Toshio Asano

research and develop technology for the

PWMI continues to hold instructor

optimal processing and effective use of

training courses and on-site classes andExecutive Director: Hisao Ida

plastic waste and to publicize its findings.

works to raise the level of consciousness

Directors: 10

In addition, PWMI re-defined its mission

in society regarding the usefulness of

Auditors: 2

in April 2013 as Through conducting

plastic. In addition to holding on-site

researches relating to cyclical use ofclasses on plastic R&R at primary andplastic aiming to contribute to the

middle schools especially in Japan’s Kanto

reduction of environmental impact throughregion, PWMI will honor as much as

the life cycle of plastic, PWMI wellpossible requests for instructor training

contribute to the construction of acourses in line with new teachingsustainable society as well as healthy

guidelines and for lectures at universities

development of plastic related industries.

specializing in environmental science.

Business Content

Members (as of January 2016)(1)LCA based study on environmental

Regular members: 17 corporations and 3

impact of plastic and its products.

organizations(2)Research and study relating to cyclicalSupporting members: 3 organizations

use of plastic, generation of plastic waste
etc.

Regular members
Asahikasei Chemicals Corporation(3)Enhancing public awareness and

DuPont-Mitsui Polychemicals Co. Ltd.

supporting school education about plastic.

Japan Polyethylene CorporationVice-Chairman: Kenichi Udagawa

Organization
General Meeting

Auditors

Board of Directors

Vice-Ch

Steering Committee

Activities
The three core activities of PWMI are

JNC
Corporation
GeneralMeeting

AuditorsCommittee on Surveys
and ResearchCommittee on Public
Relations andEducational Support

Chairman

Advisors

Kaneka Corporation
Maruzen Petrochemical Co., Ltd.
Board of Directors
NUC
Corporation(LCA) base data and LCA evaluation ofPrime Polymer Co., Ltd.

recycling & recovery (R&R) technologies.

Shin Dai-Ichi Vinyl Corporation
Steering Committee

PWMI provides scientific and high-Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

reliability data for widespread use by

Sumitomo Chemical Co.,Committee
Ltd. onrelated industries and general citizens for

SunAllomer Ltd.

application to carbon footprint systems,

Taiyo Vinyl Corporation
Committee on Surveys

etc. It also works to solve technical issues

Tosoh Corp.

so that the effective use of plastic waste

Tokuyama Sekisui Co., Ltd.

can be evaluated by LCA.

Ube-Maruzen Polyethylene
Co.,andLtd.
Relations(2) Preparation of the Flowchart of Plastic
Products, Plastic Waste and Resource

Trade organizations
Japan Petrochemical Industry Association

Recovery and ongoing improvements toJapan Plastics Industry FederationVice-Chairman

Executive Director

General Affairs
Secretary Generaland ResearchCommittee on Public
Educational Support

Plastic Waste Management Institute10

Committee on
General Affairs

Japan Polypropylene Corporation(1) Provision of life cycle assessment

April 2016 700

Executiv

Secretarsummarized below.

Web site: http://www.pwmi.or.jp

Chai

General Affairs and Public
Relations Department
Surveys and Research
Department

KAYABACHO SQUARE BLDG.9F 3-7-6 Nihonbashi-Kayabacho,Chuo-ku, Tokyo 103-0025 Japan
Tel: 81-3-6855-9175~7, Fax: 81-3-5643-8447