Cooperative Group
Collection Survey Results
June 2012
Japan Steel Can Recycling Association
ＨＰ：http://www.steelcan.jp
Ｅｍａｉｌ：http://steelcan.jp

 Established： April 1973
 Aim： To contribute to society through the promotion of environmental

beautification and steel can recycling.
 Members： Steel producers, can manufacturers, steel distributing companies<In total 12 companies>
 Chairman：Role assumed by Successive Representative Director and Executive
Vice President of Nippon Steel ＜Main Activities＞~ To perform research, experiments, and studies, and todisseminate and raise public awareness regarding waste in collaboration withmunicipalities, corporations and academia (1973~)
 To perform research, experiments, and studies, and to disseminate and raise
public awareness regarding sorting, collection and recycling (1975 ~) Hold Studies concerning Resource Circulation Systems (1976 ~) Overseas Research (1974 ~) To support recycling facilities of the municipalities (1991~)

2 １．Law for the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers andPackaging (1995)
Constraints of the final landfill site

Waste Reduction

Effective Utilization of Resources ２． Revision to the Law for the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling ofContainers and Packaging (2006)●Promotion of a recycling–oriented society●Promotion of coordination and collaboration between the consumer,
municipalities and business operators●Streamlining social costs⇒The consumer, municipality and business operators should, throughcoordination and collaboration, promote diverse collection routes

Status Survey on Collective Collection,2005 ～20093

Hokkaido
3 Municipalities
Surveyed
Municipalities
Total 44
Municipalities

Tohoku4 Municipalities

Chubu
10 Municipalities
Chugoku
2 Municipalities

Kyushu2 Municipalities

Kanto
17 Municipalities
Kinki
5 Municipalities

Shikoku
1 Municipality4 １）History of resources and waste collection
 ２）Relationship between collection by local authorities
and group collections ３）Current status of group collection ４）Characteristics of enforcement

organizations
 ５） Characteristics of recycling operators ６） Characteristics of public administrations

October 2010
Publication of the “Group
Collection Manual”

51700s：A Reusing and Recycling Society
1900s～2000s：Recycler, Collector, Yoseya
householdrecycler
YoseyaDirect deliverer

Paper manufacturercollector
Shopping area(malls, buildings)
Special recycler
Large scale waste discharging
area (super market, department
stores)
Large scale waste discharging
area (factories, publishers,
newspaper companies)

Waste
Paper
Collector

Waste paper
collector

Waste
Paper
Collection
Route in the
1960s

Waste was recycled by theprivate sector6 1945～：Vitalization of Waste Recycling－Carried out at schools and children’s groups

Introduction of separated refuse collection and thewaste reduction movement in Tokyo－Separation between “food waste” and “other waste” (1947)－Group collection as part of the reduction movement (1955)

 1955～1975：

The collapse of the resources recycling system within
the private sector－Change of lifestyle/transformation of the social structure

Waste management shifts from theprivate sector to the government7

 1970s：Shift to collection by the government－”Burnable”, ”Non-burnable”, ”Recyclable” 3 type collection
begins in Numazu city (1975) 1990s：Collection by the government becomes established
due to a sharp fall in waste paper prices- Promotion of waste paper collection due to the revision of the
Law Concerning Waste Disposal and Scavenging→ Excessive supply leads to inverse onerous contract

 1995：Law for Promotion of Sorted Collection
and Recycling of Containers and Packaging－The first Act Governing Individual Incorporated
Administrative Agencies－The Basic Law for Establishing the Recycling-based Society
Review of private sector collection, establishing the division ofroles between the consumer, the municipalities and business owner⇒ First adoption of producer responsibility
8Percentage of Collection by Item (FY 2010)

Percentage of Group Collection (FY 2010)
Do not fully understandNotcarrying it
out 16.1%

Paper
packagingContainersetc.

PET bottles

Returnablebottles

Scraps of iron

Steel cans

Aluminium cans

Used cloth

Newspaper/magazines/

cardboard boxes

Carrying
it outCollection by local authorities (702 wards
and cities)
Group Collection (561 wards and cities)

Group collection is common with waste paper
and used clothes, while with other items thepercentage is higher for governmental
collection

Approximately 80%
carry out groupcollection
9

The 3 Relationships Between Collection by
Local Authorities and Group Collection
Ranking of Group Collection (FY 2019)

The relationship can be classified into 3 patterns

No reply

Not soimportant① Group collection as a supplement
to collection by local authorities

other

Main
SystemCurrently the most common pattern②Group collection as the main system

Supplement to
the Collection by
Local Authority

Increasing trend③ No importance on group collection10

 2 patterns whereby the (A) enforcement

What is the relationship between themunicipality, the enforcement
organization and the collection trader?

organization and the (B) municipality obtains
the proceeds from the sale
 Pattern (B) is relatively new with highfinancial incentives※Can be positioned as a risk hedge when
there is a sharp downturn in the market

Municipality
al
pos
D is
e
Pric
(B)

n
atio
niz

nt
Gra

ga
Or

Re
g
i
s
tra
tion

Subsidy/
In-kindAid

DisposalPrice (A)
Enforcement
Organization

Waste Collector
Resources

 In the past, the relationship between theenforcement organization and the collection
trader was strong. In recent years themunicipality has a stronger involvement in the
promotion of group collection.

11

The Trend of Group Collection Implementation＜Overview of details of the 2010 Survey＞
・Survey was carried out between June～July 2010
・Target area ：Municipal governments in Japan including 23 wards in Tokyo (in total 790
municipal authorities)※ With the exclusion of 19 cities affected by the Eastern Japan earthquake
・The number of municipalities that have responded：704 municipal authorities (Response
rate: 89.1%)(Coverage rate of the population: 83.1% of the overall population)

 Approximately 80% of the municipal authorities arecarrying out group collection as a business activity
FY 2010
FY 2009
FY 2008
FY 2007
FY 2006
FY平成17年度
2005
平成22年度
平成21年度
平成20年度
平成19年度
平成18年度Wards& cities
Wards&
citiesWards&
citiesWards&
citiesWards & cities
区市数
％
区市数
％
区市数
％
区市数
％
区市数
％
区市数
％
561
79.7
578
81.4
593
80.7
561
79.8
560
79.7
567
80.1

Wards & cities

Carrying it out
実施しているNot carrying it out
実施していない

113

16.1

109

15.4

111

15.1

109

15.5

109

15.5

109

15.4

No understanding
把握していない

30

4.3

22

3.1

27

3.7

28

4.0

31

4.4

27

3.8

0

0.0

1

0.1

4

0.5

5

0.7

3

0.4

5

0.7

704

100.0

710

100.0

735

100.0

703

100.0

703

100.0

708

100.0

other
その他
Number of Local Authorities that
回答自治体数
responded

12

Items for Group Collection
 Waste paper, old clothes, aluminum cans are the mostcommon items
 Over half are dealing with steel cans
Newspapers,
magazines cardboard
boxes

Used clothing

・PET bottles are also showing an
increase from 12.1%→20.3％

Alminium cans
Steel cans

※ The industry has historically been
supportive of aluminum can group collections Scraps if iron
※ The group collection of steel cans
Returnable
will also be promoted from now onbottles
PET bottles
FY2010
Containers, etc.
FY2006
Paper packaging,
etc.

13

The Status of Government Involvement
FY2010FY2006■Majority of municipalities pay out incentives
to organizations
Increase from77％⇒94％■Increasing trend in PR publicity activities→More and more municipalities arestrengthening their group collection efforts

Payment of financial
incentives toorganizations

PR and promotion
activities

Payment of subsidies todealers
FY 2007
FY 2009
FY 2006
FY 2008
FY 2010
平成22年度
平成21年度
平成20年度
平成19年度
平成18年度Wards & cities
Wards&
citiesWards&
citiesWards&
cities％％％％％
区市数 割合％区市数 割合％区市数 割合％区市数 割合％区市数 割合％
529
94.3
537
92.9
553
93.3
512
91.3
433
77.3
259
46.2
251
43.4
242
40.8
226
40.3
218
38.9
154
27.5
160
27.7
166
28.0
150
26.7
129
23.0
125
22.3
126
21.8
125
21.1
113
20.1
116
20.7
60
10.7
57
9.9
58
9.8
53
9.4
57
10.2
46
8.2
45
7.8
47
7.9
45
8.0
46
8.2
13
2.3
15
2.6
18
3.0
21
3.7
14
2.5
12
2.1
20
3.5
22
3.7
24
4.3
74
13.2
561
578
593
561
560
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
100.0
Wards & cities

Payment of financial incentives to organizations
団体への奨励金交付
PR and promotion activities
PRや広報の実施
Payment of subsidies to dealers
業者への補助金交付
Encouraging organizations
団体への働きかけ
Providing Collection Equipment
回収用具の提供
ProvideCoordination
コーディネートの実施
Others
その他
Unknown
不明
Total Local Authorities that Responded
回答自治体数14

Incentives

Fiscal Year 2010

Comparison of involvement
by region■Incentive payment to organizations
The rate of payment is high■Subsidy to dealers

SubsidiesPR &promotions

Hokkaido (30)

Tohoku (38)

Kanto (153)

Hokuriku (32)

Chubu (98)

Rates in Kanto, Hokkaido and Tohoku
are relatively high■PR and promotion activities

Kinki (91)

Chugoku (40)

Actively carried out in Tohoku, Kinki,
Kanto and Hokkaido

Shikoku (17)Kyushu/Okinawa (62)15

① Incentive and Subsidy Amount●Incentive (Municipality→Enforcement Organizations)・Rate is mostly ３～７ JPY/kg・For the continuity of group collection when the incentive amount ishigh, the sales proceed is paid to the municipality to absorb thechange in market conditions.

● Subsidy (Municipality→ Waste Collector）
Price Distribution of Subsidies and Grants (FY2010)

・Rate is mostly under ３JPY/kg
・Mainly paid to subsidize fuelcosts to help offset the
impact of a slowdown
in the market.

Incentive (529)
Subsidy (154)

Under 3yen

3 - 5 yen

5 - 7 yen

7 - 10 yen

Over 10yen

16

② Conducting PR and promotion activities
What are the tools used to promote group collection?

● PR using public relation magazines andwebsites●Briefing sessions・workshops
Other tools may include providing information
Implementation of PR and promotion activities (FY2008)

and offering products.

Public relations
magazines, etc.

HP
Seminars
Regional Information
magazines
Others17

Example of a PR
activity① Utilizing a
websiteEbetsu City,
Hokkaido

Website reproduced courtesy ofEbetsu City
http://www.city.ebetsu.hokkaido.j
p/gomi/07recycle/07syudan.ht
ml18

Yokohama City＜Introduction of collection dates andenforcement organizations＞
Website reproduced courtesy of Yokohama City
http://www.city.yokohama.jp/me/pcpb/info/gen/how/area.html
19

Kokubunji City
＜List of Garbage
Collectors＞

Website reproduced courtesy of
Kokubunji City
http://www.city.kokubunji.tokyo.jp/gomi/
5768/005043.html
20

Example of ＰＲ② Workshop
Akashi City, Hyogo Prefecture
Workshop Details(Examples)
Speech on groupcollection
Quiz on classification
rulesAward for the bestgroup
Report on activities
of enforcement
organizations
etc.

21

Example ＰＲ③Creating a Guidebook
Edogawa City, Tokyo

Website reproduced courtesy of
Edogawa City
http://202.250.75.57/kurashi/gomi/
gomigenryo/shudankaishu/

22

Example of Promotional Products＜Placard for Collection Sites＞←Hachioji City

↑Kamagaya
City
23

＜Collection
Containers etc.＞↑NakanoCity←MatsudoCity

24

Transition of Group Collection
Group Collection among a private circle ⇒Cooperative
Group Collection
・Decrease due to law revision in 1970
・Decrease due to the changes in market

Disposal Price

Enforcement
Organization

conditions and the living environment
Waste Collector

Resources

Cooperation among
consumers, municipalities
and businesses

rice
al P
pos
Dis
(B)

atio
n

n
atio
niz

nt
Gr a

ga
Or

Subsidy, Inkind Aid

Re
gis
tr

・As a local revitalization method
・Increase in take-up as a social
cost reduction measure (costreduction of between one thirdand one tenth)Municipality

Disposal Price (A)Enforcement
Organization

Waste Collector
Resources25

What is a Cooperative Group Collection？
The level of being
private-sector-driven
High

CooperativeGroup
Collection
High

Low

Public Authority
Waste Collection(separated
collection)

Non-sorted/ separate at
facilities（burnable/non-burnable)

The level of being
public-authority-driven

Conventional
Group Collection

Low
Reference: “Research/ Study on the Possibility of Waste Recycling Led by the Private Sector” 2007 Report(Japan Steel Can Recycling Association)

26

Tailored to each region, citizens, municipalities and recycling
companies, respect each other’s roles and cooperate with one anotherin order to achieve a social goal of waste reduction and recycling.

27

What is the aim of Cooperative
Group Collection？
１．System Efficiency Improvement◆Social cost reduction◆Improvement of the quality ofresources
２．Revitalization of the regional
community
３．Raising environmental awareness28

Cost Comparison of Collection by
Local Authorities and Group
Collection
Collection by local

行政回収Authorities¥

Group Collection
集団回収

city
A 市

120円/kg¥

12円/kg¥city
B 市

91円/kg¥18円/kg¥city
C 市

72円/kg¥45円/kg¥city
D 市

30円/kg¥12円/kg¥city
E 市

24円/kg
¥

¥
6円/kg

city
F 市

28.5円/kg¥

3.3円/kg¥

Although a direct comparison cannot be made,the cost of group collection is calculated to beapproximately one tenth to a half of the costof collection by local authorities.
29

The Advantages of Group Collection (FY 2009)

Enhancement of Environmental
Awareness
Revitalization of the Community

Reduction in seperated Waste
Collection
Increase in the Value of Resources
OthersThe 3 advantages of cooperative
group collection is acknowledged
from survey results.
30

The “Core” of Group Collection
Neighbourhood community associations, PTAs, kid’s clubs, senior citizen’s clubs andapartment management associations, etc. Traditionally, the core was the kid’s club but
due to the drop in birth rates, this role has been taken over by neighbourhood community
associations and senior citizen’s clubs.
Subsidy, Grant Payment,
Promotional Merchandize,Publicity, Encouragement,
Coordination, Creating a List ofSales Agents, Organizatione(
B)

Donation of
Resources

ric

Publicity, Management ofCollection Points, Instruction and
Selection of Waste seperation,
Assistance in Loading

In the cities, a sudden increasein management associations.

lP
sa
po
Dis

n
atio
niz

atio
n

Enforcement
Organization

nt
Gr a

ga
Or

R
egi
str

Subsidy, Inkind Aid

Municipality

DisposalPrice (A)
Waste Collector
Resources
Collection/
Measurement

Citizens
Cooperation inseperation/
Disposal

31How to ensure the continuity of enforcement
organizations
 Provide a division of roles to avoid a heavy workload on aminority of members
 Encourage the involvement of young people Adopt collection methods that are realistic
 Ensure the local residents have full awareness andencourage their involvement in waste separation etc.
 Payment of incentives, etc. and provision of informationby the government
 Continuous encouragement by the government towards
enforcement organizations
 Implement inverse onerous contract measures
32

Collection at collection points (1 ～ several
points) is common, however in some regions thewaste collectors carry out curbside collection
services (for example Matsudo city, Ebetsu city)
Subsidy, Grant Payment,
Promotional Merchandize,Publicity, Encouragement,
Coordination, Creating a List ofSales Agents, Organization

Municipality(B)

Donation of
Resources

rice
al P
pos
Dis

Enforcement
Organization

nt
Gr a

DisposalPrice (A)

n
atio
niz

atio
n

Publicity, Management ofCollection Points, Instruction and
Selection of Waste seperation,
Assistance in Loading

ga
Or

Re
gis
tr

Subsidy, Inkind Aid

Waste Collector
Resources
Collection/
Measurement

Citizens
Cooperation inseperation/
Disposal

33

Challenges Facing Collection
Activities
 Transparency of the measuring of collectedwaste Compliance with mixed transportation
 Temporary operations by contractors outside of
the city
 Some cases end up in negative value due tomarket evaluation
 In some regions only a few contractors have theability to comply with the collection of several
items

34

Current status of picking and carrying away of
waste
Implementation of Countermeasuresagainst picking and carrying away
(FY2009)

・Picking and carrying away ofwaste resources occurs
Have laid down the regulation
in some regions.
Implemented measures
・Cooperative collection
measures are rare in Picking and carrying is occurring but
no measures have been takenthese regions.

Picking and carrying does

Many local authorities use not occur
cooperative collection as thecountermeasure against
picking.
＜Effective countermeasures＞（corporate）watch guard, storage in a private
property.
（local authority) labeling to identify ownership,collaboration with police, patrol etc.

others

Details of the Countermeasures against
picking and carrying way (FY2009)

patrolSetting up
signs
Displaying the signs
on Designatedcollection vehicles

Setting up
surveillancecameras35

Local authorities can be categorized into two types:（Ａ）The local authority intervenes between the corporate entities and contractors
to establish a system.
（Ｂ）The local authority only provides support for collection works.
Subsidy, Grant Payment,
Promotional Merchandize,Publicity, Encouragement,
Coordination, Creating a List ofSales Agents, Organization

Donation of
Resources

Citizens(B)

Enforcement
Organization

rice
al P
pos
Dis

DisposalPrice (A)

nt
Gr a

n
atio
niz

atio
n

Publicity, Management ofCollection Points, Instruction and
Selection of Waste seperation,
Assistance in Loading

ga
Or

Re
gis
tr

Subsidy, Inkind Aid

Municipality

Waste Collector
Resources
Collection/
Measurement
Cooperation inseperation/ Disposal

36

How do you provide incentives forcooperative group collection？
 Provide financial incentives
 Commendation system for collected volume andperformance periods
 Publicize ranking lists of the collected volume

Data appears courtesy of Kumamoto City

37

Kamagaya
City

Collection using acollection point38

Kamagaya
City

Bicycles alsocome under items
for collection

39

KumamotoCity

Sorting and handing
over in an open area

40

KumamotoCity

Sorting out
empty cans

41Hachioji
City

Sorting out at the
Town Hall42

Hachioji
City

Assisting with theloading

43

Tama
City

A collection point ofan example
cooperative groupcollection
44

Tama
City

Notice board at acollection point

45

MatsudoCity

Collection outside ahouse (individual
curbside collection) 46

MatsudoCity

Storage point(for a detached house)

47

Gifu
City

Displaying of namesigns according to48
item typeGifu City

Collection at
the edge of a
park

49

Kani
City

Collection at an Eco-Dome
50

Kani
City

Guidance by staff on
itemized sorting51

NishioCity

Collection in aschoolyard

52

NishioCity

Unloading fromthe car andseparation

53

Nishio City

Completion of thecollection activity

54

The advantages of cooperative group collection according to survey
results include:① Enhances the awareness of local residents on environmental
issues.
② Revival of local activities and revitalization of the local community.
③ Raising of environmental awareness among family members andcontribution to relationship building among family members.
④ Reduction of social costs（general waste disposal costs)⑤ Improvement in the value of waste resources
Of the several waste collection measures, the cooperative groupcollection is one of the most beneficial methods, and can be regarded
as an efficient form of collection suitable for the next generation.

55

① Measures to retain residents in the region underfalling birthrates, aging, and declining population.
② Measures to improve the awareness of theresidents regarding environmental issues.
③ The most efficient way while maintaining local
characteristics.
④ Implementing the most effective measures for
local authority to enhance regional distinctiveness.
⑤ The most appropriate incentive measures available.

5657