Thus, the indicators of the Material flow have been showing satisfactory values overall in recent years. If this tendency can be maintained, it is highly possible to achieve the targets by FY2010 as planned. However, we also see many undesirable statuses in the Material flow at present, including the high levels of “Total material input” and “Input of natural resources, etc.,” imbalance between input (resources, products, etc.) and output and the low level of “Recycled and reused amount.” In order for us to correct those undesirable statuses to accomplish the above-mentioned targets of the respective indicators, it is important to promote our 3R efforts.

Regarding the present status of our efforts of recycling and reuse (as of FY2004), a total of 605 million tons of wastes were generated annually, of which 247 millions entered into a material cycle including reuse and recycling, and 238 million tons were through waste-minimization procedures, including incineration and dehydration. Of the total amount recycled or reused, 2 million tons were reused, in the form of the reuse of returnable bottles for beer, milk, etc., the reuse of tires and other.

## (2) Current status of wastes generation

Since FY1989, Japan has been generating municipal solid waste at an annual volume of approximately 50 million tons or more. These annual volumes of municipal solid waste have been showing a continuous downward trend since FY2000. In FY2004, of all municipal solid waste, direct incineration accounted for 77.5%, while recycling accounted for 19.0%. The final volume disposed of at landfill sites was 8.09 million tons, a decrease of 360,000 tons from the previous year.

The total volume of industrial waste generated in Japan has also remained steady over the last few years. The volume was approximately 417 million tons in FY2004, up 1.3% from the previous fiscal year. Approximately 26 million tons was registered as final disposal volume in FY2004, registering a decrease of about 4 million tons from the previous fiscal year.

Nationally there is a lack of disposal capacity, with final disposal

Figure 5-4-3: Changes in the Volume of Industrial Waste Generated

Notes: (*1) The 1996 data indicate the waste volume in FY1996, as defined in the “Target of Waste Reduction” (government decision, September 28, 1999). In the “Target of Waste Reduction,” the government aims to achieve its targets at the latest in FY2010 based on the “Basic Policy for Dioxin Measures,” which was decided by the Ministerial Meeting on Anti-Dioxin Measures.

(*2) The amount of waste from FY1997 onward was calculated using the same calculation approach as *1 above.

Source: Compiled from the Ministry of the Environment, State of the Generation and Treatment of Industrial Waste

Figure 5-4-4: Changes in Total Volume of Municipal Solid Wastes and Waste Volume Generated per Person per Day

Notes: “Total volume of municipal solid waste generated” = “volume of wastes collected” + “volume of wastes directly brought in” + “self disposal volume” In accordance with the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law, the government setup “Basic Guidelines for the Comprehensive and Systematic Promotion of Waste Reduction Measures and Other Appropriate Treatments.” According to these Basic Guidelines, total volume of municipal solid waste is defined as “total volume of municipal solid waste generated” less “self disposal volume” plus “recyclable waste volume collectible by groups.” The amount of municipal solid wastes (as defined above) stood at 53,380,000 tons in FY2004.

Source: Ministry of the Environment