Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
## Containers and packaging

“Containers and packaging” refers to bottles, cans, PET bottles, and other forms of product container and packaging that become unneeded after the product is consumed. Such containers and packaging account for approximately 60% of all household waste in terms of volume and approximately 20% in terms of weight.

Aiming to reduce waste from such containers and packaging and to promote their effective use as recyclable resources, the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law was enacted in 1995. Efforts are currently underway to build a system for appropriate sorted collection of such containers and packaging as well as their recycling.

## (1) Status of the current system

Ten years have passed since the system was first executed. During this time, sorted collection and recycling of waste containers and packaging has been progressing steadily. For example, the recovery rate for PET bottles, which was 9.8% when the system started in FY1997, had climbed to 46.4% in FY2004.

At the same time, businesses are also making efforts that include reducing their use of packaging. While such efforts have had a certain degree of success in reducing waste from containers and packaging, they are also tied to the innovation of new technologies, such as technologies for recycling old PET bottles into new PET bottles.

## Changes in recovery and usage rates of packages and containers

Source: Ministry of the Environment

(2) Discussion on the review of the Containers and Packaging Law in the Council

With the Fundamental Law for Establishing an SMS providing fundamental principles for the 3Rs was enacted in 2000 and a series of recycling laws were enacted, the construction of an SMS has made progress. Moreover, because the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law was expected to have a review undertaken in its tenth year following its execution, the Central Environmental Council and Industrial Structure Council engaged in repeated and earnest discussions on how the system should be revised. These discussions continued over one and a half years.

Based on the final conclusions of these councils, the government submitted the “Bill for Partial Amendment of the Law for the Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of
Containers and Packaging" to the 164th Diet (enacted on June 15, 2006).

## Home appliances

The Law for Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances (Home Appliances Recycling Law) was enacted in June of 1998. In order to reduce household appliance waste and contribute to the effective use of resources, this law requires manufacturers and others to engage in recycling that meets or exceeds certain standards for four designated items: air conditioners, televisions, refrigerators and freezers, and washing machines. In addition, the law establishes a division of roles under which retailers are obliged to receive these four types of appliances from consumers (waste generators) and to pass them to manufacturers, while consumers are obliged to pay recycling fees (“pay later” system) when they discard such items.

Following the execution of this law, the number of recovered appliances (i.e., the four types of home appliances) has increased year on year, with the total of all four types recovered reaching 11.62 million in FY2004. Furthermore, the recycling rates of recovered appliances greatly exceed the standard set forth under the law.

Electrical home appliance recycling plant

Source: Ministry of the Environment

## Construction materials

For promoting the recycling of construction waste, the Law for the Recycling of Construction Materials (Construction Material Recycling Law) was enacted in May of 2000.

This law requires businesses that undertake construction work meeting certain conditions to engage in sorted demolition of construction waste and its recycling. The law establishes that the recycling rate for three items-concrete, wood building materials, asphalt/concrete-shall be improved to over 95% by FY2010.
## Food

The Law for Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for the Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources (Food Waste Recycling Law) was enacted in June 2000.

The law promotes recycling by food-related businesses (manufacturing, distribution, sales, restaurant operation and catering). In the “Fundamental Policy for Promotion of Recycling and Related Activities for the Treatment of Cyclical Food Resources,” the law establishes that the recycling implementation rate shall be increased to over 20% by FY2006.

## V ehicles

Illegal dumping of end-of-life vehicles is occurring with considerable frequency due to the skyrocketing cost of disposing remnant materials that are generated during the process of the treatment of the vehicles. Such dumping is becoming a major social problem. To address this problem, the Law for the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles (Vehicle Recycling Law) was enacted in July 2002.

The law requires vehicle manufacturers and importers to recycle Freon, airbags, and remnant materials (destruction in the case of Freon). Moreover, as recycling goals, the law establishes that the remnant materials recycling rate shall be over 70% and the airbag recycling rate shall be over 85% by 2015.

##### 1.3. Promoting municipal waste measures, etc., through collaboration between local and central governments

Municipal waste is most familiar to people in their daily lives. With regard to municipal waste, it is extremely important that each stakeholder plays its role under an appropriate division of responsibilities: the central government, which leads the management of the formation and reform of the legal system and other national systems, and local governments, which are familiar with actual conditions in their local societies, the consumers and businesses promoting the 3Rs (from product manufacturing to disposal technology).

##### 1.3.1. Results of proper waste treatment through collaboration between local and central governments

Concerns regarding the generation of dioxins from incineration facilities led to both lawsuits being brought by residents demanding the shutdown of incineration facilities and escalating protests against the construction of such facilities.

In response, a framework for countermeasures was set up that included the establishment of the “Fundamental Guidelines for the Promotion of Measures against Dioxins” in March 1999 as well as enactment of the Law Concerning Special Measures against Dioxins in July 1999. As a result of these approaches, the yearly amount of dioxins discharged from incineration facilities throughout Japan, which was estimated to be approximately 5,000g in FY1997, fell by some 98% to approximately 64g in 2004.
##### 1.3.2. Creating a sound material-cycle regions through collaboration between local and central governments

## Creation of the Block Grant System for Establishing the 3R Society (3R Block Grant)

In past years, the central government provided financial assistance to municipalities that were establishing general waste disposal facilities (waste incineration facilities, etc.) through respective subsidies. However, after discussions between central and local representatives, the government and ruling parties on November 26, 2004 reached an agreement on an overall vision of the Trinity Reform, which is to be achieved by FY2006. Based on this agreement, it was decided that central government subsidies for the establishment of municipal waste treatment facilities would be reformed into block grants, and that the “Block Grant System for Establishing the 3R Society” would be set up from FY2005.

Heretofore, measures to cope with dioxin generated through waste incineration were promoted through national subsidies toward the preparation of municipal waste treatment facilities. However, taking a new approach that involves further promotion of such measures and creation of an SMS at the regional level, the central government will aim to promote the establishment of regional and comprehensive systems and to shift toward the SMS at the regional and the national level utilizing the 3R block grants. It will strive to achieve this goal by actively cooperating with municipalities while at the same time taking advantage of their autonomy, originality and ingenuity.

## Cases of regional efforts to build an SMS at the local level

In FY2005, 87 Regional Plans for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society were approved by the Minister of the Environment. The following is a breakdown of these plans.

Number of “Regional Plans for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (SMS)” approved by the Minister of the Environment (As of March 31, 2006)

Number of piants approved
Hokkaido	6	Saitama	2	Gifu	4	Tottori	0	Saga	0
Aomori	0	Chiba	0	Shizuoka	2	Shimane	1	Nagasaki	1
Iwate	1	Tokyo	2	Aichi	3	Okayama	1	Kumamoto	0
Miyagi	1	Kanagawa	1	Mie	3	Hiroshima	6	Oita	1
Akita	2	Niigata	2	Shiga	1	Yamaguchi	2	Miyazaki	1
Yamagata	0	Toyama	1	Kyoto	1	Tokushima	0	Kagoshima	4
Fukushima	2	Ishikawa	2	Osaka	3	Kagawa	0	Okinawa	5
Ibaraki	2	Fukui	1	Hyogo	7	Ehime	4	Total	87
Tochigi	0	Yamanashi	0	Nara	0	Kochi	2
Gunma	0	Nagano	1	Wakayama	1	Fukuoka	8

Source: Ministry of the Environment
##### 1.3.3. Future approaches

Further promotion of efforts to establish an SMS at the local level.

When attempting to establish an SMS at the local level, efforts promoting reduced consumption of natural resources and environmental burden must be made through appropriate pursuit of reduction, reuse and recycling of total material input, resource extraction, waste output and energy consumption. At the same time, it is necessary to substantiate these efforts in combination with approaches toward the mitigation of climate change.

In particular, because biomass-based waste (such as waste from households) can be utilized as a resource to be recycled in a sustainable manner and serve as a substitute for fossil resources, its utilization as a source of energy should be pursued.

In order to substantiate approaches toward the establishment of an SMS at the local level, municipalities are required to build municipal waste treatment systems based on regional characteristics that cover waste reduction, sorted collection, recycling, heat recovery and final disposal. The central government is currently preparing guidelines and presenting perspectives to municipalities that assist them in smoothly implementing such approaches. These perspectives deal with not only the application of the 3Rs towards waste but also power generation from waste as a means of mitigating climate change, energy recovery (including biomass recovery) and use of biomass.

##### 1.3.4. Formulation of Regional Fundamental Plans for Establishment of an SMS

In the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Fundamental SMS Plan) $ ^{5} $ , each local government is expected to formulate a unique fundamental plan based on regional conditions. This plan is for the purpose of establishing an SMS in the region.

With regard to the formulation of fundamental plans in 47 prefectures and 14 government-designated cities in FY2004, 14 governments have plans prepared (13 governments in FY2003), 23 governments have other plans prepared which cover related content (16 governments in FY2003), and 24 governments have no applicable plan prepared (31 governments in FY2003).

Preparation of fundamental plans to promote a Sound Material-Cycle Society (SMS plan) at local government level

Preparation	Number of local governments	Numerical targets established	Intention to prepare SMS plan
Yes	No
1. Plan prepared	14	10	4	Intend to prepare SMS plan	Intend to prepare other plan covering related content	Not to prepare
2. Other plan prepared which covers related content	23	20	3
3. No applicable plan prepared	24	—	—	6	15	3
Total	61	30	7

Notes: Survey targets: 61 local governments (47 prefectures and 14 government-designated cities)

Source: Documents of SMS planning division of the Central Environmental Council
### 2. Crosscutting approaches that support the three main trends

When promoting approaches in line with the three trends in waste management and recycling measures, it is important that the utilization of scientific technology and the mind to utilize the inherent value of goods be valued among all three trends. The following presents the overview of such crosscutting approaches.

#### 2.1. Promotion of various technical developments

Recycling systems do not simply aim towards recycling; they also strive to promote the entire 3R spectrum, which includes reduction of the generation and the promotion of the reuse of circulative resources.

##### 2.1.1. “EcoDesign” approach

Efforts to promote the use of EcoDesign-which involves a consistent approach to the design and manufacture of environmentally-friendly products from the product design to the disposal stages-are being seen in a variety of fields. Among them is the preparation of a product assessment manual by the home appliance industries.

Meanwhile, researchers in production/design technologies and other fields as well as managers and technicians from a broad range of industries came together in 2000 to form the “Union of EcoDesigners.” The members of this union share information and discuss the results of research and development, new technologies and actual cases of EcoDesign application in order to promote wide implementation of the EcoDesign approach.

##### 2.1.2. Reduction technologies

Innovations in production structure and other developments contribute to reduce the weight of PET bottles and other items by roughly 10 to 40% in weight. Moreover, containers and packaging for soaps and detergents that are disposed of by the consumer are being reduced through the development of condensed and refillable products. And, in addition to making products lighter and minimizing packing materials, the home appliances industry is creating products that are easily decomposed.

##### 2.1.3. Reuse technologies

Because, compared to recycling, reuse involves less additional energy consumption and environmental pollution, it takes priority over recycling. Reuse approaches begin with awareness and actions by each citizen that place value on things. It is true that such approaches in daily life have not been progressed substantially. Thus, in Japan, efforts are underway toward introducing movable dishwashers and promoting reusable cups at event halls.

##### 2.1.4. Recycling technologies

In Japan, the systematization of recycling has spurred the development of waste treatment and recycling technologies as well as design and manufacturing technologies for environ-
mentally-friendly products. These technologies extend gradually upstream in the product manufacturing process.

For example, at smelting facilities for nonferrous metals, advanced smelting technologies are being utilized to treat in a non-polluting manner substances that can cause environmental load and to recover and recycle rare metals.

Furthermore, practical application of so-called “bottle-to-bottle” recycling technologies—which chemically break down used PET bottles and return them to their basic ingredients—is being realized.

And, technologies for the manufacturing of easy-to-recycle products is also progressing, influenced to some degree by the Home Appliance Recycling Law and the End-of-life Vehicle Recycling Law.
Source: Documents of SMS planning division of the Central Environmental Council

##### 2.1.5. Incineration technologies

Major advancements have been seen in Japan’s intermediate waste treatment technologies. For example, technologies regarding exhaust gases through strict management of incineration temperature are being practically applied, as are technologies to effectively utilize heat generated from incineration for electric power generation. The total amount of electric power generated by waste incineration facilities grew 1.5 times more during the four years from FY2000 to FY2003.

##### 2.1.6. Final disposal technologies

Various efforts are being made with regard to the final disposal of residue that remains even after appropriate treatment and recycling. These include: 1) reducing the amount of final disposal, 2) ensuring that waste delivered into final disposal sites is harmless, 3) upgrading the structure of final disposal sites and 4) upgrading the treatment technologies of effusion from final disposal sites. Moreover, concerns about groundwater contamination caused by the elution of heavy metals have led to the introduction of double-layer seepage control sheets and closed-system disposal sites (roofed disposal sites that do not allow rainwater to penetrate).

#### 2.2. New approaches toward lifestyle change

Establishment of an SMS requires more than just technology. It also needs each citizen to change his or her lifestyle based on the spirit of mottainai, which is based on the recognition of the value of things with a sense of respect as well as to make efforts towards specific activities that reduce environmental burden. This represents an important issue for the future.

Given this perspective, it will be necessary to promote changes to new lifestyles that realize a society which is affluent as well as sustainable. Current endeavors in this direction
include the Slow Food movement in Europe and LOHAS (Lifestyles of Health and Sustainability) in the United States.

##### 2.2.1. Lifestyle-based approaches, such as the popularization of the furoshiki

The volume of containers and packaging that are disposed as waste after a single use (such as wrapping materials and plastic shopping bags) reaches some 600,000 tons a year. Among approaches to address this problem is the utilization of the furoshiki, which is a traditional product of Japan. The furoshiki has many advantages; it can be reused numerous times, cannot be torn easily, and does not take up storage space. Furthermore, the colors and patterns of the furoshiki can be chosen in accordance with the user and the season. Moreover, it can wrap objects of any size and shape, from fruit to wine or sake bottles. Thus, the furoshiki can be described as a facet of Japanese culture that is rooted in the spirit of mottainai $ ^{6} $ — that is, making full use of the inherent value of items.

Based on this facet of Japanese culture, the Ministry of the Environment is encouraging the shift to lifestyles that do not generate waste in dialy activities. Taking Mottainai Furoshiki as a symbol of such a shift in lifestyle the Ministry promotes the popularization of the use of furoshiki and the carrying of reusable shopping bags.

## “Mottainai Furoshiki”

Source: Ministry of the Environment

##### 2.2.2. Approaches by citizens in their everyday lives

At the same time, activities that involve collecting recyclable items — old newspapers and magazines, used clothing, etc. — and then handing them over to resource collection businesses can be seen in all parts of the country. This is known as “community-based collection of recyclables” The amount of items collected in FY2003 reached approximately 2.83 million tons, which marked a 150% increase over ten years before. This kind of community-based collection of recyclables is playing a major role in reducing waste by thorough sorting and, according to FY2003 data, the amount collected in this way accounts for 30% of the total amount of recycled municipal waste (approximately 9.16 million tons).
##### 2.2.3. Enhancing education to improved the awareness of future generations

The Ministry of the Environment has prepared a “Junior Eco-Club Program” as an enjoyable means of supporting independent environmental activities and learning among children in their home regions. This program, which is implemented in collaboration with local governments, is a typical example of educational approaches aimed at those who will play a central role in the society of the future-our children.

A Junior Eco-Club can be registered simply by bringing together two or more children with an assisting adult (supporter). Once registered, the club is free to take a variety of actions based on the interests and concerns of the children, including town cleanup activities, nature observations along rivers, and activities aimed at experiencing the natural environment.

##### 2.2.4. New developments in “green” purchasing activities

Approaches from the demand side are progressing based on the “Law Concerning the Promotion of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities” (Law on Promoting Green Purchasing), which was enacted in 2000.

Referring to goods and services that are useful in reducing environmental burden as “eco-friendly goods, etc.” this law stipulates that the central government and other organizations shall formulate and disclose policies toward the further procurement of eco-friendly goods, etc., promote measures toward establishment of specific targets, and publicly announce the extent to which the targets were achieved each fiscal year. In addition, it recommends that local governments and other organizations as well as businesses and private citizens endeavor to choose eco-friendly goods, etc., whenever possible. The details of eco-friendly goods, etc., are being deliberated by the “Commission for the Investigation of Specific Items for Procurement” that is made up of academic experts in the field and others. As of FY2005, 214 items in 17 classifications have been designated as eco-friendly goods, etc.

### 3. Current status and future targets of waste management and recycling measures based on approaches implemented to date

When looking at conditions in Japan thus far, what first becomes apparent is that the amount of waste generated has increased significantly in line with economic growth, particularly during the period of high economic growth. Even today, the amount of waste generated remains roughly unchanged. Consequently, waste reduction has become an important issue. A second point is that, as various recycling systems are strengthened, more and more resources are being used in a cyclical manner through recycling and other efforts. However, use of such resources has not necessarily reached its peak. Thus, considering the remaining capacity of final disposal sites and other factors, even further efforts will be required to reduce waste.
#### 3.1. Arrangement of annual data pertaining to waste and recycling

##### 3.1.1. Changes in the amount of waste produced

Changes in the amount of generated municipal waste

From FY1983 to FY1990, the amount of generated municipal waste increased rapidly. As a result, the Waste Management Law was revised in 1991 to add measures of waste reduction and to reinforce the responsibility of stakeholders. In later years — from FY1991 to FY2002 — the amount of municipal waste generated has remained roughly unchanged at a high daily amount.

Changes in amount of municipal waste generated

Source: Ministry of the Environment

## Changes in the amount of industrial waste generated

Like municipal waste, the amount of industrial waste generated increased rapidly until FY1990. Since then, it has seen no major fluctuations, hovering around the 400 million-ton level. Thus, the amount of waste generated has remained roughly stable since the collapse of the bubble economy.

Changes in amount of industrial waste generated

$ ^{*} $ The Method of calculating generated amount was changed in 1996.

Source: Ministry of the Environment