Table 4-4-2 Examples or progress in 3Rs-related efforts in the G8 member Countries and by the European Commission

Canada	✓ Waste diversion (recycling and composting) per person in 2004 improved by 24%, compared to 2000.✓ Implements green purchase programs at the national and state level, along with an extended producer responsibility program for specific waste flows.✓ Makes international contributions, as part of the OECD, to the development of environmentally responsible waste management guidelines and other activities.✓ Has successfully established links between improvements in energy efficiency through the promotion of recycling and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and addresses these issues in cooperation with neighboring countries.
European Commission	✓ Formulated a thematic strategy on waste reduction and recycling (2005) and a thematic strategy on the sustainable use of natural resources (2005).✓ Established targets for the End-of-Life Vehicle Directive (ELV) as a result of WEEE and RoHS reviews in 2008.✓ Established an international panel on sustainable resource management, in collaboration with the UNEP.✓ Proposed the Waste Framework Directive.✓ Proposed action plans on sustainable consumption/production and sustainable industrial policies.
France	✓ Formulated the National Plan for Waste Prevention (2004).✓ Has undertaken various awareness campaigns.✓ In addition to enforcing EU recycling-related laws, has applied extended producer responsibility to waste tires (2004), unsolicited flyers (2007), etc.✓ Grenelle de l'Environnement (environmental policy program)—Aims to reduce waste production by 5 kg per person, annually, over the next five years.—Aims to improve the recycling rate (e.g., collect organic materials)✓ Promotes sustainable production and consumption (by economic instruments, e.g., bonuses) and has broadened the applicability of extended producer responsibility to include household hazardous waste, waste furniture, etc.
Germany	✓ As a result of the introduction of recycling laws, the rate of resource recycling from waste increased from 13% in 1990 to 58% in 2006. Landfills lacking intermediate treatment were banned in 2005.✓ The waste management sector is expected to contribute 10% of the greenhouse gas reduction target under the Kyoto Protocol.✓ Established the goal of doubling resource productivity by 2020, compared to 1994 levels.
Italy	✓ Established original targets for the sorted collection of urban solid waste: 50% by the end of 2009 and 60% by the end of 2011.✓ Established the goal of reducing total material requirements by 25% by 2020, 50% by 2030, and 90% by 2050.✓ Active in introducing various market mechanisms under the new financial law of 2007. Uses environmental indicators and target setting (incl. waste production and management targets) when distributing EU Structural Funds.
Japan	✓ Formulated the Fundamental Law for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society as the framework law and the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society as an implementation program. Established targets to be achieved by 2015 for resource productivity (¥420,000/ton, gross domestic product (GDP)/direct material input (DMI)), cyclical use rate (14-15%, amount of cyclical use/(amount of cyclical use + DMI)), and the amount of final disposal (23 million tons in landfill).✓ The 21st Century Environment Nation Strategy, established in 2007, positions 3R activities as a key environmental strategy.✓ Revised recycling-related laws for the further promotion of waste recycling (e.g., the Containers and Packaging Recycling Law, and the Food Waste Recycling Law).✓ Actively promotes 3R through close cooperation with international organizations and diverse activities such as policy dialogue and capacity building.
Russia	✓ Waste from mineral extraction processes accounts for 90% of the total waste generated.✓ Forty percent of all municipal solid and industrial wastes are collected as resources and subject to treatment.✓ Working on draft laws for 3R promotion, including a federal law on circulative resources. Enacted a permit system for hazardous waste management.
U.K.	✓ Formulated a new waste strategy in 2007, setting stricter targets for recycling and household waste composting: 40% by 2010, 45% by 2015, and 50% by 2020.✓ Set new targets for reducing the amount of household waste (waste not subject to reuse, recycling or composting): a 29% reduction by 2010, compared to 2000 levels, and a 45% reduction by 2020.✓ Introduced economic incentives such as landfill tax. Plans to raise the rate of this tax from £32/te to £48/te in 2010.✓ In addition to setting targets for key waste materials (used paper, food, glass, aluminum, wood, plastic, fabric), conducts various activities to achieve sustainable consumption and production.✓ Under the framework of the Basel Convention, strives to prevent the illegal transboundary movement of hazardous wastes.
U.S.	✓ Issued presidential directives in January 2007 to strengthen federal control of the environment, energy and traffic by incorporating the 3R concept.✓ The EPA has set a recycling rate target of 35%.✓ Promotes 3R principles through various activities, including product stewardship, e-waste reuse and recycling, and the promotion of remanufactured products.

Source : Ministry of the Environment