Silviase/jgov_v1.4_full_ann huggingface dataset:
# Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society

—Milestone toward a Sound Material-Cycle Society through changes in business and life styles—

Section 1. Outlook of society marking its 10th anniversary since the "First Year of Sound Material-cycle Society"

## 1 10 $ ^{th} $ Milestone Anniversary

This year marks the 10th anniversary since year 2000 which is called “First Year of Sound Material-Cycle Society” and the Fundamental Law for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society (Law No. 110/2000, hereinafter referred to as “the Fundamental Law for a Sound Material-Cycle Society”) was enacted in that year. How have Japan’s efforts toward a Sound Material-Cycle Society changed during this decade?

Regarding the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society to comprehensively and systematically promote measures on the establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society (hereinafter referred to as “the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society”) set forth in Article 15 of the Fundamental Law for a Sound Material-Cycle Society, the First and Second Fundamental Plans for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society were decided by the Cabinet in March 2003 and March 2008 respectively and the efforts have been put forth based on such fundamental plans.

In order to establish a Sound Material-Cycle Society, it is extremely important to know where, what and how much waste is generated as premises for confirmation of the cause of waste generation, promotion of the efficient use of materials input into society, etc. Consequently, the Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society covers Japan's material flow from the phase of extracting natural resources in which materials are moved from nature to the human world to the phase of final disposal of wastes from the human world to nature. Figure 1-1 compares the latest statistics of material flow in fiscal 2007 with that in fiscal 2000 showing that the material input amount decreases and the material amount for cyclical use increases.

The resource productivity, an index which comprehensively indicates that how much industries and people’s lives effectively use materials, was 361,000 yen/ton in fiscal year 2007, i.e., increased by 37% from fiscal 2000. The
Figure 1-2 Changes in Resource Productivity, Recycling Rate and Final Disposal Volume

Source: Ministry of the Environment

recycling rate (an indicator for the proportion of recycled and reused amount to total amount input to the economic society) was 13.5% in fiscal 2007, increased by 3.5% from fiscal 2000. The final disposal volume of wastes was 2.7 million tons in fiscal 2007, increased by 53% from fiscal 2000 (Figure 1-2).

Daily per capita garbage was 1,089 grams in fiscal 2007, decreased by 8.1% from fiscal 2000. Daily per capita household garbage was 586 grams in fiscal 2007, decreased by 10.4% from fiscal 2000. Wastes from business activities were 15.09 million tons in fiscal 2007, decreased by 16.1% from fiscal 2000. The final disposal volume of industrial wastes was 20.57 million tons in fiscal 2007, decreased by 77% from fiscal 2000 (Figure 1-3).

Concerning legal infrastructures, the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law was amended as well as enacting the Fundamental Law for a Sound Material-Cycle Society, and the Law for the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources, the Construction Materials Recycling Act, the Law for the Promotion of the Utilization of Recyclable Food Resources and the Law concerning the Promotion of Procurement of Eco-Friendly Goods and Services by the State and Other Entities (hereinafter referred to as “Green Purchasing Law”) were enacted. The legal infrastructures promoting efforts for establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society have been improved (Table 1-1).

Internationally, efforts on promotion of 3Rs (Reduction,

*Resource Productivity: GDP divided by input of natural resources, etc.

**Recycling Rate: Recycling amount divided by recycling amount + input of natural resources, etc.

Reuse and Recycling) and waste disposal have been advanced for establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society. After proposing 3R Initiative in 2004, Japan has played a leading role in promoting international 3Rs: "Kobe 3R Action Plan" proposed by Japan was adopted by the Environment Ministers Meeting held in Kobe in 2008 and was supported by the G8 Hokkaido Toyako Summit in 2008.

3Rs promotion and proper waste disposal are urgent issues for Asian countries where waste generation is increasing accompanied with economic growth and population growth. As a platform of 3Rs promotion in Asia, a meeting for the establishment of “Regional 3R Forum in Asia” was hosted by Japan and UN Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD) in November 2009 and “Tokyo 3R Statement Regarding Establishment the 3R Forum in Asia” was adopted in that forum. The Regional 3R Forum in Asia will be continuously held in Asia to promote 3Rs and establish a Sound Material-Cycle Society in Asia.
## 2 Need to Cope with Recent Changes

In this way, efforts toward a Sound Material-Cycle Society have been advanced in a decade. On the other hand, a Sound Material-Cycle Society will not necessarily be established by continuing efforts as same as the past decade considering changes in recyclable resource demand. In addition to the past efforts, qualitative changes are required.

For instance, although Japan’s domestic final disposal

Source: Created on the basis of Survey on Recycling Volume of Wastes published by the Ministry of the Environment

Figure 1-5 Changes in Final Disposal Volume of Industrial Wastes (according to waste item)

Source: Created on the basis of Survey on Recycling Volume of Wastes published by the Ministry of the Environment
1) Data for iron and steel (waste plastics), nonferrous smelting, wastes and byproducts of cement are from pages 20, 23 and 45 of Results of the Follow-up Survey Fiscal 2008 (Individual industry version), Concerning the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment [Building a recycling society series] published by the Japan Business Federation.

2) Data for wastes and byproducts of iron and steel (metals) are from Supply-and-Demand Results of Pig Iron and Iron Scraps published by the Japan Ferrous Raw Materials Association (domestic supply of iron scraps).

volume has been reduced, the breakdown shows that the wastes are separated into two: one has drastically decreased the final disposal volume since fiscal 2000 (e.g., kitchen wastes, paper, etc. in general wastes and rubble, sludge, etc. in industrial wastes) but another one has shown little changes in the final disposal volume since fiscal 2000 (Figure 1-4 and 1-5).

Regarding items in which the final disposal volume decreases, the recycling has advanced overall while the reduction rate of the final disposal volume has slowed down recently. As above, it is desirable that the recycling of wastes has advanced, and we need continued recycling. Meanwhile, many of wastes have been recycled to construction materials (aggregate and paving) and raw materials (cement raw material, etc.). Since it is possible that demand for products using recyclable resources is greatly affected by economic fluctuation, etc., too much recycling to specific materials may stop recycling resources in Japan accompanied with reduced demand caused by changes in economic and social trends. It is necessary to diversify the utilization of recyclable resources (Figure 1-6 and 1-7).

Obviously, it is necessary to further advance recycling of the wastes in which the final disposal volume shows little change.

Figure 1-6 Breakdown of Recycling According to Waste

Source: Created on the basis of Survey on Recycling Volume of Wastes published by the Ministry of the Environment

Figure 1-7 Percentage of Accepting Wastes to Be Recycled to Iron and Steel, Nonferrous Metals, Cement and Paper Manufacturing

Note: Paper sludge used for fuels is not included in paper industry.

4) Data for wastes and byproducts of paper manufacturing are from page 74 of Results of the Follow-up Survey Fiscal 2008 (Results in Fiscal 2007) (Individual industry version), Concerning the Voluntary Action Plan on the Environment [Global warming countermeasure series] published by the Japan Business Federation.
## Future possibilities of using byproducts and wastes from cement industry

## Column

National Institute for Environmental Studies and Nagoya University estimated demand for cement based on a scenario on new demand for buildings and civil structures and a scenario on introduction of measures to decrease usage of unrenewable resources in the near future (by around year 2030) and conducted fundamental examinations on future possibilities of using byproducts and wastes from cement industry. As a result, if domestic demand for cement drastically decreases, the cement output may decrease by two thirds of the current output (70 million tons). Then, if the current unit usage of byproducts and wastes (448 kg per one ton of cement in 2008) does not increase, total usage of byproducts and wastes also decreases by two thirds of the current usage (30 million tons). Under this circumstance, kinds of recycled byproducts and wastes may greatly change. In order to maintain the current total usage of byproducts and wastes, it is necessary to increase the unit usage of byproducts and wastes per one ton of cement by 600 kg.

On the other hand, it is also required to simultaneously achieve a Sound Material-Cycle Society and a low-carbon society toward the achievement of the goal that greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by 25% from 1990 levels by the

Figure 1-8 Changes in Cement Production and Use of Byproducts and Wastes in Cement Industry

Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on Cement Handbook published by the Japan Cement Association

year 2020. Given that carbon is also one of resources/materials, it is further required to create a society using resources and materials efficiently with economy. Such efforts can be an engine for new growth.

## Column

## Greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) reduced in sectors other than the waste sector by utilizing generated wastes for raw fuels and waste power generation

According to an estimate by the Ministry of Environment, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) reduced in sectors other than the waste sector by utilizing generated wastes for raw fuels and waste power generation was estimated 1.5 million tons of $ CO_{2} $ in fiscal 2006.

Note: Although industrial waste power generation is overlapped with use of industrial waste heat, since it is difficult to eliminate the overlapped part, the amount reduced by industrial waste power generation is treated as a reference and is not included in total GHGs reduced.

Source: Ministry of the Environment - Results of the Second Progress of the Second Fundamental Plan for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society
Figure 1-11 Gifu eco-life promotion project

(3) Efforts to encourage waste generators to control waste generation by themselves and become demanders for recycled products

○ Efforts toward closed-loop-recycling with 100% recycled materials (Figure 1-12)

In order to manufacture new home appliances, Home Appliance Manufacturer M has promoted “closed-loop-recycling” using plastic materials which are precious “resources (materials)” collected from products for their products again, not “consuming” limited resources one after another. Aimed at using 100% recycled materials, not new materials, it has dealt with study and development of recycling technologies producing high-quality recycled plastics and advanced the effort to automatically separate and collect recyclable materials from “shredded mixed plastic” which were hard to be recycled and use for products. This company estimates that with this effort, newly about 6,400 tons of plastic materials can be closed-loop-recycled a year.
# Improved eco-efficiency of products by introducing a concept of eco-efficiency indicator to product design

## Column

There are some businesses which set up indicators or standards to judge environmental performances such as resource saving and recycled item use rate to make use of product design and manufacturing. At present, many of businesses set up in-house indicators since the calculation method for environmental efficiency is different depending on each business. It is hoped the calculation method will be standardized and the indicators will be used as a guide for consumers' selection/purchasing of products, e.g., comparison of products.

(4) Construction of a system incorporating users of products utilizing recyclable resources from the planning stage

O Tanseikan (Tahara City) (Figure 1-14)

In Tahara City, a special-purpose company was established by five enterprises in different categories located in Aichi Prefecture (Plant Company M, Construction Company T, Leasing Company M, Environment Management Company T and Electric Furnace Steel-making Company C) to conduct intermediate treatment processes of combustible wastes and combustible bulky wastes as a part of waste treatment/disposal business of Tahara City. Working together with the electric furnace steelmaking plant which is a demander for carbide and valuable metals manufactured from wastes, a system making effective use of products utilizing recyclable resources is established from the planning stage. In addition, each investing company is mainly in charge of its specialized field, i.e., design and construction of Tanseikan, environment management and use of carbide to smoothly operate the business.

(5) Japan's efforts to complement recycling in developing countries

Promotion of importing difficult items to dispose of properly (Table 1-2)

As a result of improved treatment technologies of Japan, internationally expanding Japanese enterprises and increased corporate social responsibility, efforts to accept and properly treat wastes which are difficult to be treated properly in developing countries but are able to be done in Japan within the realm of handling capacity have been advanced. Such activities should be actively promoted since they reduce the environment load of import trading partners. Meanwhile, the “Bill for a Partial Amendment to the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law” including addition of persons as waste importers who commission the disposal of foreign wastes having a probable cause to be treated in Japan to industrial waste disposal contractors was submitted to the 174th Diet in March 2010.
Source: Tahara City

Table 1-2 Imported wastes

Imported wastes in fiscal 2008 (the figure in parenthesis indicates the result of previous year)
Permitted number of imports	9 (6)	4,450 (3,461) tons
Reported import volumes	1,843 (282) tons
Imported from	Thailand, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong
Commodities	Waste dry-cells, waste fluorescent tubes, used photoreceptor drums, used cartridges, etc.

Source: Ministry of the Environment

## (6) Efforts to recycle high value-added goods ☐ Efforts to collect rare metals

In Japan, rare metals are collected by nonferrous smelters or manufacturers who produce interim products or products made of rare metals, and also collected from secondary raw materials (nonferrous scraps, metalized wastes, etc.). At nonferrous smelters, primary raw materials (ores) and secondary raw materials containing traces of rare metals such as platinum and indium are purified at the production process of main products, copper, lead and zinc, and such rare metals are removed as impurities and collected as by-products. In many cases, gold and silver contained in raw materials are also collected at the same time.

In addition, a model project of collecting end-of-life compact appliances was carried out at seven regions in Japan in fiscal 2009. In this project, various collection methods have been adopted at each model region in order to examine effective and efficient collection methods for end-of-life compact appliances. For example, collection boxes for compact appliances are installed at rail stations in Koto Ward and Hachioji City in Tokyo. In Minamata City, there
Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on Opinion Polls on Environmental Problems in FY2009 published by the Cabinet Office

$ ^{*} $ The sentence was partially abbreviated since it is too long.

Figure 1-17 Efforts for reusing and recycling wastes

(Breakdown of answers from respondents who said they are interested in waste problem (multiple answers allowed))

Source: Created by the Ministry of the Environment based on Opinion Polls on Environmental Problems in FY2009 published by the Cabinet Office

$ ^{*} $ The sentence was partially abbreviated since it is too long.
Figure 1-18 Waste reduction effect created by information provision to consumers, etc.

Questionnaire data on factors of segregating recyclable paper from employees

A recyclable paper segregation table with pictures was distributed to all employees.

Source: Ministry of the Environment

was calculated using POS data mainly from supermarkets and the reduced amount was estimated using the weight of each container. These data show that the reduction effect increases over time.

## (3) Effect of introducing reusable cups in offices

Company N has removed disposable paper cups which were consumed at a rate of 4,000pcs a day and introduced reusable cups since September 2009. Materials and stacking efficiency are considered for the shape of the reusable cup and colorful cups are adopted so that employees can select in an enjoyable format. A collection box is placed next to the beverage server and collected reusable cups are washed all together. According to this company, with this effort, waste paper cups which used to be heavily generated everyday disappear and about 480kg of waste is reduced per month (Figure 1-21).

We need to fulfill our responsibility properly toward the establishment of a sound material-cycle society. This responsibility and division of roles are not limited to one generation but are taken by future generations.

As mentioned above, the efforts toward the establishment

The following pictures show that recyclable paper mixed into combustible wastes decreased after providing information.

Figure 1-19 Waste reduction effect created by information provision to consumers, etc. (plastic bottles)

Current status of your method to dispose of plastic bottles

February 1 Monday	February 2 Tuesday	February 3 Wednesday	February 4 Thursday	February 5 Friday	February 6 Saturday	February 7 Sunday
A: Beverage still remains inside the bottle.	3
B: No beverage inside the bottle
C: Uncapped	4	5	5	4	2	1
D: Label was peeled off.	1
E: Rinsed inside the bottle	1
F: Crushed	1	1	1
G: Others	1	1	1	2

Results

Environment-friendly act	Poster	Visualization of poster
Increased proper method to dispose of plastic bottles	Increased by 61.8%	Increased by 75.8%

Source: Ministry of the Environment
Figure 1-20 (1) Generation control effect created by the spread of refillable shampoo (including set)

Extended estimate by using chemical industry statistics data multiplied by sales rate of POS data

Source: Analysis on Reduction and Reuse of Wastes: Systematization of Evaluation Methods and Application Study, 2009 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society

Figure 1-21 Effect of introducing reusable cups in offices

Waste paper cups

Source: Oracle Corporation Japan

Recovered reusable cups

Figure 1-20 (2) Generation control effect created by the spread of refillable rinse (including set)

Extended estimate by using chemical industry statistics data multiplied by sales rate of POS data

Source: Analysis on Reduction and Reuse of Wastes: Systematization of Evaluation Methods and Application Study, 2009 Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on the Establishment of a Sound Material-Cycle Society

of a sound material-cycle society have been advanced. However, in order to realize a sound material-cycle society, it is necessary to clearly understand effects of 3Rs and qualitatively improve the activities like 3Rs which lead to a sound material-cycle society. It is also necessary to propose a new image of sound material-cycle society and let all levels of people deal with cyclical activities with an easy mind based on the current socioeconomic circumstances. Furthermore, the sound material-cycle society business must take in each and every individual cyclical activity and lead to local revitalization or job security.

Willingly or not, our activities have a great impact on all options of future generations. We need to accelerate efforts toward a sound material-cycle society by crystallization of the wisdom and collaboration and cooperation based on mutual trust so that the next generation does not suffer social unrest caused by limited resources or waste problems. Let us start from the closest thing step by step (Table 1-3).
Table 1-3 Efforts toward establishing a sound material-cycle society in our daily lives

Clothes	Wearing kimonos passed down for generations
Distribution of secondhand clothing by utilizing flea markets, etc.
Making over old clothing
Food	Consumption of food with producer's name
Purchasing and consumption of food in the order of expiration date
Use of menu-driven cooking for wedding ceremonies, etc.
Consumption of seasonal local productions
Purchasing and use of chopsticks made of wood thinned from forests
Residence	Design of quality houses for long-term use
Installation of photovoltaic facilities, installation of solar water heaters and use of high-performance insulation materials
Utilization of chick blinds and water sprinkling
Reform of buildings
How to spend leisure time	Ecotourism
Use of reusable cups in the stadium
Utilization of raw garbage generated from hotels and restaurants
Things	Long-term use of furniture and tools
Purchasing of long-life products
Utilization of leased and rental products
Spread of repair and maintenance
Active use of servicizing
Bringing own shopping bags or wrapping cloths
Do not receive unnecessary containers or packaging.
Purchasing of environment-friendly products, e.g., recycled products and refills, and services (green products and services)