1.

Waste Management 3R Policies in Japan

Changes in 3R policies

 Enactment of the Waste Management Law – To controlee extensive waste generation due to rapid
economic growth this low was enacted in 1970. The main target of this law is to systemize and
waste categorize. In conventional law the unwanted materials in solid or liquid state called “Filthy
Matters” and this new law defined it as “Waste”.

Awareness of the importance of recycling

 In 1973 energy crisis in Japan impressed to dispose waste and to use it as an energy source.

Consolidation of the legislative system of recycling

 By the understanding (in 1990) the necessity of recycling, to address the Global environmental
issues and demands for sustainable development, the Japan first law of recycling, “Law for the
Promotion of Utilization of Recycled Resources (Present “Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization
of Resources”) was enacted in 1991. The conventional methods of waste management (Mitigation,
Intermediate treatment, recycling, incineration, etc.) were modified by 3R policies (Reduction,
Reuse and Recycle as row material and energy source). Various laws were introduced to promote
3R policies and put in to force in 2000 in the name of “Sound Material Cycle Society”. The law was
renewed to project responsibilities of Business and other concern parties (Law for Promotion of
Effective Utilization of Resources with on their responsibilities for 3R police).

2. Legislative System for Waste management and 3R policies

To ensure material recycling in society, reduce consumption of Natural resources and reduce
environmental burdens In January, 2001 the fundamental law for establishing a sound Material-
Cycle society was establish. It defined basic principles and obligates all the responsible parties
including national government, local government, business and citizens. Further it defined measures
to be taken by local governments. The law was enforced in Apr, 2001 and modified with Amendment
in Jun, 2006.
Two main laws were established call “waste Management law and” And “Law for promotion of
effective utilization of resources. First law is for, proper waste management, setting up waste
disposal facilities, waste disposal business, waste management standards, control improper disposal,
development of facilities participation of public sector. Second law is to reduce and recycling of by-
products, Utilization of recycled and reusable, product design and manufacture with awareness of
3R, product labeling and waste separation, voluntary take-back and recycling of used products,
byproduct effective utilization.
Five main laws for recycling Containers and packaging (April 2000, amendment Jun. 2006), Home
appliances (April, 2001), food (May 2001), construction waste (May 2002) and End-of-life vehicle
(January 2005) were put in to action. The green purchasing law to promote procurement of recycled
product was put in to force in April 2001.

3. Fundamental law to establish a sound material-cycle society

Aimed to establish recycling-based society which reduces consumption of natural resources and
environmental burdens through prevent generation of waste, promoting recycling and ensuring
proper disposal of waste. It provides basic framework to promote waste treatment and 3R policies.
In this law recyclable materials were defined as, waste materials that are useful, regardless of value.
The law consists of basic principles, Responsibilities (National government, Local government,
Business and citizens), Basic plans and policies for establishing such a society.

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4. Waste management law
a. Outline of law
In this framework, National government gives advices to Prefectures. The prefectures give advices to
Municipalities while National government provides financial assistance to Municipalities because
Municipalities are responsible for MSW disposal. MSW are managed by Direct, Contract and
Licensed disposal business. All three methods collect waste from discharges (citizens and business).
Prefectures also give licenses, guidance or supervisions to licensed disposal business and waste
disposal centers (which are collect industrial waste).

b. Definition of waste
Waste is defined by waste management law as “Things that become useless because they can no
longer be used by their owners or sold to others for value, including refuse, bulky refuse, burnt
residue, sludge, excreta and other solid or liquid waste materials or unnecessary things”. Waste has
mainly divide into two main groups call industrial and municipal solid waste. Subdivisions of above
groups called “Specially controlled industrial and municipal solid waste” should be specially
managed as they are explosive, toxic, infectious and harmful to human health.

Industrial waste should be disposed by waste dischargers own responsibility and should compliance
with criteria stipulated by Waste management law. In case of municipal solid waste, waste
management law stipulates responsibility on municipalities.

C. Intermediate treatment of final disposal of waste

Intermediate treatment is to reduce size and weight, detoxify and stabilize waste before treatment
or disposal. Ex. Color sorting glass, Magnetic separate aluminum and steel, Food waste composting.
81% municipal solid waste could be subjected to incineration after intermediate treatment. As of the
end of year 2004 the total incineration facilities are 1374 and total incineration capacity is 195,952
tons per day. The final disposal refers to landfill disposal or sea dumping. In landfill, there are 3
named types of final disposal facilities (Strictly controlled, inert and controlled) which technical
guidelines and maintenance management criteria.
Strictly controlled: Industrial waste containing hazardous substances
Inert waste: Plastic, rubber, metal scraps, glass craps, concrete scraps and ceramic scraps
Controlled: Industrial waste not filled in above two sites and municipal solid waste

D. Development of industrial waste disposal facilities through participation of the public sector
In principle the industrial waste disposal should be done by waste dischargers and disposers.
However, due to difficulties in development of proper disposal facilities, public sector has also now
engaged with development of safe and secure disposal systems by Management, hardware
(economic instruments) and software (regulations, instruction and guidance) support to human
resources rich private sector. One of the disposal facility developed by this combination is Waste
Disposal Centers. This system was establish as a public interest corporation by National government,
but now include joint-stock corporations co-financed by national government, a local government, a
private company or a private contractors according to year 2000 revision of waste management law.
Year 2000 revision also removed the previous limitation; one waste disposal center per one
prefecture.
In Japan PCB waste is designated as specially controlled waste. Since 1975 PCB manufacturing,
import and use were prohibited. In 2001 law for treatment of PCB waste was established and it is
targeting disposal of all accumulated PCB waste by July 2016. The outline of the law is, Business that
obligate to dispose PCB waste must dispose in fixed time period with annual reports, Japan
Environment Safety Corporation develops PCB waste treatment facilities and programs and
Established PCB waste treatment fund to alleviate expenses for the treatment on small and medium
size enterprises. JESCO treatment facilities are now in full operation and accordance with the law
concerning special measures against PCB waste.