TOKYO (The Stellar News):A bill aimed at improving Japan’s plastic recycling practices and cutting down on waste has been approved by the cabinet.
The bill, expected to come into force in April 2022, will promote a series of new measures ranging from recycling a wider range of waste to reducing the use of plastic at restaurants and retail stores.
Currently, many local governments only allow certain types of plastic waste to be recycled, like food takeout trays and bottles, and collect them separately. But the bill will urge them to collect a wider range of plastic waste, including stationery and toys, and pick the different types of plastic up from households at one time.
Eating and drinking establishments that give customers disposable straws and cutlery will be required to draw up reduction measures by reviewing their serving methods.
Retail stores will also be required to make moves to cut waste, such as charging for packaging, switching plastic packaging to more environmentally-friendly materials, or making it standard practice to ask customers whether they need packaging at all. Businesses that fail to meet the new requirement can be fined up to 500,000 yen.
The bill comes after it was made mandatory for stores to charge for plastic shopping bags from July last year, a measure which has been judged as effective and will remain in place.
The government will also look to establish a system to certify environmentally friendly products, such as those that use the smallest feasible amount of plastic.
Businesses that require large amounts of packaging or building materials will be urged to strengthen their recycling programs. If they fail to do so or they are judged to have made an inadequate effort, the government can issue advice and orders.
More than 8 million tons of plastic waste is generated in Japan annually. Related marine pollution is a serious concern and the government said it is moving to urgently address the problem by introducing its new schemes.
