BEIJING (Scrap Monster): Japan has surpassed all other countries in the world for recycling plastics. In 2010, Japan recycled 77% of plastic waste, up from 73% in 2006 and 39% in 1996, according to the Plastic Waste Management Institute.
The country has passed several recycling laws to address the disposal and treatment of plastic waste since 1997, when businesses and consumers were obliged to separate plastic waste for the first time. That measure, along with better awareness off the benefits of separating out plastic is what has had the impact.
In 2006, according to the institute, Japan recycled 2.1m tonnes of plastic waste, while 4.8m tonnes undergoes so-called "thermal recycling" which includes conversion into useful chemicals and burning to generate energy.
The law was tightened amid a rise in the amount of waste generated by Japan's 127 million people, and a shortage of landfill space.
Household items such as food wrappers and PET bottle labels are clearly marked to indicate they need to be treated as plastic waste. The items are usually collected for free, on different days from regular kitchen waste.
At 77%, Japan's plastic recycling rate is about twice that of the UK, and well above the 20% figure for the US, which still depends largely on landfill, according to institute spokesman Takushi Kamiya. One major driver has been the lack of space for landfill on the crowded islands.
The recycled material is used in textiles, sheeting, industrial materials and household items such as egg boxes. Large quantities are shipped to China, Hong Kong and other parts of Asia, where it is used to make toys and games.
Japan recycled 72% of PET bottles in 2010, compared with 48% in Europe and 29% in the US.
The Guardian reported.
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