Issues and Policy Measures for Phosphorus Recycling from Sewage: Lessons from Stakeholder Analysis of Japan

抄録

While some local governments push ahead with recycling phosphorus from wastewater, there has been little progress nationwide. In this study, we analyzed the perceptions and interests of each stakeholder in this issue by conducting interviews to assess recycling approaches. In comparison with recycling in other fields, for instance, industrial materials recycling, the stakeholders involved in phosphorus recycling are far more diverse. This makes it more difficult to coordinate their behaviour. Based on interviews with a wide range of stakeholders, we identified seven dimensions that they consider vital for promoting phosphorus recycling: environment, cost, image, transaction stability, distribution, quantity and quality. Key challenges will be to develop technologies to slash costs, form dosho-imu alliances for simultaneous achievement of multiple objectives, and make bargaining arrangements among local governments, fertilizer manufacturers and cement producers to secure stable volumes.