Abstract
Fukuoka Prefecture operates a program for the certification of recycled-material products in order to identify which ones are eco-friendly and distribute them to the public. This study aims to estimate the effects of such a program in terms of the amount of reduction for final waste disposal and carbon dioxide emissions. It was confirmed that the certified products reduced the amount of final waste by as much as the total amount of waste disposed of in Fukuoka Prefecture in the year 2005, while only a minor amount of reduction in CO2 emissions was found as a result of these products. The products have been divided into three categories : (1) products that are effective in the reduction of waste disposal ; (2) products that are effective in reducing CO2 emissions ; and (3) products that are neither effective in reducing waste disposal or CO2 emission amounts. As of yet, none of recycled-material products much effective in both waste disposal and CO2 emission reductions have been developed or given certification. All the products had more or less positive effects in both types of reduction, which implies that the policies being promoted in this materials recycling program do not conflict with those related to the issue of global warming.
