2021 Volume 71 Issue 2 Pages 60-64
The targets of recycling rate of municipal solid waste set by the Ministry of the Environment, Japan, have not been achieved due to its stagnating since the fiscal year 2007. After introducing the national survey on municipal solid waste management conducted annually for all local governments, the difference of definition on recycling amount between Japan and the EU was discussed. This manuscript argued that a higher incineration rate in Japan than in EU countries prevented the lower recycling rate from increasing. Recycling activities should be appropriately evaluated based on understanding the advantages and disadvantages of definitions on recycling rate both in Japan and the EU.
