Abstract
This is a case study on the voluntary, industry-based Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program. This used motorcycle recycling program, based on EPR concepts, was launched in October 2004 in Japan. In light of the enactment of the Recycling of End-of-Life Vehicles Law, a discussion emerged about whether recycling obligations would also be imposed on motorcycle manufactures and importers. For various reasons, however, the motorcycle was excluded from the law. The first reason is that the motorcycle vehicle registration system is different from that for the automobile. Secondly, the product structure of a motor cycle is also different from that of the automobile (i.e. there is no installation of air-conditioners or air-bags). Although this obligation to recycle was not imposed on motorcycle manufacturers and importers by law, a total of 16 companies worked together to develop a voluntary recycling system. This paper introduces the features of this system and discusses the issues that remain to be solved in order to obtain the full benefits of EPR. The real results can only be understood after 2011 when used motorcycles will be collected by the producers without any cost to the last holder. The paper also looks at a study on whether Design for Environment (DfE) can be encouraged with EPR.
