Abstract
Trends in the predicted amounts of packaging waste to be discharged are examined. The amount of household packaging waste was found to have recently been on the increase while the amount for plastic packaging waste had probably exceeded its expected amount in 2006. Two policies are discussed : 1) Goal setting and planning for packaging waste prevention in each business category and 2) Extension of responsibility among producers. In light of this discussion, I propose three things : expanded business categories for large-volume packaging users in a reporting system on packaging reduction ; the inclusion of voluntary plans by business associations to establish a basic policy for The Packaging Recycling Act and to set goals for prevention in each business category ; and Cost Reduction (Rationalization) Contribution that would be calculated along with costs of rational and efficient separate collection and sorting, instead of the difference between estimated recycling costs and actual recycling costs. As for the costs involved with separate collection and sorting, activities for promoting a municipal solid waste management accounting standard by MOE are also described here.
