Japan’s Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics had been under consultation by the Central Environment Council since August 2018. This strategy indicates Japan’s direction toward a sustainable society as it attempts to tackle global challenges, such as resource efficiency, marine plastic litter, climate change, import bans by China and other Asian countries. This can only be realized by the promotion of meticulous resource circulation for plastic materials. The draft of the strategy by the committee contains : 1) “3Rs＋Renewable” as a basic principle ; 2) mandatory charge for a plastic bag and other measures; and 3) ambitious “milestones” regarding 3Rs and biomass plastics. This report is being submitted to the Minister of the Environment by the Central Environment Council this March. Afterwards, and based on this report, the government will formulate the Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics at the G20 Summit to held this June 2019. Finally, prompt measures will need to be taken according to the strategy presented.

View full abstract

Environmental plastic pollution requires an urgent global response. The United Nations Environmental Assembly (UNEA) has adopted resolutions on marine litter and microplastics at each of its first three meetings. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has undertaken studies on marine litter and microplastics, building on existing work and taking into account the most up-to-date studies and data. It has also, conducted an assessment of the effectiveness of relevant international, regional and subregional governance strategies and approaches to combat marine plastic litter and microplastics. Under the Basel Convention, the fourteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties, to be held in May 2019, will consider the proposed amendments to Annexes to the Convention with an intention to clarify the scope of the plastic wastes covered under the Convention. Points that still need further consideration include : the establishment of a new partnership on plastic wastes ; financial and technical assistance to developing countries and countries with economies in transition to address plastic waste, cooperation and coordination among related international organizations and regional agreements ; public awareness, education and in formation exchange ; development of technical guidelines ; possible future assessment of the effectiveness of the measures taken under the Convention ; support for innovation, research and development and gathering scientific evidence to inform policy decisions.

View full abstract

In order to tackle problems related to marine plastics debris, there are three particular aspects where attention needs to be focused: dynamic aspect, international aspect, and diversity of problems and measures. The author proposes that all plastic products be categorized into three categories : Type A) products which release micro-plastic during normal usage (long life and short life ; Type B ) products which end up as micro-plastic after littering or illegal dumping on land ; and Type C) products which are released directly into marine environments. In the waste management field, the release of micro-plastics from Type A products is as yet still not recognized as a major problem and it is therefore necessary to initiate comprehensive research with the aim of establishing effective measures for the control of waste flow.
　The author proposes that emphasis be placed on the following : 1) transfer of experience, technologies, and know-how for waste management systems to neighboring countries ; 2) salvaging of floating plastic debris ; and 3) measures against use of Type A products, prevention of micro-plastic generation from the use of Type A products, or collection of micro-plastics from Type A products. Lastly, the author stresses that because quantitative information on the use and generation of end-of-life fishing gear is very scarce, there is an urgent need to carry out detailed surveys on this issue as well.

View full abstract

Recently the two issues of marine plastic pollution and the ban on used-plastic imports by China and Southeast Asian Countries were brought to public notice with regard to the circular management of plastics. In my opinion, two perspectives on developing a plastic resource management strategy must be taken into consideration. Firstly, there are three tasks to be implemented regarding plastics : 1) managing plastic resources ; 2) taking action against climate change ; and 3) taking measures against marine plastic pollution, and these tasks will need to be dealt with in a fully integrated manner. Secondly, regarding the problem of marine plastic pollution, we must separate our foci for action by categorizing : 1) microbeads ; 2) plastics that break down into small pieces after discarding (i.e. plastic checkout bags) ; 3) plastics that are dumped intentionally (i.e. fishing implements) ; and 4) plastics discharged unintentionally (i.e. artificial turf and plastic particles resulting from tire wear).
　Until now, the circular management of plastics has been regulated only for packaging by the Packaging Recycling Act. In the situation where the above three tasks are at issue, it becomes difficult to limit the object of the plastic regulation to packaging. When the 3R Act regarding plastics is established, it will not be an individual law focusing on certain types of goods, but a cross-sectional law focusing on the actual composition of any given material.

View full abstract

The year 2018 saw the development of some strategic policies related to bioplastics, including the Resource Circulation Strategy for Plastics. In addition, a national target of introducing up to 2 million tons of bioplastics by FY 2030 was set. In order to facilitate a better understanding of function and necessity of bioplastics and biodegradable plastics, this paper introduces policies surrounding bioplastics in both Japan and foreign countries, and also outlines the raw material and manufacturing process of bioplastic development.

View full abstract

In the passing of just one century since the discovery of plastic materials, the world has reached a point of full-scale dissemination of plastics in just about every aspect of our lives within just the last half century. As a result, we are now facing serious environmental threats, including the wide spread of marine microplastics and emission of greenhouse gases. This is affecting every corner of the planet. International organizations have begun to re-examine the use of plastics and challenges connected to their material cycles. Under such circumstances, we must not only take into account the conventional 3Rs concept of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, but must also focus on the idea of “3R Plus,” which includes the concepts Renewable and Recovery. It is desirable to use exhaustible resources as little as possible while shifting toward renewable resources. “Recovery” includes both energy recovery and recovery of plastics from the environment. Here we introduce Kyoto City’s system for placing a charge on single-use plastic bags and show the positive effects: proving we can expect to halve the amount of single-use plastic bags by this effort alone. The paper also introduces approaches for introducing bio-plastic materials, along with a life cycle analysis for bio-plastics, proving there is a possibility for reducing GHG emissions on this front as well.

View full abstract

The largest degree of illegal dumping was discovered in 1999 at the border of Aomori and Iwate Prefectures. Both prefectures have their own individual plans to remove this environmental plight and both completed a full industrial waste clearance in FY2013. They are currently struggling to clean the soil and ground water due to pollution from 1,4-Dioxane. As there is only one shared illegal dumping site, various efforts were made to create just one removal plan that would be beneficial to both stakeholders, however independent plans eventually won out. This paper illustrates the many twists and turns of administrative correspondence regarding this predicament, up until the Minister of the Environment agreed to the initial plans from both prefectures. Because the deadline for the Act on Special Measures for Specified Industrial Wastes will terminate the national subsidy for removing environmental nuisances in FY2022, it is suggested that the two prefectures must now make a concerted and strong effort to promote their current projects. They must fully understand one another and construct a cooperative system that will come to a mutual ending that benefits the projects they started.

View full abstract