Japan’s recycling system can be said to be unbeatable in the world, but is it really effective? Although the country recycled 77% of its plastic waste (McCurry, 2011) as of year 2010, the overall recycling rate was only 20% (Waste Atlas, n.d.). So what went wrong?
Firstly, government directives about waste disposal were mostly centered on public sanitation instead of resource recovery. Solid waste management was interpreted as having an efficient waste removal, by keeping trash away from the immediate living environment of the public, in order to protect public health (Gotoh, 1987). Less consideration was thus given to the after-life of the waste collected, and most trash is sent to landfill sites after incineration. This kind of solid waste management system has resulted in a new set of landfill site challenges for Japan, and which I will cover in my next blog post.
Secondly, the highly complicated recycling system can deter people from recycling. There are 10 categories of waste type for sorting and everyone is issued about a 27-page booklet with detailed instructions for 518 items (Onishi, 2005). Sorting trash at such precise level might be a little overwhelming, at least for me, and it can result in a backfire. In my opinion, Japan might be progressing too fast for its recycling program and it is not ensuring everyone does recycling correctly. According to an article by Kirby, residents focus much more on visible manifestations of waste compliance. This means that emphasis is placed on having the trash out in time at the collection point, with little verification on the type of trash inside. It is challenging for waste monitors to conduct checks on the waste bag of every household, as the trash bag issued are usually semi-translucent. In addition, waste monitors operate on a voluntary basis and it might be easier for them to take on a passive attitude on recycling. Consequently, residents develop a preoccupation with the container over the contained, or the form over the content (Kirby, 2011). Participating in waste collection is then seen as meeting waste compliance.
Thirdly, not everyone participates in recycling, especially Japanese man. Household chores, including recycling, is usually done by the wife (Onishi, 2005). The men are thus less exposed to recycling and could potentially be ‘left-out’ in the process. Burden on recycling then befalls on ladies in Japan. Another group that doesn’t actively engage in recycling are the younger generations. According to a news article, the “young, especially bachelors, are notorious for not sorting” (Onishi, 2005). This links back to my blog post about the Shinjinrui Consumer Culture, whereby the younger Japanese are less environmentally conscious than the older generation. With so many target population ‘left-out’ in recycling system, sustainability of the program is questionable.
Other problems associated with recycling are the cost of the program. Cost of sorting and recycling is comparable to waste incineration and is expected to rise further. Social hostility can also brew within communities as foreigners (foreign tenants) are assumed to not conduct recycling properly, creating local embarrassment to the landlord (Kirby, 2011). This is one factor why Japanese are reluctant to rent out houses to foreigners. Such mindset can then alter urban migration patterns and create another set of social problem.
In conclusion, the recycling program in Japan is flawed in many ways. Though Japanese seem to be disciplined in conducting recycling, some are not doing it properly. In my opinion, education is important and the government could slow down the recycling phase to ensure everyone participates correctly. More emphasis should be placed on the younger generation, as they will determine the sustainability of the program.
References
Gotoh, Sukehiro. 'Waste Management And Recycling Trends In Japan'. Resources and Conservation 14 (1987): 15-28. Web.
Kirby, Peter Wynn. Troubled Natures. Honolulu: University of Hawaiʻi Press, 2011. Print.
McCurry, Justin. 'Japan Streets Ahead In Global Plastic Recycling Race'. the Guardian. N.p., 2011. Web. Retrieved from http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/dec/29/japan-leads-field-plastic-recycling
Olmsted, J. Japan’s Recycling: More Efficient than USA. (2007). Web. Retrieved from http://www.minds.wisconsin.edu/bitstream/handle/1793/52921/Recycling.pdf?sequence=1
Onishi, Norimitsu. 'How Do Japanese Dump Trash? Let Us Count The Myriad Ways - New York Times'. Nytimes.com. N.p., 2005. Web. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2005/05/12/international/asia/12garbage.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0
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