- 14 Mar 2002
- 21,054
- 18,910
Production of plastic bottles in Japan has jumped to a staggering 23.2 billion annually; Japan generated 32.4kg of plastic packaging waste per capita (2014); Japan is the largest exporter of plastic waste: the country exported 820,000 tonnes of plastic waste to South East Asian countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, and Taiwan – roughly 46% of the total, etc. etc.
Japan recycles an impressive 85% of its plastic waste. Still, it is a challenge to curb the generation of packaging waste when you live in Japan. BBC correspondent Melinda Joe embarked on her private plastic challenge, trying to cut out single-use plastic over the course of a week.
It's also worth looking at Japan's neighbours: South Korea has taken firm action to combat an 18.9% increase in plastic waste brought on by lifestyle changes related to the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. Last September, the government pledged to reduce plastic use by 2030 and aims to become a plastic-free society by 2050.
No Plastic Japan
Nue
Bulk shopping in Tokyo
An app with maps of refilling stations around central Tokyo
Plastic Waste Management Institute
Japan recycles an impressive 85% of its plastic waste. Still, it is a challenge to curb the generation of packaging waste when you live in Japan. BBC correspondent Melinda Joe embarked on her private plastic challenge, trying to cut out single-use plastic over the course of a week.
It's also worth looking at Japan's neighbours: South Korea has taken firm action to combat an 18.9% increase in plastic waste brought on by lifestyle changes related to the Covid-19 pandemic between 2020 and 2021. Last September, the government pledged to reduce plastic use by 2030 and aims to become a plastic-free society by 2050.
Quitting single-use plastic in Japan
Japan is one of the world's biggest plastic waste producers, thanks to its love of packaging - but a week of going plastic-free in Tokyo reveals surprising solutions.
Links:
No Plastic Japan
のーぷら No Plastic Japan
No Plastic Japan aims to reduce the use of disposable plastics in Japan. We try to raise awareness of the issue, and also provide ideas on plastic-alternative products – starting with straws. のーぷら No Plastic Japan は、使い捨てプラスチックの利用を減らすことを推進しています。啓発活動に加え、プラスチック製の代わりに使える商品をご紹介します。まずは、ストローから。
Nue
Bulk shopping in Tokyo
エコな「量り売り」東京にあるお店16選！｜BETTER CHOICE
近年増えている量り売りのお店。自分の容器を持ち込み、好きなものを好きな分量だけ購入する、エコな生活として話題となっていま
An app with maps of refilling stations around central Tokyo
mymizu 日本初給水アプリ refill app and sustainability movement
日本に給水文化を根付かせ、使い捨てプラスチックに頼らない社会をつくる ー そして、一人ひとりの行動、習慣を変えて、豊かでサステナブルな地球を取り戻す。地球、健康、そして財布に優しい給水を、日本の新しい文化へ。At mymizu we’re on a mission to help people live more sustainably - in ways that are fun, easy and good for the planet. By co-creating tools and community - like our free refill app - we’re buildi
Plastic Waste Management Institute
一般社団法人 プラスチック循環利用協会
一般社団法人 プラスチック循環利用協会は、廃プラスチックを適切に処理し、資源として有効に利用するシステムを確立するための研究開発を行い、その普及を図っています。廃プラスチックの有効利用技術の研究開発とモデル実験の実施、技術の普及、調査研究、広報活動など、上記の目的を達成するため各種の事業を行っています。