Toshihide Kasutani

Environmental Policy Division, Industrial Location and Environmental Protection Bureau, Ministry of International Trade and Industry
(1-2-3, Kasumigaseki, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100 Japan)

Abstract

In October 1991, the Law for the Promotion of Utilization of Recycled Resources came into effect in order to manage the problems from proliferating wastes. The law aims at utilization of recycled resources, which results in the reduction of wastes and environmental protection. Under the law, the Ministers concerned establish fundamental principles for promoting recycling, and require business entities 1) to use recycled resources as input for production, 2) to design products which are easily recyclable, 3) to attach an indication which facilitates separation by material during recycling process, and 4) to process by-products so that they are recycled more. To establish recycling mechanism in our society, further measures are required, including the dissemination of related information.

Key words: recycled resources, recycling, waste problem, utilization of resources, environmental protection