Atsuhiko Sano and Shin'ichiro Tatemichi

Community Policy Institute
(9FL, 1-12-5 Sumiyoshi-cho, Naka-ku, Yokohama 231, Japan)

Abstract

Mandatory Deposit-refund-system is one of the economic instruments for waste reduction and resource recycling. There are many examples of this system for beverage containers, dry batteries, home electric appliances, cars and so on in North American and European countries. In this article, we analyze ways of sharing costs, merits and demerits of typical models and discuss the expected problems in case of installing this into Japan.

Key words: waste reduction, resource recycling, deposit-refund-system, beverage container