Hiroe Sakai

Member of the Running Committee, Citizens' Group on the Waste Problem
(4-24-7 Kotehashidai, Hanamigawa-ku, Chiba-city, Chiba 262-0005 Japan)

Abstract

As a recycling law aimed at the individual in Japan, the Home Appliance Recycling Law can be placed after the Container and Package Recycling Law. Both laws are characterized by their highlighting of producers' obligation to recycling the wastes that have been passed on to consumers. But both laws also omit reference to the issues of waste reduction and waste re-use which are highly important as measures against the waste problem. This means that even though these laws aim to build a recycling-based society, the laws do not deal with the issues at the top end of the process. In other words, they cannot legally question the responsibilities of manufacturers or enterprises. If we don't venture into this untouched sphere the door to a recycling-based society will remain closed. Will the Home Appliance Recycling Law be able to open that door?

Key words: manufacturers' responsibility, enterprises' responsibility, enlarged producer responsibility (EPR), polluter pays principle (PPP), obligation of collection, wastes that are difficult to treat or manage properly, paying the cost at the time of disposal, reduction of waste