Historical evolution and development of waste management and recycling systems—analysis of Japan's experiences

Abstract

This paper comprehensively analyzes the historical evolution of waste treatment and recycling practices in Japan since 1950s when the rapid economic development started, particularly looking into societal background conditions, policy responses, and technological aspects in an integrated manner. Based on statistical data related to waste management and relevant documents, we discuss that Japanese waste management and policies evolved from reactive and end-of-pipe approaches that primarily focused on safe disposal and incineration to more integral and proactive policies with recycling practices. The most recent trend after the year 2000 is best characterized in the integration of two different governmental policies: i.e., realizing a sound material-cycle and low-carbon society. From the overall analyses, three key characteristics associated with waste management system are particularly highlighted: (1) reliance on incineration as a means to reduce waste volume, (2) material recycling with ambitious recycling targets for specific wastes, and (3) an integral resource management approach that stresses not only improvement in energy and material recovery but also an increase in resource productivity. We also discuss technological and system innovations related to waste management by exploring two specific cases of incineration system and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottle recycling. Regulations and incentives by governmental policies are found to have been effective in that they triggered the technological and system innovations necessary to achieve recycling targets. Japan's experiences on historical waste management and policy designs for technology and system innovations shall provide important lessons for other rapidly developing countries just facing increasing wastes volumes and a critical challenge of building sustainable waste management systems. It is indispensable to enhance international cooperation to share essential knowledge about waste management and recycling schemes.