Current results and future perspectives for Japanese recycling of home electrical appliances

Hirofumi Aizawa, Hideto Yoshida and Shin-ichi Sakai

Resources, Conservation & Recycling, 2008, vol. 52, issue 12, 1399-1410

Abstract: The Japanese system of recycling home electrical appliances has several unique aspects, including (1) a limited number of target appliances, (2) a recycling fee system that requires consumers to pay a recycling fee at the time of disposal, and (3) a direct recycling obligation for manufacturers, who have a physical, rather than a financial, responsibility for their end-of-life products. We studied data from 2001 to 2007 and found that the amount of four specified home electrical appliances and their materials that was recycled increased from about 319,249tonnes in 2001 to about 447,262tonnes—or 3.5kg per inhabitant—in 2006. Recycling yield and development of recycling technologies have also improved. New recycling technologies have enabled a higher rate of material recycling of plastics (i.e., a closed-loop recycling). Improved eco-design, such as design for easier disassembly, has been promoted, and the higher quality of discarded appliances has enhanced the reuse market. Hazardous substances and fluorocarbons are being well managed. Problems with the recycling system include inelastic recycling fees, illegal dumping, illegal transfer by retailers, and the limited number of target appliances. Recycling fees could be reduced; this move might reduce the incidence of illegal dumping, as would engage stakeholders in collaborative efforts against illegal dumping. Illegal transfers could be reduced by improved traceability for retailers. Products such as liquid crystal displays, plasma display panels and clothes dryers have become increasingly common and should be also be targeted for recycling.

Keywords: Eco-design; Material Flow Analysis; WEEE; Recycle; Reuse; Recycling policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2008
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (8)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:recore:v:52:y:2008:i:12:p:1399-1410

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.07.013

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