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

Author

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  • Aizawa, Hirofumi
  • Yoshida, Hideto
  • Sakai, Shin-ichi

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Aizawa, Hirofumi & Yoshida, Hideto & Sakai, Shin-ichi, 2008. "Current results and future perspectives for Japanese recycling of home electrical appliances," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 52(12), pages 1399-1410.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:recore:v:52:y:2008:i:12:p:1399-1410
    DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2008.07.013
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Kaihua & Wu, Yufeng & Wang, Wei & Li, Bin & Zhang, Yinan & Zuo, Tieyong, 2015. "Recycling indium from waste LCDs: A review," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 104(PA), pages 276-290.
    2. Dou, Yijie & Sarkis, Joseph, 2013. "A multiple stakeholder perspective on barriers to implementing China RoHS regulations," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 92-104.
    3. Yoshida, Aya & Terazono, Atsushi & Ballesteros, Florencio C. & Nguyen, Duc-Quang & Sukandar, Sunandar & Kojima, Michikazu & Sakata, Shozo, 2016. "E-waste recycling processes in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam: A case study of cathode ray tube TVs and monitors," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 106(C), pages 48-58.
    4. Khor, Kuan Siew & Udin, Zulkifli Mohamed, 2013. "Reverse logistics in Malaysia: Investigating the effect of green product design and resource commitment," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 81(C), pages 71-80.
    5. Ardente, Fulvio & Mathieux, Fabrice & Recchioni, Marco, 2014. "Recycling of electronic displays: Analysis of pre-processing and potential ecodesign improvements," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 158-171.
    6. Manomaivibool, Panate & Hong, Jong Ho, 2014. "Two decades, three WEEE systems: How far did EPR evolve in Korea's resource circulation policy?," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 83(C), pages 202-212.
    7. Hickle, Garth T., 2014. "An examination of governance within extended producer responsibility policy regimes in North America," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 55-65.
    8. Gu, Yifan & Wu, Yufeng & Xu, Ming & Wang, Huaidong & Zuo, Tieyong, 2016. "The stability and profitability of the informal WEEE collector in developing countries: A case study of China," Resources, Conservation & Recycling, Elsevier, vol. 107(C), pages 18-26.

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