JP Containers and Packaging Recycling Act (Act on Promotion of Sorted Collection and Recycling of Containers and Packaging)
ENFORCEMENT TIMELINE
Fully enforced April 2000 (Annual mandatory recycling procedures in April)
Overview
The Containers and Packaging Recycling Act is designed to reduce and recycle waste containers and packaging, such as glass bottles, PET bottles, paper-based containers and packaging, and plastic containers and packaging, which make up a large share of general waste. It establishes a division of roles among consumers (sorted disposal), municipalities (sorted collection), and designated businesses (recycling), placing a recycling obligation on businesses that use, manufacture, or import containers and packaging.
Enforcement Timeline
1995: The Containers and Packaging Recycling Act is enacted.
April 1997: The first stage of the sorted collection and recycling obligation takes effect, covering glass bottles and PET bottles.
April 2000: Paper-based and plastic containers and packaging are added, bringing the act into full effect.
July 2020: Mandatory charging for plastic shopping bags is introduced nationwide.
Business Impact
Businesses that sell products using containers or packaging, such as food, daily goods, retail, and distribution companies, along with manufacturers and importers of containers, bear a recycling obligation proportional to the volume of containers and packaging they use, fulfilled either by entrusting recycling to a designated organization or through voluntary collection.
Lightweighting packaging, shifting to biomass or recycled materials, and annually calculating and reporting usage volumes are key compliance requirements for businesses.