A Gap Analysis in Selected Asian Countries, 3R Knowledge Hub ...

68
3R Gap Analysis and Findings
E-Waste Recycling in Japan
Source: www.3rkh.net
Personal Computer Recycling in Japan
Waste Type Collected Recycled Recycling Rate
(‘000) (‘000) %
Findings
Desktop PCs 4600 3220 70
Notebook PCs 6400 2560 40
CRT Displays 9150 6680 73
LCDs 2250 1440 64
E-WASTE
In 2001, Japan implemented a recycling system
for television sets, refrigerators, washing
machines, and air conditioners under the
Home Appliance Recycling Law. Recycling
and transportation fees are paid by
consumers, and discarded appliances are sent
to recycling facilities. Japan’s Law for
Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources
(often referred to as the Recycling Promotion
Law) was enacted in 1991 to promote
increased recycling of a variety of products
and materials. One of the major goals of the
law was the promotion of product designs that
facilitate waste reduction, recycling, and reuse.
In 2001, the law was revised to address
personal computers. It is estimated that 51%
of households in Japan own personal
computers accounting for a total of 24 million
units. This revised law embraces the principle
of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) by
requiring manufacturers to establish collection
and recycling systems for used computers. The
revised law requires manufacturers of small
batteries and electronic products that contain
them to establish a recovery system for
rechargeable batteries, including nickelcadmium,
nickel-metal hydride, lithium-ion,
and small sealed lead-acid batteries.
Apart from the level of recycling, various
other estimates put the number of Japanese
white goods dumped in rivers or at the side of
roads at around 20 million a year. Under
Japan’s Specified Home Appliance Recycling
(SHAR) Law, enacted in 1998 and entered into
force on 2001, manufacturers and importers of
washing machines, TV’s, air conditioners, and
refrigerators are required to take-back and
reuse and/or recycle the discarded products
they manufactured. Differentiated recycling
rates vary between 50-60% (by weight) among
the four product categories and can be
fulfilled through product reuse, component
reuse, and/or recycling. The domestic
electronics assembly industry is aggressively
pursuing the removal of lead from the
manufacturing process. In 1998, the Japanese
government increased levies for recycled
leaded equipment. It has established a target
of removal of 90% of lead for domestic
manufacturing. Amendments to the Law for
the Promotion of Effective Utilization of
Resources that are scheduled to take effect on
July 2006, require that importers will be
subject to directives in eight product
categories: personal computers (including
CRT and LCD displays), unit-type air
conditioners, televisions, microwave ovens,
clothes dryers, electric refrigerators, electric
washing machines and copying machines. Six
chemical substances (mercury, cadmium, lead,
hexavalent chromium, PBB, and PBDE) will be
subject to labeling and reporting
requirements.