We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Policy of Plastic Waste Reduction: A Case of Kanagawa Zero Plastic Waste Declaration
Summary
This paper examines Kanagawa Prefecture's zero plastic waste declaration and its follow-through policies, including Japan's national mandatory plastic bag fee introduced in 2020. The study evaluates how local government actions complement national regulation in reducing plastic pollution. It offers lessons for other regional governments seeking to go beyond minimum regulatory requirements on plastic waste.
Marine plastics and microplastics become the global problem. In Japan the mandatory charge for a plastic bag was introduced as the plastic measure. Kanagawa Prefecture, located in Japan's metropolitan area, has implemented advanced plastic measures. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of local governments concurring with the approved. Therefore, this paper considers Kanagawa zero plastic waste declaration and the efforts of the local government approving．Kanagawa is divided into four areas: urban areas, coastal areas, inland, and mountainous region. This paper analyzes the method for zero plastic waste.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Survey and analysis on the use and disposal of plastic shopping bags before and after the introduction of charges
Japan's 2020 mandatory charge on single-use plastic bags reduced the number of bags taken by consumers by roughly 70%, from about 5.8 bags per person per week to under 2, and this reduction held steady through 2023. The study also found that municipalities with separate designated-bag waste policies already used fewer plastic shopping bags before the charge, suggesting that complementary waste policies amplify each other's effectiveness.
Environmental Burden of Household Plastic Waste Management under Municipality-Level Policy Adaptation: A Case Study of Okayama City, Japan
Researchers assessed the environmental burden of household plastic waste management in Okayama City, Japan following a 2024 policy shift to separate collection and intermediate processing of plastics, examining how municipality-level policy adaptation affects life-cycle environmental outcomes compared to incineration-based approaches.
Recycling Laws and Their Evaluation in Japan
Japan's suite of recycling laws — covering packaging, appliances, vehicles, construction materials, and food waste — is reviewed alongside the emerging microplastics problem and Japan's policy responses to it. The paper highlights that existing recycling frameworks were not designed with microplastics in mind, creating regulatory gaps that need to be addressed as plastic debris increasingly fragments into microscale particles.
New Challenges for Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Japan
This review examines how China's 2018 ban on importing waste plastics forced Japan and the United States to confront domestic plastic recycling challenges, analyzing policy responses at the G7 level and evaluating the structural barriers and emerging strategies for building sustainable plastic recycling infrastructure.
Sustainable Waste Management in Japan: Challenges, Achievements, and Future Prospects: A Review
This review examines Japan's approach to sustainable waste management, analyzing the country's policies, achievements, and ongoing challenges. Researchers highlighted Japan's comprehensive recycling programs, advanced waste-to-energy infrastructure, and the cultural practices that support waste reduction. The study identifies remaining issues including managing plastic waste and adapting systems for an aging population with changing consumption patterns.