Japan looks at 'shared responsibility'

Although all the details haven't been made clear, cities will present plans to Japan's prefectures and finally to the Ministry of Health & Welfare. Within two years, aluminum, steel and glass must be collected, plastics and paper by 1998. The plan appears to hinge on increases in garbage fees based on volume, with recycling being mandatory. Price increases on products sold to consumers is expected to be relatively small, at least at the outset. Japan's industries currently recycle at about 40% of waste, but municipalities only recaptured about 3.4% in 1991 (latest figure). It appears that thermal, chemical and other types of non-mechanical recycling will be feasible under the plan.