On my first trip to Japan when I went to nearby convenience store to buy some food, I was amazed to see each banana wrapped individually in plastic. Apples, pears wrapped in Styrofoam on a polystyrene tray, then wrapped in plastic film. Initially, I considered that very hygienic and was fascinated about it. Individually wrapped Banana Gradually, I began to understand that apart from just hygienic, something big is going on. Japan is obsessed with over usage of plastics in their daily lives. You can see them everywhere from fruits or vegetables packaging, individually wrapped cookies, chocolates, double or triple layer packaging of bento, plastic bags usage on all stores for shopping, and many more such examples. This is the reason, why Japan plastic packaging waste contributes to around 70% of all plastic waste generated. Japan plastic packaging is 70% of overall plastic waste generated Each vegetable wrapped in plastic Why does Japan use more plastic? Hygiene – Japan is obsessed with
It is interesting to read articles written from a foreigner’s point of view! Because it is our normal life and we (Japanese) don’t think about it so much.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, each one of us needs to follow the rules and it is not easy here in Japan as well. Garbage truck driver doesn’t collect if segregation is not properly done and leave it with sticker to have “the owner“ of garbage to re-segregate it. In some area, people have to write name on the garbage bag :-o
Thank you for your valuable feedback. I understand that there is ownership of the garbage if it is not segregated properly.
DeleteThe least we can do for our planet is to segregate our garbage properly as per city government guidelines.
This is a comment from Japan.
ReplyDeleteIt was a good sentence about the garbage problem. I was able to reconfirm the recycling activities.
[About rules in japan]
Municipalities have set schedules and rules, and collects plastic and burning garbage every day of the week.
Therefore, we segregate plastic, burning garbage, bottles, cans, and paper at home.
[About 1. education]
When I was in elementary school, I learned about the garbage problem and the 3R movement.
3R stands for 1.Reduce 2.Reuse 3.Recycle.
Reduce: Reduce resources when making products. Reduce waste generation.
Reuse; Repeated use of used products.
Recycle: Recycle waste as raw materials and energy.
I have been learning about garbage since I was a child by learning from elementary school and classifying at home.
[About 2.high focus on recycling]
Aluminum cans, steel cans, bottles, and PET bottles have a mark to distinguish them.
We sort based on that.
[About 3.Discouraging plastic consumption]
With the charge for plastic shopping bags at supermarkets, the number of people who carry eco-bags around them has increased.
I also carry it with me when shopping.
[Segregating garbage to save planet earth]
Using waste, 380 waste-to-energy plants produced 3.21 million households' annual consumption of 9.6 billion kWh in 2018.
(Calculated as 2974kWh of annual power consumption per household)
[From the National Institute for Environmental Studies japan website]
A garbage disposal facility near my house produces electricity from garbage and uses it to run the pool.
[do your bit. start small.]
I have started myself, but I think that using an eco bag or a water bottle is a familiar and easy thing that can be done for garbage problems.
thank you!
Dear Furuhashi san,
DeleteI am very happy to see your detailed analysis on the blog post. The information you gave is really helpful for better understanding on the subject.
I will be writing more about climate change.
And i definitely need your views with respect to Japan.
Thank you so much.. !!!
It is generally said that charging for plastic shopping bags is to reduce plastic waste, but the real purpose is not. (About 0.4% of Japanese garbage is plastic shopping bags)
ReplyDeleteThe politician who proposed the system says, The real purpose is to make the people aware of the problems of plastic waste that are occurring all over the world.
Few people understand the environmental problems that plastics. It is important that people are aware of the problem. As you say, everyone's small efforts will be of great help to the planet and the next generation. I agree with you.
Raika San, i really like your information about charging for plastics bag being a creative idea to make people aware about this problem. Although the contribution of plastics by bags is very less, but we can create awareness among people.
DeleteThank you for your different perspective on this..
It was a very interesting content, and although I am Japanese, I learned a lot.
ReplyDeleteIt is common sense for Japanese people to garbage segregation, but not many people know how to use the separated garbage.
So it was a good opportunity to reconfirn the importance of garbage segregation.
Tomohiro San, I think we need to create more awareness among people about importance of Garbage segregation.
DeleteWe can work together and educate more people we come in contact with.
Thank you for sharing your valuable inputs
I was surprised that you have done a very detailed research on waste segregation in Japan.
ReplyDeleteI have lived in several Japanese prefectures, each municipality has some different waste segregation, in some areas plastic and combustible garbage are not separated.
I am wondering how the garbage separation in India works.
As you know, Japan has the problem of producing extra plastic waste due to the luxurious packaging. I think it is difficult for sales companies to voluntarily stop luxury packaging because they have to make a profit. We Japanese need to more focus on environmental issues and evaluate environmentally friendly products.
It is wonderful that you are willing to learn from another country after discovering its good points . I felt that I had to learn from your attitude.
Thank you Shimojo San for your kind words. You have an amazing personality and attitude towards life.
DeleteI agree with you on point that Japan uses much plastic for packaging products. I also felt that, when i was in Japan. I think, people should discourage the products which uses excessive plastics and try to adopt minimalist concept in daily living.
I hope we can create more awareness.