It is no secret that plastic is probably the worst thing that happened to this planet. A synthetic material that takes forever to degrade and disappear from our planet.?
Every day tons of plastic waste (among other kinds of waste) lands in waste dumps and this waste has been severely harming the environment too.?
However, looks like Japan wants to start the change of proper management of waste. The authorities in Japan revealed yesterday that they now plan to collect all kinds of plastic waste from households for recycling.
Reported first by the Japan Times, this plan is being executed with a view to making the process of recycling easier while also recycling large amounts of plastic waste that would otherwise land in garbage dumps. This plan was approved at a joint meeting which involved expert groups of environment and economic ministries.
The Japanese government has stated that it will draw up new legislation to implement the plan and request municipalities to collect all plastic waste together. Authorities aim to launch the system by the year 2022, or later.?
As of now, around 70 percent of Japan municipalities collect plastic containers and packaging (which usually includes food containers, bags, shampoo bottles etc) which are sent off to recycling plants. However, some products like toothbrushes, stationery goods, are either incinerated or dumped in waste dumps.
However, now Japan's authorities will consider all plastic waste as recyclable waste and will only exclude large garbage and small home appliances.?
An analysis by Japan's Environment Ministry and others revealed that around 66 percent of plastic waste from households includes only container and packaging. Around 18 percent includes plastic bottles and 16 percent are categorized as other plastic products.
Experts claim that by collecting all kinds of waste, it¡¯ll be easier for Japan to sort out the plastic waste and result in an efficient disposal of plastic pollution waste, should the need arise.?