EMS2EM Engineering Materials: China's Plastic Ban Impact on Japan

This report analyzes the significant impact of China's 2018 ban on the import of plastic waste on Japan's waste management practices. Prior to the ban, Japan exported a substantial amount of plastic waste to China; however, the ban led to a drastic reduction in exports, causing significant challenges for Japan's recycling infrastructure. The report details the immediate responses of the Japanese government, including emergency measures for industrial waste disposal. It then explores the long-term alternative solutions implemented, such as increased investment in recycling technologies to convert waste plastics into chemical raw materials and the establishment of specific targets for businesses to restructure, remanufacture, and phase out plastic products. Furthermore, the report highlights campaigns promoting reduced plastic reliance and the adoption of eco-friendly materials. The conclusion emphasizes the importance of consumer education and cultural shifts to achieve effective plastic waste management.

THE IMPACT OF PLASTIC BAN BY CHINA TO JAPAN
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Plastic Waste Management
Introduction
In January of 2018, China made a pronouncement that would have an effect globally. The
country had made a decision to halt its entire works on recycling programs which was the
industry’s biggest market in the world (Brooks,Wang & Jambeck 2018). The ban had a far
reaching impact universally especially on plastic production and solid waste management (Wang
et.al 2019).
The Impact
Before the year 2018, Japan was exporting 1.5 million tons of plastics of which 60-70 % was
being exported to China. After the ban, Japan exported only 50,000 tons of plastics to China in
2018 but in earlier years, that was the amount that was exported to China each month. In the year
2019, the amount even reduced further to approximately to 1000 and 2000 tons per month
(Nippon 2019).
Due to this ban, the Environment Ministry of Japan ordered the metropolises to take and dispose
of industrial plastic waste as an emergency responsive step since the quantity of such was had
been increasing since China banned imports. These local governments have been collecting and
disposing only the household waste and the industrial waste was being handled by the recycling
businesses (McCurry 2019).This ban caused a turmoil Japan as the government tousled to come
up with other alternative ways to recycle the nationwide plastic waste. Previously, Japan has
been applying the 3Rs policy which mean Reduce, Reuse and Recycle which has been effective
due to their strict waste separation rules that are observed country wide(Dodbiba & Fujita).
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Plastic Waste Management
Alternative long-term solutions
The Japanese government came up with alternatives ways of handling the plastic waste in the
country. The first long term alternative that Japan has identified and implemented is recycling.
23% of the plastic bottles collected are recycled materially and recycled chemically. The
government invested more in technology to convert waste plastics into chemical raw materials
by use of coke ovens (Nomura 2017). In the year 2019 more Japanese companies invested in
plastic recycling facilities in order to deal with an increase in bottles and used home electronics
that are outstanding in the country after the ban. A company like Suntory holdings came up with
a technology that reduces carbon emissions from the container manufacturing which was adopted
by Kyoei Sangyo, a plastic-bottle recycling company in northern region of the country.
Recycling companies who have been in the field for a long time also been strengthened their
abilities to accommodate the change. A company by the name Daiei Kankyo invested 1.5 billion
yen in the year 2019, in order to be taking in the plastic waste that China would accept to take in
previously. It constructed a plant that will recycle this plastic waste and it shall double its
handling capacity each year (Shibata 2019).
Secondly, Japan launched specific targets for business corporations to restructure,
remanufacture, and supplement and substitute or completely phase out the plastic products. A
good example is the ongoing preparation for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games, the sectors have
been called on to reduce excessive packaging for all products related to the event and they should
use biodegradable materials as an alternative. (Muchangos 2018).Media houses in Japan came up
with campaigns to promote trends and culture that would reduce the reduce reliance on plastic
and finding alternatives to plastic drinking straws and using reusable bags. In the year 2019,a
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Plastic Waste Management
business magazine in the country by the name Diamond put up articles on more ecological
materials instead of plastics.
Conclusion
Plastic management can be achieved if the country’s consumers are educated consistently until a
culture is developed in them. A simple actions like reusing containers to store leftovers or when
shopping in bulk, buying boxes instead of plastic bottles especially when purchasing detergents
can go a long way in plastic waste management.
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Plastic Waste Management
References
Brooks, A. L., Wang, S., & Jambeck, J. R. (2018). The Chinese import ban and its impact on global plastic waste
trade. Science advances, 4(6), eaat0131.
Nippon 2019. Chinese Ban Leaves Plastic Waste with Nowhere to Go. Retrieved from URL
https://www.nippon.com/en/japan-data/h00473/chinese-ban-leaves-plastic-waste-with-nowhere-to-go.html
McCurry J. 2019. Japan's plastic problem: Tokyo spearheads push at G20 to tackle waste. Retrieved from URL
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/27/japans-plastic-problem-tokyo-spearheads-push-at-g20-to-
tackle-waste
Dodbiba, G., & Fujita, T. (2004). Progress in separating plastic materials for recycling. Physical Separation in
Science and Engineering, 13(3-4), 165-182.
Nomura, S. (2017). Recent developments in cokemaking technologies in Japan. Fuel Processing Technology, 159,
1-8.
Shibata N.2019. Plastic recycling attracts investment in Japan after China ban. Retrieved from
https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Plastic-recycling-attracts-investment-in-Japan-after-China-
ban
Muchangos L 2018. China’s Waste Ban is a Wake-up Call for Japan. Retrieved from URL
https://ourworld.unu.edu/en/chinas-waste-ban-is-a-wake-up-call-for-japan
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