{"id":1429,"date":"2024-06-13T01:00:00","date_gmt":"2024-06-12T16:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/news\/survey-on-preferences-for-the-operation-of-resource-recycling-council-conducted\/"},"modified":"2025-02-05T11:09:44","modified_gmt":"2025-02-05T02:09:44","slug":"survey-on-preferences-for-the-operation-of-resource-recycling-council-conducted","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/news\/survey-on-preferences-for-the-operation-of-resource-recycling-council-conducted\/","title":{"rendered":"\u201cSurvey on Preferences for the Operation of Resource Recycling Council\u201d Conducted"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Over 70% of companies\/organizations consider \u201cjoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d and \u201cPolicy Making\u201d <\/strong>as the activities they most expect from the council in the future<\/strong><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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About half of companies\/organizations cite \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d and \u201cdifferences in the interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management among local governments\u201d as challenges in promoting resource recycling<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Between May 17 and May 31, 2024, Resource Recycling Council conducted a \u201cSurvey on Preferences for the Operation of Resource Recycling Council\u201d (hereafter, \u201cthis survey\u201d) among all 147 organizations (members, sponsors, and Observers) as of the end of May 2024.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The survey was aimed at understanding members\u2019 views on the operation of Resource Recycling Council, as well as identifying current conditions and issues related to resource recycling promotion. Below are the main findings from this survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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These results will be used for Policy Making by the council and discussions within its working groups. We would like to express our gratitude to everyone who participated in the survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Key Findings]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2460Over 70% of companies\/organizations consider \u201cjoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d and \u201cPolicy Making\u201d as activities they expect from the council in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2461About 80% of companies\/organizations are interested in \u201cPromoting plastic material recycling to achieve the circular economy and carbon neutrality (including upstream-downstream collaboration and related legal systems).\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2462About half of companies\/organizations cite \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d and \u201cdifferences in the interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management among local governments\u201d as challenges in promoting resource recycling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u203bPercentage distributions in this survey are rounded to one decimal place, so totals may not sum to 100%.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Detailed Findings]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2460Over 70% of companies\/organizations consider \u201cjoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d and \u201cPolicy Making\u201d as activities they expect from the council in the future.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9In this survey of all members, sponsors, and Observers of the council, the most frequently selected response to \u201cActivities expected from the council in the future\u201d was \u201cJoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d (75%), followed by \u201cPolicy Making to promote resource recycling\u201d (70%).[Figure 1]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9When asked to choose only one activity expected from the council in the future, the top answer was \u201cJoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d (43%), followed by \u201cPolicy Making to promote resource recycling\u201d (17%).[Figure 2]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Figure 1]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Which future activities of the council do you expect? (Multiple answers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Figure 2]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Of the council\u2019s future activities, which one do you expect the most?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2461About 80% of companies\/organizations are interested in \u201cPromoting plastic material recycling to achieve the circular economy and carbon neutrality (including upstream-downstream collaboration and related legal systems).\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9In this survey of all members, sponsors, and Observers of the council, the most frequently selected \u201carea of interest\u201d was \u201cPromoting plastic material recycling to achieve the circular economy and carbon neutrality (including upstream-downstream collaboration and related legal systems)\u201d (75%), followed by \u201cCreating a decarbonized, low-environmental-impact regional circulation model\u201d (64%).[Figure 3]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9Regarding \u201csupport or requests expected of the council\u2019s future activities,\u201d respondents mentioned \u201cadvanced initiatives to socially implement resource recycling projects\u201d and \u201craising public awareness of the circular economy,\u201d among others.[Written Comment 1]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Figure 3]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Which activity areas are you interested in? (Multiple answers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Written Comment 1]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: What kind of support or requests do you have for the council\u2019s future activities? (Free response)
Note: Some wording has been modified to prevent identification of specific member companies or organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bSome wording has been modified to prevent identification of specific member companies or organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25aa Many communities concerning the circular economy and resource recycling have emerged recently, but we hope that the council will pursue unique activities without merely comparing itself to other organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We anticipate advanced initiatives to socially implement resource recycling projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We offer a wide range of public-private collaboration support services, such as how to utilize subsidies or conduct lobbying. Please let us know if there\u2019s anything we can do to support the council\u2019s activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We hope the council will raise public interest in the circular economy through PR activities and events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We look forward to case studies, promotions of companies advancing resource recycling, and updates on Policy Making progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We would like to learn about the resource recycling initiatives of upstream companies and have opportunities for business matching.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We hope the council will accelerate the realization of a Japanese version of the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and work on international collaboration (with the EU, for example).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aaWe expect the council to contribute to the realization of the circular economy across various industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We hope that by 2030, the council will serve as a platform for integrating Japan\u2019s SDGs initiatives toward solving social issues, sharing information, practices, and outcomes, and becoming a hub of social innovation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We hope the council will strengthen branding for the resource recycling industry and revamp any negative image that still lingers in certain regions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We would like to see the council make Policy Making proposals to address the issues identified in the survey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aaWe hope to gain access to information on trends among member companies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u25aa We expect activities aimed not only at downstream industries but also at integrating upstream and downstream industries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u2462About half of companies\/organizations cite \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d and \u201cdifferences in the interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management among local governments\u201d as challenges in promoting resource recycling.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9n this survey of all members, sponsors, and Observers of the council, the most frequently cited challenge in promoting resource recycling was \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d (53%), followed by \u201cdifferences in the interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management among local governments\u201d (47%).[Figure 4]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9When asked to choose only one option regarding \u201cchallenges in promoting resource recycling,\u201d the top answer was \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d (26%), followed by \u201cWe want to switch to material recycling, but there are no subsidies or incentives for increased costs\u201d (19%).[Figure 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u25c9A variety of opinions were provided from multiple perspectives about \u201cspecific challenges and potential solutions for promoting resource recycling efforts.\u201d[Written Comment 2]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Figure 4]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Which areas do you find challenging in promoting resource recycling initiatives? (Multiple answers)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Figure 5]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: Among the areas of promoting resource recycling initiatives, which one do you find the most challenging?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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[Written Comment 2]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Q: What specific challenges do you see in promoting resource recycling initiatives? Please also provide any proposed solutions. (Free response)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u203bSome wording has been modified to prevent identification of specific member companies or organizations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Challenge<\/strong> 1:<\/strong> Numerous regulations make compliance complicated\u8ab2\u984c<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
1-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Long working hours and time constraints for drivers are subject to different requirements under the Labor Standards Act, the Road Transport Act, the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, etc., resulting in complex operational management.
\u2461Local governments are not fully implementing the guidelines or direction set out in Ministry of the Environment directives (technical advice under Article 245-4, Paragraph 1 of the Local Autonomy Act).
\u2462While a joint government-private sector solution is desired, the challenges among different stakeholders in resource recycling are not readily visible.
\u2463
Sometimes waste generators, disposal operators, and even government officials do not fully understand all regulations. It also seems that local governments are losing staff with technical expertise.<\/td><\/tr>
1-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Promote initiatives to expand employment for drivers.
Other: Implement Policy Making proposals for regulatory relaxation from relevant industries.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge<\/strong> 2<\/strong>: <\/strong>Desire to launch a resource recycling business, <\/strong>but uncertain about long-term viability<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
2-1: Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Insufficient economic feasibility for products made from recycled materials.
\u2461Economic feasibility is essential, and even with it, there are concerns about whether market demand will remain stable over time.<\/td><\/tr>
2-2: Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Providing policy incentives for companies and consumers could accelerate the market formation for products made from recycled materials.
\u2461Enhanced product development capabilities for items using recycled materials are needed.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge 3: Desire to shift to material recycling, but no subsidies<\/strong> or<\/strong> incentives<\/strong> to offset increased costs<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
3-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460No incentives currently exist to encourage material recycling.
\u2461Private businesses face barriers to entering local resource collection systems, making it difficult to design incentives for resource collection.
\u2462Simple crushing of gypsum board and its use for soil improvement carry low investment risk, which hinders the adoption of horizontal recycling facilities. Some regions allow this method, but it should be regulated. If subsidies were provided for horizontal recycling, more facilities would be introduced.
\u2463Regulations on sorting methods and waste collection timing are ambiguous, and notification to each company is not thorough, so penalties and other deterrents are not functioning. There is also insufficient development of subsidies or other measures to encourage companies to focus on resource recycling.<\/td><\/tr>
3-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Tax reductions for material recycling products.
\u2461Local governments grant private businesses the rights needed to create resource collection hubs and shift to recycling-based operations.
\u2462 In the nationwide unified permit system being developed by the Ministry of the Environment, include gypsum board horizontal recycling to differentiate it from other recycling methods. Gypsum board raw material is generated in the desulfurization process of coal-fired power plants, but this source is expected to decrease, leading to potential increases in manufacturing costs. A system is needed that provides one-third subsidies for horizontal recycling facilities and recycles raw materials back into gypsum board rather than using them for soil improvement. If an annual subsidy of around 5 billion yen is continued for about 10 years, Japan\u2019s gypsum board recycling rate would approach nearly 100% for the first time in the world.
\u2463Introducing subsidies, establishing clear rules, and strictly enforcing penalties for noncompliance would be effective.
Other: Develop systems for subsidies and incentives.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge<\/strong> 4<\/strong>: No established network for collecting small,<\/strong> dispersed resources<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
4-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460 If collection is assumed, it may be highly inefficient in terms of cost, environmental impact, and productivity.
\u2461Many products are incinerated, yet customers are demanding the creation of recyclable systems.<\/td><\/tr>
4-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Strengthen collaboration beyond private businesses, including cooperation with local governments and administrative bodies.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge 5: Differences in interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management<\/strong> among local governments<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
5-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Government support is essential, but subsidies, etc., are paid retroactively, making it hard for new organizations or groups to cover the minimum operating costs at startup.
\u2461Building a city-wide recycling scheme requires verifying legal compliance for each local government, which is cumbersome and poses a high barrier.
\u2462There are differences in how each local government leader values resource recycling within their vision or future-oriented plans, which sometimes hinders progress.
\u2463Even when citizens wish to join the recycling process, varying and complex collection systems in each local government often result in improper resource collection and utilization.
\u2464While there is high demand for recycling plastic waste, each manufacturer uses different plastic specifications, making unified processing difficult and increasing the time and cost required.<\/td><\/tr>
5-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Establish support, such as \u201cinitial operating funds,\u201d that can be used at the startup phase.
\u2461Simplify the application process for ministerial certification related to recycling, make registration for transporting collected materials easier, and lower the bar for obtaining ministerial certification, making it more accessible.
\u2462Standardize best practices domestically and provide educational learning opportunities via clear regulations and incentives to reduce disparities between local governments.
\u2463Make collection systems straightforward so citizens can easily join the recycling loop. Concretely, visualize how collected resources return to the community (e.g., generating biogas from food waste for use in city buses).
\u2464Encourage compliance with standard system designs.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge 6<\/strong>: Inability to create products using locally<\/strong> available recycled materials<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
6-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Legal frameworks are needed to facilitate cooperation across the entire industry.<\/td><\/tr>
6-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenges<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Private businesses and organizations capable of leading the industry should collaborate on solutions.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Challenge 7: <\/strong>Issues with the quality or quantity of materials<\/strong> under consideration for recycling<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
7-1:Aspects perceived as problematic<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460Upcycled products cannot surpass existing products in terms of quality and cost. Efforts to change consumer awareness are needed, and individual company efforts have limitations.
\u2461 Confidence in using products made from recycled materials requires a certain quality level and stability, which may be lacking. Even high-quality recycled materials have limited supply.<\/td><\/tr>
7-2:Proposed solutions to address these challenge<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>
\u2460 Encourage proactive consumer behavior change through national policy initiatives and efforts to influence consumer consumption patterns.
\u2461Establish infrastructure that consolidates and highly sorts recycled materials lacking in consistent quality or stability to ensure a stable, high-quality supply.<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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[Survey Overview]<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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| Purpose<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The survey aimed to understand members\u2019 views on the operation of Resource Recycling Council, as well as current conditions and challenges related to resource recycling promotion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The results of this survey will be utilized for Policy Making by the council and for discussions within its working groups. We thank everyone who participated for their cooperation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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| Target<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

All 147 members, sponsors, and Observers of Resource Recycling Council (as of the end of May 2024)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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| Number of Responses<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

47 (response rate: 31.97%)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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| Survey Method<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Online<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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| Survey Period<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

May 17 to May 31, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Over 70% of companies\/organizations consider \u201cjoint pilot projects with other businesses to promote resource recycling\u201d and \u201cPolicy Making\u201d as the activities they most expect from the council in the future About half of companies\/organizations cite \u201cnumerous regulations leading to complicated compliance\u201d and \u201cdifferences in the interpretation of resource recycling\/waste management among local governments\u201d as challenges […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1119,"template":"","tags":[],"class_list":["post-1429","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news\/1429","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/news"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1119"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1429"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rrc.or.jp\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1429"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}