Waste Management from a Broader Perspective - Lessons Learned from Japan's Experiences

Waste Management from a Broader Perspective

Lessons learned from Japan’s Experiences

Junko Edahiro

Japan for SustainabilityInstitute for the Studies in Happiness, Economy and

Society

Copyright (C) e’s Inc. All rights reserved. 2Copyright Hiroshi Takatsuki All Rights Reserved.

Five lessons from Japan’s experiences

1. Take holistic views and approaches2. Expect what coming as economy grows3. Focus on upstream4. Use waste management interventions for

fostering social capital 5. Retaining is much easier than losing and

regaining

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共有したい５つの教訓とメッセージ

1. ホリスティックな見方とアプローチをとる2. 経済成長に伴って何が生じるかを予期しておく3. 川上に注力する4. 廃棄物管理の取り組みを活用して、社会関係資本を育む

5. 「失って取り戻す」より「保つ」ほうがはるかにたやすい

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1. Take holistic views and approaches








Global Ecological Footprint:Over 1.5 Earths, still increasing…

Copyright (C) e’s Inc. All rights reserved. 13

Situation Worsening..

1961

2008

14Source: WWF Japan, Living Planet Report 2012

http://www.wwf.or.jp/activities/lib/lpr/WWF_LPR_2012j.pdf

Growth is Unsustainable

1960s to 2010s：World economy grew 5 times larger

• If the economic growth continues at current pace– World economy will grow 80 times larger in 2100

compared to 1950 level• If 9 billion people live with OECD countries’ living

standard – World economy will grow 2000 times larger in 2011

compared to 1950 level

• What kind of economy is that? 15


2. Expect what coming asthe economy grows







Creative Commons. Some rights reserved by Quinn Dombrowski.http://www.flickr.com/photos/53326337@N00/3354776017/

Image by Quinn Dombrowski. Some rights reserved.http://www.flickr.com/photos/53326337@N00/3354776017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53326337@N00/3354776017/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/53326337@N00/3354776017/


3. Focus on the upstream







ConsumersBefore use• Reduce

In use• Long use

After use• Reuse• Recycle


regulations and incentives(disincentives)

Deposit system

Pay for your waste

system

surprise on-site inspections for sorting

on-site checking

Copyright (C) e’s Inc. All rights reserved. 34Source: FoE Japan

http://www.foejapan.org/en/waste/policy/pdf/140227.pdf

http://www.foejapan.org/en/waste/policy/pdf/140227.pdf



Consumers

Before use• Reduce

In use• Long use

After use• Reuse• Recycle


identity/happiness ex)comparison with others


Offer Consumers other than consumption

Copyright (C) e’s Inc. All rights reserved. 39Image Credit: J. Finkelstein

http://en.wikiversity.org/wiki/Motivation_and_emotion/Book/2013/Self-esteem#mediaviewer/File:Maslow%27s_hierarchy_of_needs.svg


4. Use waste management interventions to foster social capital



5. Retaining is much easier than losing and regaining


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Edo period in Japan (265 years :1603 – 1867)

Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved. Photo by Tonio Vega.http://www.flickr.com/photos/tonio_vega/3799556778/

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Japanese tradition

Ryoanji temple in Kyoto

Creative Commons. Some Rights Reserved. Photo by Sonic3http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/ファイル :Ryoanjitemple.JPG

Copyright (C) e’s Inc. All rights reserved.

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/ja/a/ac/Ryoanjitemple.JPG


Thank you for your attention!

Junko EdahiroJapan for Sustainability

[email protected] for the Studies in Happiness,

Economy and [email protected]

Environment

Waste Management from a Broader Perspective - Lessons Learned from Japan's Experiences