Plastic waste export volume Japan 2017-2023
In 2023, the export volume of plastic waste from Japan amounted to around 606.4 million kilograms. The figure decreased significantly from over 1.43 billion kilograms in 2017, after some Southeast Asian countries banned plastic waste imports.
Plastic waste generation in Japan
Even though the disposal volume of plastic waste decreased steadily throughout the past decade, Japan still produces over eight million metric tons of plastic waste annually and remains one of the largest producers of plastic products worldwide.
In Japan, plastic packaging is commonly used for food and beverage containers as it holds the image of being safe and hygienic among citizens. However, single-use plastic products such as food wrappers, beverage bottles, bottle caps, and grocery bags were among the most common waste items collected from the coasts and oceans around Japan, showing that plastic waste pollution has become a major environmental issue.
How does Japan deal with its plastic waste?
Historically, Japan used to export huge amounts of plastic waste, mainly to other Asian countries. But the exports decreased significantly after 2017 when China banned plastic waste imports. Japan is now forced to find more sustainable solutions to reduce and manage its plastic waste.
The recycling rate of plastic waste increased to 87 percent in recent years. However, thermal recycling remained the most common recycling method for plastic waste. Here the waste is incinerated to generate energy. Only a small amount of plastic waste is reused for its materials to produce new plastic products.
