September 7, 2005
In order to develop recycling system for discarded FRP boats*1 and fire extinguishers by manufacturers, the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) adds these two items to the list of products subjected to wide area certification system complying with the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law as of September 8, 2006.
Wide area certification system aims to promote regional and nationwide disposal and recycling system for discarded products by manufacturers. To benefit this system, Japan Boating Industry Association (JBIA, an industrial association mainly consisting of manufacturers of pleasure boats) and manufacturers of fire extinguishers are planning to apply for the approval of their disposal and recycling system by the MOE.
MOE will proceed with the certification process after receiving their application. Collaborating with the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MLIT), the Fire and Disaster Management Agency (FDMA) and other organizations concerned, the MOE will promote nationwide recycling of discarded FRT boats and fire extinguishers.
| 1. | Recycling of discarded FRP boats |
Disposal of discarded FRP boats, being large and hard, was difficult and no recycling methods were established so far. MLIT has been studying appropriate and efficient recycling technology and development of recycling system for discarded FRP boats.
Based on those studying, the MOE, together with other ministries and organizations concerned, is trying to realize the national level recycling system for discarded FRP boats. As a result of these efforts, JBIA launched development of a nationwide recycling system, accordingly discarded FRP boat is added to the list of products subjected to wide area certification system for the general waste*2 from September 8. With this listing, the JBIA will commence wide area recycling once it is certified by the MOE for this certification system.
The initial target region for recycling of discarded FRB boats will focus on the region with many old boats in 10 prefectures in West Setouchi and Northern Kyushu regions (Okayama, Hiroshima, Yamaguchi, Kagawa, Ehime, Fukuoka, Oita, Saga, Nagasaki, and Kumamoto prefectures) and recycling is scheduled to start from November 2006. To expand this recycling system to nation wide level, the MOE and the MLIT jointly encourage and support the efforts of manufacturers. The upcoming plan for the recycling system of discarded FRP boats is announced today by the MLIT and the JBIA.
| 2. | Recycling of discarded fire extinguishers |
Since discarded fire extinguishers are hazardous, their disposal has been difficult and recycling method has not been developed. With these backgrounds, the FDMA has researched appropriate and efficient recycling technologies and development of a recycling system by manufacturers.
Based on those researches, the MOE, together with other ministries and organizations concerned, kept working to realize the national level recycling system for discarded fire extinguishers. As a result of these efforts, nation wide recycling system is developed by manufacturers, accordingly discarded fire extinguisher is added to the list of products subjected to wide area certification system from September 8. With this listing, member manufacturer of the Japan Fire Extinguisher Manufacturers' Association will commence wide area recycling after the certification by the MOE for this recycling system. The discarded fire extinguisher recycling system is expected to commence within this fiscal year on a nationwide basis. To expand this recycling system to nation wide level, the MOE and the FDMA jointly encourage and support the efforts of manufacturers.
| *1 | FRP boats are the boats made from FRP (Fiber Reinforced Plastics). The feature of FRP being light, durable and easy to process made it increasingly popular as structural material for boats since 1960's. |
| *2 | Wide area certification system under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law is a special certification system not requiring acquisition of license from municipal government to undertake waste disposal activities, with the approval of the Minister of the Environment guaranteeing appropriate disposal on the condition that manufacturers dispose specific product by themselves. As for municipal solid wastes, 5 items are subjected to this system (used spring mattress, used personal computer, waste sealed battery, waste open lead acid battery and used two-wheeled motor vehicle). Products approved by the area wide recycling system are as follows.
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