Extended producer responsibility practices and prospects for waste management in Japan

Unquestionably, waste management plays a significant role in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and demand for raw materials. As a result, numerous nations have developed particular legal frameworks to make effective waste reduction, reuse, and recycling possible. Extended producer responsibility is one of these legal frameworks (EPR). EPR transfers control over how manufactured goods affect the environment after they have served their intended purpose from customers to manufacturers. Due to their extensive EPR capability and expertise, Japan was chosen in this review. As a significant footnote, the attitudes of producers and consumers toward EPR and DRS as well as the effects of COVID-19 are also discussed. The discussion of current trash collection technology is followed by an examination of how well-suited for the future was explored. In addition, techniques for recycling HDPE, LDPE and light weight packaging are described. Finally, potential EPR and DRS trends are investigated.