Plastic recycling in Japan


I got a question a while back about plastic recycling rates in Japan. Now, that is not an easy question at all, dear readers. Why? Well, for one thing there are many different types of chemicals in that group - plastic.

If you paid attention during your High School chemistry class, you know that some plastics are actually called polystyrene foams.

So, you go shopping. You need some steak, maybe fish, or some vegetables? Styrofoam is that bubbly, light tray you carry home your food on: probably made of styrofoam plastics. Since the 1930s, when I.G. Farben found out how to mass produce styrofoam, we have had just about enough of the stuff. According to wikipedia, cities that have banned polystyrene include Portland, Oakland, and Santa Monica. Wow.

In Japan, about 70% is recycled. Great. Well done. Not bad compared to other countries. However. The rest? Not so great. Landfills, maybe. Dumped by a road, ending up in a river, maybe sayonara in the Pacific Ocean. Styrofoam plastic won't degrade in, like, 500 years. Your kids will have kids and grandchildren - and they will find your styrofoam trays.

Somewhere.

Because they don't just "disappear". Ever.

(Graph from Nissui Co.)

Comments

Pandabonium said…
Maybe they could develop and release a genetically modified bacterium that eats styrofoam....

(my tongue is firmly in my cheek I hope you know)
10:37 am, February 28, 2008
Anonymous said…
Hope that bacteria could eat the spam comments as well... ;)
12:54 pm, February 28, 2008
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