Japan urged to strengthen packaging circularity policies, shifting from disposal to design
Publish date: 2026-01-13
At SEMICON Japan 2025, Packaging Insights speaks to Honda about Japan’s waste management strategies and its potential future pathways to advance packaging circularity.
On the show floor, Honda presented how collection, sorting, and monitoring can be optimized using AI, and highlighted how ESG investment can scale safer national recycling.
Efforts and challenges
Honda shares that Japan has invested heavily in intermediate treatment infrastructure, particularly thermal treatment with energy recovery, which can be used for packaging waste. “It has helped reduce landfill dependency.”
“Japan’s waste management system is often seen as technically advanced and operationally reliable. Collection coverage is high, illegal dumping is relatively rare, and waste separation at the household level is deeply embedded in daily life.”
A person in a yellow vest holding a tablet.
The application of AI technology in waste sorting could enhance solid waste management efficiency.
“At the same time, Japan faces several structural challenges. Material circulation rates remain modest compared to policy ambitions, and the system still relies significantly on incineration rather than upstream waste prevention.”
“Demographic change, especially an aging population and declining workforce, is placing pressure on municipal waste services. In addition, global disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in recycling markets, reminding us that even well-organized systems must continuously adapt.”
Economic rationality
Honda highlights that circular practices will scale only if they are economically rational for businesses and local governments.
According to the program officer, critical economic signals include “clearer market incentives for secondary materials, better alignment between environmental policy and industrial policy, and support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises that often drive practical innovation but face higher risks.”
“Equally important is governance. Circular economy transitions depend on coordination across ministries, municipalities, industries, and consumers. Transparent data, shared responsibility, and long-term policy consistency help build confidence for investment and innovation.”
“Ultimately, the circular economy is not just a technical agenda but a societal choice. Policies work best when they reinforce a shared understanding that resource circulation is part of long-term economic resilience and competitiveness,” concludes Honda.
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On the show floor, Honda presented how collection, sorting, and monitoring can be optimized using AI, and highlighted how ESG investment can scale safer national recycling.
Efforts and challenges
Honda shares that Japan has invested heavily in intermediate treatment infrastructure, particularly thermal treatment with energy recovery, which can be used for packaging waste. “It has helped reduce landfill dependency.”
“Japan’s waste management system is often seen as technically advanced and operationally reliable. Collection coverage is high, illegal dumping is relatively rare, and waste separation at the household level is deeply embedded in daily life.”
A person in a yellow vest holding a tablet.
The application of AI technology in waste sorting could enhance solid waste management efficiency.
“At the same time, Japan faces several structural challenges. Material circulation rates remain modest compared to policy ambitions, and the system still relies significantly on incineration rather than upstream waste prevention.”
“Demographic change, especially an aging population and declining workforce, is placing pressure on municipal waste services. In addition, global disruptions have exposed vulnerabilities in recycling markets, reminding us that even well-organized systems must continuously adapt.”
Economic rationality
Honda highlights that circular practices will scale only if they are economically rational for businesses and local governments.
According to the program officer, critical economic signals include “clearer market incentives for secondary materials, better alignment between environmental policy and industrial policy, and support mechanisms for small and medium-sized enterprises that often drive practical innovation but face higher risks.”
“Equally important is governance. Circular economy transitions depend on coordination across ministries, municipalities, industries, and consumers. Transparent data, shared responsibility, and long-term policy consistency help build confidence for investment and innovation.”
“Ultimately, the circular economy is not just a technical agenda but a societal choice. Policies work best when they reinforce a shared understanding that resource circulation is part of long-term economic resilience and competitiveness,” concludes Honda.
All content and features on this website are copyrighted with all rights reserved. The full details can be found in our privacy statement
Source: Packaging Insights
