Japanese Solid Waste Management (SWM): A Case Study of Yokohama’s G30 Waste Policy

Despite heightened awareness of sustainability issues, annual per capita waste generation continues to grow around the globe. Japan's solid waste management (SWM) policy is relevant as one of the few exceptions where levels of waste have peaked and are now in decline, mainly through the dissemination of a 3Rs (reduce, reuse and recycle) policy. The aim of this paper is to showcase the Japanese example through the case study of Yokohama`s G30 plan which targeted a 30% reduction in the volume of waste generated in 2010 compared to the 2001 benchmark. As the target was ultimately exceeded, a critical analysis is offered of the success factors that underpin the G30 policy, leading to the identification of certain challenges and opportunities. Drawing on a range of secondary sources, the paper is organized into four sections; i) transition in SWM approaches; ii) implementation of the G30 plan and; iii) analysis of G30 success factors; iv) ongoing challenges and opportunities.