Japan Plans to Cut Garbage by 60 Pct

[one...two...tree 2,762]

(Tokyo) — Japan will urge citizens to carry their own chopsticks instead of using disposable ones and go shopping with their own bags instead of using plastic ones, in a bid to more than halve the garbage it produces.

The Cabinet approved a set of plans Tuesday to promote a recycling society, said Tsuyoshi Kawakami, an official in charge of recycling at the Environment Ministry.

Japan aims to reduce the total amount of garbage — produced by both industries and individuals — by 60 percent of the fiscal 2000 level to 25.3 million tons by fiscal 2015 under the plan posted on the ministry's Web site. The fiscal year begins in April in Japan.

The government target for individuals was a reduction of 20 percent.

"We are still lacking efforts. We have not been able to break away from the mass consumption society," Kawasaki said.

Shoppers in Japan normally receive multiple plastic and paper bags, while gifts are typically wrapped in elaborate packaging. Environmentalists criticize the wide use of disposable wooden chopsticks in the country.

The adopted plans also encourage people to use public transportation and ride bicycles.

http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8...1725284,00.html

[Ban Hammer 13,678]

you can bet the company that makes disposable chopsticks ain't pleased.

[almaty 19]

oh i agree, they are already laying off workers