Recycling Policy

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) is promoting the "3Rs" in order to create a sustainable society : one that has balance between the environment and the economy.

What are the '3Rs'?

The term the "3Rs" is an acronym for "Reduce, Reuse, Recycle." The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) and other government agencies are promoting the "3Rs" in order to create a sustainable society based on the 3Rs : a society that pursues environmental protection as well as economic growth.

Reduce

Reducing the amount of waste by increasing the efficiency of resource use and extending the useful life of products.

Reuse

Using the "recyclable resources" from used items again, as products or parts, after giving them proper treatment. ("Recyclable resources" are the useful parts or components of waste, used products and byproducts.)

Recycle

Using the "recyclable resources" as the raw materials to make new products.

Press Releases

• Holding an Experience-Based Event called the "Circular Economy Laboratory" at Expo 2025 Osaka, Kansai to Provide People with an Opportunity to Enjoy Learning about the Concept of the Circular Economy (July 24, 2025)
• Implementation Status of Recycling under the Act on Promotion of Recycling of Small Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (FY2020 Results) (August 23, 2022)
• Current State of Enforcement of the Act on Recycling of Specified Kinds of Home Appliances (Collection Results) and Results of Recycling Efforts by Home Appliance Manufacturers (FY2021 Results) (July 1, 2022)
• Cabinet Decisions on the Cabinet Order to Set the Effective Date for the Act on Promotion of Resource Circulation for Plastics and on the Cabinet Order for Enforcement of the Same Act (January 14, 2022)

Division in Charge

• 3R Policies
  Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Division, Industrial Science and Technology Policy and Environment Bureau
• Automobile Recycling
  Automobile Division, Manufacturing Industries Bureau
• Home Appliance Recycling
  IT Industry Division, Commerce and Information Policy Bureau