Japan to charge for single use plastic bags by 2020

[StreetFight3r]

In support of this. Shopping trips my wife bring 2 recycled bag or wad we cal as zhao lor bag. Dont need plastic bags at all since everything just dump inside and then repack at hotel. For day to day folks will need to bring a small recycled bag everywhere with u. Support this and SG should consider implementing this in phases. Right now only certain places charge. IKEA? Forgot still got where

 

Japan to introduce charges for single-use plastic bags at all retail stores by 2020.

 

Japan is set to introduce charges for plastic bags at stores, making free plastic bags a thing of the past.

 

Charging plastic bags is a “symbolic” effort

 

Japan’s Environment Minister Yoshiaki Harada announced on Monday, June 3, 2019, at a press conference that the country will be prohibiting retailers, including supermarkets and convenience stores, from giving out plastic bags for free, The Japan Times reported.

 

The price of a plastic bag is to be determined by the retailers, however, the ministry expects them to charge around 10 yen (S$0.13) for a bag.

 

Retailers are also requested to use the money for environmental purposes, such as afforestation and spreading awareness of marine pollution.

 

While the proportion of plastic bags among plastic waste is “not big” according to Harada, charging a fee for it is symbolic of Japan’s efforts to reduce plastic waste.

 

The law is set to kick in by the end of 2020.

 

The push comes ahead of the G20 Summit set to be held in Osaka on June 28 and 29, as well as the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

 

Despite the attention they give to sorting out trash and recycling, Japan produces the largest amount of plastic waste per capita after the U.S.

 

The country is known for its obsession with immaculate packaging.

 

It is not uncommon to see individually-wrapped snacks lined up neatly in beautifully-printed boxes that people then buy as omiyage (a souvenir that people give to friends).

 

Japanese manufacturers have recently started to tackle the excessive use of plastic for packagings.

 

Rather than single-use plastic packaging, they are turning to alternatives such as biodegradable plastics or paper bags, according to Nikkei Asian Review.

 

7-Eleven convenience store chain targets to use paper bags at all outlets by 2030.

 

Another large convenience store chain, Lawson Inc., will also be looking at renewable bags to replace plastic bags.

 

Compared to foreign companies, however, Japanese manufacturers are deemed as late to the game.

 

Having said that, the move to reduce the use of single-use plastic bags will likely prompt companies in Japan to invest in developing new materials that are more environmentally-friendly.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Japan use alot plastics especially for food and snacks wrap. Many times i bought japanese snacks and it was wrapped at least 3-4 times from outer box wrap, plastic tray, plastic cover inside and smaller plastic cover for each snacks!

[StreetFight3r]

Japan use alot plastics especially for food and snacks wrap. Many times i bought japanese snacks and it was wrapped at least 3-4 times from outer box wrap, plastic tray, plastic cover inside and smaller plastic cover for each snacks!

even when u buy gifts bk can be tiny things like keychains,magnets,stickers, any kind of souvenir they give extra little plastic bags or paper gifts for u to pack separately as gifts.very thoughtful thou..

[Adrianli]

I tot they have been charging for plastic bags for quite some time already. My last two trips there in 2014, they have been charging already.

 

But the plastic bags were of very good quality unlike here. Much thicker and sturdy.

 

Most of the tourist places, they use paper bags. Not sure when they will start stopping the use of paper since its also the cutting down of forest. Thus harming our environment.

[Thaiyotakamli]

even when u buy gifts bk can be tiny things like keychains,magnets,stickers, any kind of souvenir they give extra little plastic bags or paper gifts for u to pack separately as gifts.very thoughtful thou..

They care alot about packaging lol. Pack until swee swee, its nice but not environmental friendly

I tot they have been charging for plastic bags for quite some time already. My last two trips there in 2014, they have been charging already.

 

But the plastic bags were of very good quality unlike here. Much thicker and sturdy.

 

Most of the tourist places, they use paper bags. Not sure when they will start stopping the use of paper since its also the cutting down of forest. Thus harming our environment.

Ours not bad lor try go indo, i always ask 2-3 layers lol

[Stratovarius]

They care alot about packaging lol. Pack until swee swee, its nice but not environmental friendly

 

Was talking about this to a friend who lived in JP. Her answer to that is the Japanese also recycle most of the plastic they use. Even for food containers, they will wash everything clean and sort them in the recycle bins. Something hard for SG to embrace.

 

But most of the supermarts in JP don't give out plastic bags anymore. TW is also following the same trend. I will try to bring my own bag when going to supermarts. Ikea ones are really useful.

[Thaiyotakamli]

Was talking about this to a friend who lived in JP. Her answer to that is the Japanese also recycle most of the plastic they use. Even for food containers, they will wash everything clean and sort them in the recycle bins. Something hard for SG to embrace.

 

But most of the supermarts in JP don't give out plastic bags anymore. TW is also following the same trend. I will try to bring my own bag when going to supermarts. Ikea ones are really useful.

In japan homes, they separate out their waste plastic and general one. Thats a good effort that sg should follow

[Old-driver]

Our supermarkets should be doing the same. In fact they're doing other-wise.... freely putting double plastic bags when it's a bit of some heavier stuff  

 

this is soooooooo un-green.

[SimonDschen]

it is always over-packaged in Japan.

[Othello]

Be like OZ. 2 years ago in Perth, supermarkets giving out plastic bags freely. Now ZERO plastic bags. They have some thicker ones which I took and re-used several times. Most folks there use their own shopping bags or simply hand carry if not many items.

 

Similar to smoking. They have increased the cigarettes prices! Its damn expensive to smoke. And the main streets are usually smoke free.

Edited June 7, 2019 by Othello

[Jamesc]

Extra profit for shops.