The Japanese government said on Tuesday that it plans to force large companies to recycle plastic materials used in office areas and factories as early as April 2022 in order to increase the recycling rate of waste plastics generated by business activities.

According to reports, of the 8.91 million tons of plastic waste generated in Japan in 2018, 4.62 million tons came from enterprises, and most of the plastic waste was incinerated. The Japanese government will submit a bill at the regular meeting of the National Assembly next year. The goal is to make mandatory regulations for large companies to recycle their plastic waste.

The Japanese expert panel approved the proposal made by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Environment on Tuesday.

According to the plan, major manufacturers of waste plastics must separate plastics from other wastes and then hand them over to recycling companies. Although small companies are exempted this time, the government also requires them to strengthen recycling.

The Japanese government decided earlier this year to fully recycle 4.29 million tons of household plastic waste each year. However, some areas still have not established facilities and systems for collecting plastic packaging waste. For example, food trays, bottles, toys, and stationery are mostly incinerated or dumped in landfills.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Ministry of Environment of Japan also proposed in the panel meeting to require retailers and restaurants to reduce the use of disposable plastics, such as plastic straws and plastic spoons, and urge them to ask consumers in advance whether they want to use such plastics, and Increase the use of bioplastics.

The Japanese government is promoting plastic reduction and strengthening recycling to save resources and control pollution, aiming to reduce disposable plastic waste by 25% by 2030.