Japanese soft drink makers to reuse 50% of plastic bottles by 2030

The Japan Soft Drink Association will raise the plastic bottle reuse ratio from 10 percent to at least 50 percent by improving the cleaning process.

To address the low rate problem, the JSDA will set up recycling bins at the vending machines around Japan and improve treatment technology.

Difficulties in removing impurities, such as fluid, cigarette butts, and other sorts of dirt or waste, from the used bottles are mainly responsible for the low rate.

Since treatment facilities cannot wash all surplus used bottles, heavily contaminated ones that could lower the quality of recycled bottles are burned or thrown away.

Another problem is that various types of trash are often tossed in recycling bins set up beside vending machines, contaminating potentially reusable plastic bottles.

Atsuo Kono, senior executive director of JSDA, noted that 50 percent is their minimum target, which will be increased when techniques are established.

Coca-Cola Co. and its bottling partners are eyeing to increase their recycled bottle ratio from 28 percent in 2020 to 50 percent by 2022.

Suntory Beverage & Food Ltd. also set a recycled bottle percentage of 50 percent by 2022.

Although the current reuse cycle has reduced CO2 emissions connected to plastic drink bottles by 40 percent, the JSDA is moving to further decrease the amount.

The JSDA is calling on other businesses to follow suit.

Drinks in plastic bottles account for 76 percent of the quantity of all Japan-produced beverages in 2020.