Motorcycle Makers to Launch Voluntary Recycling System in Japan

Four Japanese motorcycles manufacturers (Honda Motor Co., Yamaha Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Co. and Kawasaki Motors Co.) and several major importers (including BMW Japan Corp. and Triumph Japan KK) are planning to launch a voluntary recycling system in Japan on October 1, 2004.

Under the system, a recycling fee will be added to the retail price and a recycling logo affixed to each new motorcycle. At the time of final disposal, motorcycles carrying the sticker will be recycled for free, while those without it will require a fee. Each maker is supposed to set and announce its own recycling charge, and Japan's four motorcycle makers have set it at 4,120 yen (about U.S.$38) including tax, regardless of engine displacement.

When disposing of a motorcycle, the owner must either bring it to one of 190 designated locations around the country, or pay the transportation fee to have it sent to a designated location by one of 15,000 shops handling disposed motorbikes. A total of 14 recycling facilities for final disposal will be established across the country.

Sharing the recycling centers and the information management network with Japan's existing home appliance recycling system enabled the motorcycle makers to establish their recycling system quickly and operate it at low cost.

Japan's Home Appliance Recycling Law entered into force in 2001, and it will be followed in 2005 by the Automobile Recycling Law, which requires the recycling of four-wheeled vehicles. The government decided not to make the recycling of motorcycles mandatory for various reasons, including the fact that their parts contain no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). But manufacturers decided to take voluntary action and start this new recycling system to deal with the illegal dumping of motorcycles, which has become a problem in Japan.




Posted: 2004/10/08 01:50:51 PM
Japanese version