Home Appliance Recycling Law
Japan enacted the Home Appliances Recycling Law as a way to benefit consumers. In 2001, the law officially took effect and required customers to recycle appliances that no longer worked or those that they would otherwise throw in the trash. The electric components, metal and other pieces are recycled and saved from the landfills.
Manufacturer Requirements
- According to the Home Appliances Recycling Law, those who sell or manufacture home appliances must accept appliances returned by customers. The law also requires that the manufacturer pick up the appliance from the owner. The manufacturer must pay any costs associated with picking up the item and recycling the item. The exception to the law is manufacturers that no longer exist. If an appliance owner wants to recycle or dispose of an appliance and the manufacturer is no longer around, then the Association for Electric Home Appliances (AEHA) takes over responsibility.
Disposal
- The law is designed to reduce the number of appliances thrown away. To achieve that goal, the law requires anyone who throws away an appliance to first pay a fee for disposal. Manufacturers that recycle products under the law include GE, Electrolux, Daewoo, Toshiba, Sharp, Sanyo and Sony. Each company has the right to contract out the recycling with another agency and give that agency responsibility for picking up and recycling items from a specific area.
Appliances Covered
- Nearly every home appliance is covered under the law, but it generally relates to larger appliances. Air conditioning units, televisions, washing machines, dryers, freezers and refrigerators are all listed under the law. Recycling fees are based on the age and condition of the appliance. The cost to recycle an air conditioner is listed at $23 to $30 as of June 2011, while recycling a television costs $18 to $24. The manufacturer pays the recycling cost to dispose of the appliances after receiving the item from the former customer.
Wording of the Law
- According to the way the law is worded, the manufacturer must recycle or dispose of as many appliances as it sells. The manufacturer is responsible for recycling the same item, or an item of similar nature if the original is no longer made. A series of checks and rules are in place to ensure that manufacturers follow the law. Manufacturers do have the right to work with the AEHA and request that the association pick up and recycle appliances, particularly in rural communities where homes are not easily accessible.
