Garbage Management in Japan: Leading the Way

Excerpts from a book that details how land-poor Japan has less garbage problems than the land rich United States. Chapter Six, Incineration, is excerpted. In Japan, incineration is regarded as the most sanitary way to handle wastes. Over 1,900 incinerators exist. Recycling is a major part of Japan's incineration. Over 90% of their beer bottles are reused. For ash handling and emission control, Japan is mostly concerned with satisfying the concerns of the public. In the absence of data, Japan errs on the safe side.