On March 25, the Japanese Cabinet approved a program to encourage citizens to recycle and re-use. The plan suggests that citizens bring their own chopsticks to restaurants instead of using disposable chopsticks; and not use plastic bags, but re-use their own shopping bags.
The plan has been published on the official website of Japan's Ministry of the Environment. According to the plan, by the fiscal year 2015, Japan will reduce 60% of industrial and living waste, dropping to 25.3 million tons.
The promotion also encourages people to use public transportation and bicycles.
According to the Associated Press, an official in charge of the recycle and re-use program of Japan's Ministry of Environment stated that their efforts are still insufficient; and society has long been unable to eradicate mass consumption and wasteful habits.
In Japan, shoppers are usually offered several plastic and paper bags; and gifts are elaborately wrapped. In addition, the mad usage of disposable wooden chopsticks has been criticized by environmental activists.
By People's Daily Online
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