Recycling in Japan and India

Recycling is an important aspect in maintaining environmental sustainability in the long run by reducing the amount of waste. However, if we were to examine the approach towards recycling between a developed and a developing country, we would find that the concepts adopted are different.

According to Srinivas (n.d.), Japan, being a developed nation, is focusing on the 3R approach: reduce, reuse and recycle. With the assistance of science and technology, this 3R initiative has been successful in reducing the consumption of natural resources. Raising public awareness on recycling through education is also important as the public has to be aware of the importance of conservation. In addition, the Japanese government strictly enforces the recycling laws. As a whole, Japan has made the 3R approach successful through the combined effort of the government and the ordinary citizens.

However, in developing countries such as India, there is a lack of public awareness on the need for conservation. Gupta (2004) recognised that whilst recycling is important in conserving the finite natural resources, the lack of technology would result in the difficulty in execution of recycling programmes that requires advanced technology. Thus, incineration would probably remain as the main practice in India. The disparity in the methods adopted may be attributed to the difference in level of development of the nations. Due to the constraint on the finite resources, the need for recycling is undeniable.

References:

Gupta S.K. (2004, April). Rethinking waste management. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.indiatogether.org/2004/apr/env-rethink.htm

Srinivas, H. (n.d.). Inspiring Ideas from Japan's 3R Initiative. Retrieved February 15, 2008, from http://www.gdrc.org/uem/waste/3r-insipiring-ideas.html