FOOD RECYCLING LAW REVS UP REUSE RATE

In Japan, roughly 19.4 million tons of food residuals were generated in 1996. Only about nine percent (1.68 million tons) were recovered, with most incinerated or landfilled - contributing to Japan's growing shortages of disposal sites. Aware of the problems, the Japanese government in 2001 enacted

the Food Recycling Law, requiring that all food-related businesses increase reuse rates by 20 percent by the end of 2007. Four recovery methods are recommended in the Law: Composting; Producing livestock fodder; Manufacturing oil and fat products such as biodiesel and printing inks; and Utilizing methane from fermentation.

In Aya Town of Miyazaki Prefecture, reports the newsletter japan far Sustainability, organic waste is collected and turned into compost, then sold to local farmers as "Aya's Natural Fertilizer." In Kyoto City, officials promote waste oil recycling by processing 5,000 liters of cooking oil into biodiesel as part of its biomass utilization strategy.