proper GRS. If the opposite is true, it will be an inappropriate GRS. The impact of
the GRS on global climate change must be quantitatively evaluated, and its wider
environmental impact can be elucidated using life cycle assessment (LCA). A
systematic GRS evaluation method has been established, using environmental
impact evaluation methods such as stakeholder analysis, questionnaire analysis,
simulation analysis by LCA, and resource productivity analysis (Koizumi et al.
2004). In order to prevent environmental problems caused by the international
movement of resource waste without technology transfer to developing countries
and to promote the formation of an international recycling-based society, specific
policies are required. Under multilateral trade, the “expanded producer responsibility” policy, which targets traditional enterprises, has changed to the “extended
producer responsibility” policy, which targets countries, especially where developed
countries are trading partners with developing countries. Producers have a moral
responsibility to support the construction of recycling-based social systems and also
have social responsibility (CSR), which includes aspects such as technology
transfer.
The requirements for establishing a GRS can be broadly summarized into three
categories:
1. Improving resource productivity and controlling natural resource consumption
(maximizing resources and energy efficiency).
2. Reducing the global environmental load (minimizing inputs and emissions).
3. Avoiding the risks of environmental pollution caused by trade and the collapse of
recycling-based social systems; the safety of countries involved in trade can be
ensured (maximizing benefit to society as a whole).
As globalization of trade progresses, it is important to establish a GRS with the
ultimate goal of maximum resource utilization and effective zero global emissions.
The Japan, China, and South Korea (CJK) circular economy model, which is one of
general circulation, is introduced below as an example of GRS.
17.3 Circular Economy Model in Japan, China,
and South Korea
17.3.1 Proposal for a Circular Economy Model for Japan,
China, and South Korea
In order to realize a low-carbon community in East Asia, a new strategic, mutually
beneficial cooperative framework for resource circulation and environmental load
reduction must be established. With simultaneous globalization and regionalization,
East Asia faces two challenges: resource constraints, which represent resource
depletion, and environmental constraints, which include waste disposal sites
reaching capacity, secondary and transboundary pollution, and global climate
17 Global Recycling System for an East Asian Low-Carbon Society
313
the GRS on global climate change must be quantitatively evaluated, and its wider
environmental impact can be elucidated using life cycle assessment (LCA). A
systematic GRS evaluation method has been established, using environmental
impact evaluation methods such as stakeholder analysis, questionnaire analysis,
simulation analysis by LCA, and resource productivity analysis (Koizumi et al.
2004). In order to prevent environmental problems caused by the international
movement of resource waste without technology transfer to developing countries
and to promote the formation of an international recycling-based society, specific
policies are required. Under multilateral trade, the “expanded producer responsibility” policy, which targets traditional enterprises, has changed to the “extended
producer responsibility” policy, which targets countries, especially where developed
countries are trading partners with developing countries. Producers have a moral
responsibility to support the construction of recycling-based social systems and also
have social responsibility (CSR), which includes aspects such as technology
transfer.
The requirements for establishing a GRS can be broadly summarized into three
categories:
1. Improving resource productivity and controlling natural resource consumption
(maximizing resources and energy efficiency).
2. Reducing the global environmental load (minimizing inputs and emissions).
3. Avoiding the risks of environmental pollution caused by trade and the collapse of
recycling-based social systems; the safety of countries involved in trade can be
ensured (maximizing benefit to society as a whole).
As globalization of trade progresses, it is important to establish a GRS with the
ultimate goal of maximum resource utilization and effective zero global emissions.
The Japan, China, and South Korea (CJK) circular economy model, which is one of
general circulation, is introduced below as an example of GRS.
17.3 Circular Economy Model in Japan, China,
and South Korea
17.3.1 Proposal for a Circular Economy Model for Japan,
China, and South Korea
In order to realize a low-carbon community in East Asia, a new strategic, mutually
beneficial cooperative framework for resource circulation and environmental load
reduction must be established. With simultaneous globalization and regionalization,
East Asia faces two challenges: resource constraints, which represent resource
depletion, and environmental constraints, which include waste disposal sites
reaching capacity, secondary and transboundary pollution, and global climate
17 Global Recycling System for an East Asian Low-Carbon Society
313