New law aims to reduce plastic use in Japan

Apr 02 (NHK) - A law requiring businesses in Japan to cut down on disposable plastic items went into effect Friday.

The law applies to retail shops, hotels, restaurants and other businesses that provide 5 tons or more of single-use items per year. They must now either charge for plastic items, or offer alternatives made from other materials.

Convenience store chain FamilyMart will no longer give plastic forks to customers who purchase food items. Customers can request bamboo chopsticks instead.

FamilyMart estimates that making the change at its outlets across the country will reduce plastic waste by 260 tons a year.

The Imperial Hotel in Tokyo will be offering toothbrushes, razors and hairbrushes with bamboo or wooden handles, among other changes.

The hotel operator says the costs for amenities will be nearly three-fold what they are now, but it expects to cut the use of plastic items subject to the law by more than 80 percent.

Source: ANNnewsCH

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