‘Stingy, Stingy, Stingy Government’: Mixed Responses to the Introduction of the Plastic Carrier Bag Levy in Japan

Abstract

Since 1 July 2020, all retail businesses in Japan have been required by law to charge customers for plastic carrier bags in order to reduce the use of single-use plastic and to encourage consumers to change their lifestyles. This has resulted in more shoppers using their own bags, but has also drawn more emotional responses. This article analyses reactions to the plastic carrier bag levy in konbini (convenience stores) and discusses how it has changed customer service and shopping routines, at the same time as affecting notions of convenience, generosity, and propriety. The levy is also challenging consumers’ notions of cleanliness and pollution, as the plastic bag is changing from something that can both protect its contents from dirt and pollution (as a carrier bag) and protect the environment from its dirty contents (as a waste bag) to something that in itself pollutes the environment.

Life cycle environmental impacts of consumer packaging products in Japan

“…Climate change is chosen to be an important environmental impact parameter as it is one of the most pressing environmental issue that is of high public and institutional interest and has stirred the plastic ban in Japan and increased the prevalence of alternatives (Brigitte, 2021; METI, 2021; UN Climate Summit, 2020). The potential of the product system to impact climate change through ‘‘global warming potential’’ is expressed in the results below.…”

“…Awareness of plastic pollution has soared recently due to increase in environmental degradation, marine debris, so forth (Greentumble, 2019; Herr & Galland, 2009). The demand for the development of alternative materials to replace plastics is also increasing (Brigitte, 2021). Globally and in Japan, increased use of paper bags is seen, with many supermarkets completely banning plastic packaging (Department of Ecology, 2021; Seven&i, 2021).…”

“…As a counter measure, around 127 nations have banned or taxed plastic bags and over 27 nations have enacted through law some type of ban on other plastics, for example, bottles, plates, cups, straws (UNEP, 2018). In May 2019, the Japanese government published its ‘‘Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy.’’ Key components were the introduction of a compulsory minimum one yen plastic grocery bag levy for all retail businesses from July 2020 and support for the development of alternative materials to replace plastics (Brigitte, 2021). Increased use of paper bags is seen, with some grocery stores completely banning plastic packaging (Seven&i, 2021).…”

“…In May 2019, the Japanese government published its ''Plastic Resource Recycling Strategy.'' Key components were the introduction of a compulsory minimum one yen plastic grocery bag levy for all retail businesses from July 2020 and support for the development of alternative materials to replace plastics (Brigitte, 2021). Increased use of paper bags is seen, with some grocery stores completely banning plastic packaging (Seven&i, 2021).…”

Plastic Asia

“…Plastics in some parts of asia has come to stand in for frustrations with modernity and global capitalism. in spite of the utopian advancements they promise, in many places the increasing use of plastics has co-arisen with ecological degradation and pollution (Pathak 2020b; Pathak and nichter 2019; see also Steger 2021). Whilst for many in India plastics are seen as reflective of development and enabling hygiene, for others plastics are synonymous with pollution from the moment they are created (Pathak 2020a).…”