Economic Aspects of Public Policy for Promoting a Materials -cycle Sustainable Society

Abstract

We are seeking a transformation from a "mass-waste society" to a "materials-cycle sustainable society." The present mass-waste society came about through the toleration of huge quantities of waste to the point that the sheer amount far exceeds the capacity of local governments to deal with it. In order to process this excess waste, additional incinerators and landfills have become necessary. These, in turn, become the sources, both immediate and potential, of further pollution and environmental disruption. However, the contemporary strategy of constructing new disposal facilities to cope with the rapid increase in the volume of waste is presently approaching its physical and social limits. There is a fair amount of awareness within society on this point, and recent years have seen a growing consensus in favor of waste reduction, reuse and recycling.