From November 11th to December 18th, CENER 21 represented Bosnia and Herzegovina at an intensive training program on solid waste management organized by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The program brought together participants from nine countries, offering a unique opportunity to observe firsthand Japan’s advanced practices in waste management, circular economy principles and the 3R framework.
Nishinomiya City: Leading by example in environmental education
Nishinomiya City has been developing as an educational residential city, distinguished by its rich natural environment, high-quality residential areas, and advanced educational opportunities. In 2003, it became the first city in Japan to issue the “Declaration for an Environmental Education City”, aiming to foster a sustainable community through comprehensive environmental education.
The city treats newspapers, cardboard, clothes, and paper containers as direct resources, with numerous collection points available for citizens to drop off these materials for reuse. PET bottles, glass, and bulky waste are separated and sent to designated recycling facilities managed by private companies. One such example is the Yamaichi company, which recycles glass bottles and returns the end product to glass bottle manufacturers.
Combustible, non-recyclable waste is directed to the West Municipal Refuse-Disposal Center, a waste-to-energy facility that processes 87% of the city’s waste. Organic household waste is currently incinerated due to limited space for constructing new facilities. The resulting ash from the incineration process is placed in a designated area that will eventually form a man-made island.
Local authorities appoint so-called “waste reduction leaders” in each neighborhood to monitor and report on proper source separation. Additionally, an active community group called Eco Koto receives funding to raise citizen awareness of waste management issues through interactive learning.
In Japan, environmental education is integral to formal education from preschool onwards, tailored to local contexts for better comprehension. Teachers in each city, including Nishinomiya, prepare guidebooks featuring local facilities and real-world examples. Learning is interactive and includes field visits. A tool called the Eco Card is provided to students to encourage various waste management initiatives at school, in the community, and at home. Each completed activity earns a stamp, and accumulating all the required stamps allows students to become recognized “ecoleaders.”
Source separation: A culture of responsibility
In Japan, source separation of waste is non-negotiable. Public areas often lack general-purpose waste bins, encouraging residents to collect and separate waste at home in transparent bags. This transparency fosters accountability and has boosted recycling efforts significantly. Even the waste collection vehicles—called “pucker trucks”—come in vibrant colours to make waste management more visible and appealing to the public.
Managing tourist pressures on Miyajima island
The program also included a study visit to Miyajima Island, a popular tourist destination receiving about 4.5 million visitors annually but home to only 800 households. Despite the intense visitor pressure, the island maintains an intricate system of separating waste into 12 different categories. Tourists now pay an environmental fee upon arrival by ferry, which funds local waste management initiatives. The separated waste is transported to the main island for further processing.
Beyond solid waste, Miyajima Island employs an innovative wastewater treatment approach. The local plant treats both leachate from the solid waste landfill and domestic sewage. This is possible because the landfill does not accept organic waste, ensuring that the leachate is similar in composition to household wastewater. Sewage sludge is processed into a “cake” used for composting, closing the loop on organic matter management.
Private sector pioneers in the circular economy
CENER 21 also visited several private-sector operations that exemplify the circular economy in action:
- Kawase Industry Co., Ltd.:
Kawase Industry focuses on turning industrial waste plastics into valuable raw materials rather than simply using them as fuel. By working primarily with relatively pure industrial waste streams, the company maintains high-quality standards for its recycled plastic pellets, which are then molded into new products for various industries including construction. This approach exemplifies a commitment to material recycling and ensures that resources remain in circulation. - Panasonic Eco Technology Center (PETEC):
At PETEC, the concept of “zero waste recycling” drives innovation. The facility recovers high-quality, recyclable materials from end-of-life home appliances—such as TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators, and washing machines—which are collected under Japan’s Home Appliance Recycling Law. These reclaimed materials are reintegrated into new products, enabling a true “product to product” cycle that conserves resources and reduces waste. PETEC’s ongoing research and development feed back into Panasonic’s design processes, ensuring future products are even easier to recycle.
A model for application
CENER 21’s experience in Japan underscored the power of education, community engagement, private-sector innovation, and forward-looking policies in managing waste sustainably. These insights will inform Bosnia and Herzegovina’s efforts to advance circular economy principles, strengthen its waste management systems, and foster an environmentally responsible culture for generations to come.