The rubbish sometimes can be a treasure. It depends on how you handle the rubbish. The classification of the rubbish is also something important and can return us benefits. In terms of global, different countries have also different initiatives when it comes to the recycle of rubbish. For example, in Taiwan, a collective dustbin beside the residence do not exist, each afternoon, a truck will pass each residence to get the already classified rubbish. Then it will be used for the generation of electricity. Some of the countries have already established laws according to this subject. So what about the people’s consciences and reactions to the recycle of rubbish, and how the laws define the obligation of each individual? Having lived and studied in different countries, each country does really have a different attitude and measurement. This this article, I will make a comparison between Some Asian Region/ Countries, Germany, as well as the corresponding law.


Taiwan:

The rubbish recycling system in Taiwan is very interesting. They don’t have stationed rubbish bins around the student dormitories or residences. What the environmental department has done is: from each residence center, rubbish trucks will pass each street at a certain time. Each habitant in these areas has been informed the exact time when the truck will come and have to be there on time. Otherwise they will not have another chance to throw away their rubbish.

Once the rubbish has been collected, all the rubbish goes to the center disposal station. In Taiwan, the collective rubbish has yet been really well classified compared to France or Germany, all the collected rubbish will be burned to generate electricity.


Japan:

Japan is a country who did a really good job in term of rubbish classification and recycling. In Japan, the rubbish classifications are majorly 4 categories:

1. The rubbish can be burned
It includes: the rubbish in the kitchen, left food, vegetables, napkins, etc.
2. Plastic bottle
In the Japanese rules, only well classify the plastic bottle is way enough, it is recommended to clean the bottle before put it into the rubbish bin and the bottles are needed to be compressed.
3. Incombustible garbage resources
Including beverage bottles (aluminum and steel cans), brown bottle, colorless, transparent bottles, can be directly reused bottles
4. Big trash can be broken before treatments
Including small household appliances (TVs, air conditioners, refrigerator / cabinets, washing machine), metal, furniture, bicycles, ceramics, cans irregular shape, blankets, mats , long chain-like (hose, rope, wire, wires, etc.).


Japanese law towards rubbish classification
Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law (one hundred and thirty seventh issue 25th December law forty, 1950) "Waste Disposal and Public Cleaning Law" define clarify the obligation of each individual concerning about rubbish classification.

For example: In this law, it defines:

第五条の二 　環境大臣は、廃棄物の排出の抑制、再生利用等による廃棄物の減量その他その適正な処理に関する施策の総合的かつ計画的な推進を図るための基本的な方針（以下「基本方針」という。）を定めなければならない
一 　廃棄物の減量その他その適正な処理の基本的な方向
二 　廃棄物の減量その他その適正な処理に関する目標の設定に関する事項
三 　廃棄物の減量その他その適正な処理に関する施策を推進するための基本的事項
四 　廃棄物の処理施設の整備に関する基本的事項
環境大臣は、基本方針を定め、又はこれを変更しようとするときは、あらかじめ、関係行政機関の長に協議するとともに、都道府県知事の意見を聴かなければならない。 環境大臣は、基本方針を定め、又はこれを変更したときは、遅滞なく、これを公表しなければならない。

English translatoon:

Basic policy for the promotion of a planned and comprehensive measures for its proper treatment to control the released waste, etc. (following two environment ministers of Article 5, "and it shall decide the.) ".
• The two basic policy, and shall provide for the following matters.
• Basic direction of its proper treatment weight loss of one other waste
• Matters concerning the setting of targets for its proper treatment weight
• Basic precautions to take to promote measures for its proper treatment
Has established a basic policy, or when you are trying to change this, Minister of the Environment, shall hear the opinion of the prefectural governor.


Germany

In Germany, both urban and rural areas, besides each residence, there are always 4 big trash bins:

• Green : used to hold all the food scraps, garden clippings broken branches of trees, lawn grass cut off, in short, all the biological waste,
• Blue: used to hold all kinds of waste newspaper ads, etc.
• Yellow: for all food plastic packaging, water bottles, metal cans daily waste plastics, etc.
• Black: loaded non-recyclable garbage or garbage does not belong to the above


From the 1970s Germany has begun to implement garbage collection, to the 1990s, the amount of recycled glass has reached to 50%, the amount of recycled paper reaches 41%, the amount of recycled plastic reaches its generation 5%, the amount of recycled cardboard which produces one-third volume.


Germany law towards rubbish classification


Former West German government in 1972 formulated the "Waste Disposal Act," kicked off the circular economy legislation. June 1991, Germany promulgated "packaging waste classification regulations", which aimed to reducing the packaging waste generated, for the inevitable disposable packaging waste regulations must be reused or recycled. Promulgated the "Circular Economy and Waste Disposal Act" establishes the general principle of circular economy in Germany.
In October 1996, the Act requires that all resources must try to reduce the amount included in the circular economy recycled products: In addition to packaging waste, but also including scrap cars, discarded electronic devices and electronic equipment, used batteries, bio-waste, construction or demolition rubble, waste carpets and textiles, wood and other waste. Since then abandoned vehicle restrictions also issued regulations, waste battery regulations implementing regulations and other special products, in order to gradually improve the Act. 2000 "Renewable Energy Law" into effect, according to this method can get government financial assistance in renewable energy companies, the Act further promote the development and use of renewable resources. It is because of the development of a set of effective legal system of circular economy, and strictly enforced, it makes use of renewable resources base has been achieved.



Regulation for EU countries

Actually within EU countries, DIRECTIVE 2008/98/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 19 November 2008 has defined the obligations of each countries on waste classification and recycling.
For instance: Directive 2006/12/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 April 2006 on waste (4) establishes the legislative framework for the handling of waste in the Community. It defines key concepts such as waste, recovery and disposal and puts in place the essential requirements for the management of waste, notably an obligation for an establishment or undertaking carrying out waste management operations to have a permit or to be registered and an obligation for the Member States to draw up waste management plans. It also establishes major principles such as an obligation to handle waste in a way that does not have a negative impact on the environment or human health, an encouragement to apply the waste hierarchy and, in accordance with the polluter-pays principle, a requirement that the costs of disposing of waste must be borne by the holder of waste, by previous holders or by the producers of the product from which the waste came.
Source: ‘DIRECTIVE 2008/98/EC OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL’