Overview
- Targets under consideration are mobile batteries, portable power stations, heated-tobacco devices, and e-cigarette devices.
- Municipalities would collect the items as household waste and transfer them to certified operators for resource recovery.
- Authorities cite a rise in fires and smoke during garbage collection and processing linked to discarded lithium-ion batteries.
- The expansion would mark the first addition to the Small Home Appliance Recycling Law’s list since its 2013 start, which covered 28 items such as personal computers.
- Related ministries met on Oct. 31 with Environment Minister Hirotaka Ishihara present as the Environment Ministry finalizes the framework for a FY2026 start.