Meanwhile, the plastics are recycled to be used in other Panasonic products including filter frames for use in air conditioners, detergent cases in washing machines and the bodies of vacuum cleaners and rice cookers.

Items such as TVs and washing machines are constantly changing in terms of design, but because of the importance placed on recycling in Japanese manufacturing, new designs are increasingly made so they are easily dismantlable. “In Japan, there is the Association of Home Appliances”, explains Otake. “Every manufacturer joins that association and they build up a sort of recycling manual out of which they can share knowledge and expertise on dismantling design – for instance the orientation and size of the screws used. Since HARL was enacted, every manufacturer has been keen to make their products more easily dismantlable.”

Looking forward, Panasonic, like all Japanese manufacturers, has to increase its recycling rate – with governmental targets there is no other option. But it is also looking to improve the quality of its plastic recyclates. “The aim is to make them more valuable for premium use rather than
low-grade use”, suggests Simon Eves, Head of Environmental Affairs at Panasonic UK. “We’re looking at being able to recover different resins and increase the level of purity of the recovering. Indeed, one of the recent techniques we’ve brought in is one that separates out the older plastics containing brominated flame retardants that have now fallen foul of legislation, so the recyclates are of a higher quality.”

Nakayama believes that the UK can learn from the way Japan shares responsibility with all stakeholders having their own duties in the supply chain. “It is like a baton relay”, he explains. “All these three stakeholders have to be closely connected and cooperate and have to pursue their individual responsibilities. Plus, the second thing is the very strong enforcement power by the Japanese government. This is crucial.”

Eves, however, warns that simply lifting the Japanese system wholesale may not be feasible. “There are some very great societal differences between the two countries. There is perhaps greater societal conformance to rules and regulations in Japan, and with the space limitations the societal need to work in harmony – which is a huge advantage – is stronger than the UK.”

But whilst this model of close cooperation and strong governmental enforcement may not be easily replicated, it is undeniably impressive. And with a recycling rate currently at 90 per cent, PETEC doesn’t seem to be doing a bad job of keeping mottanai at bay.