A new law requiring manufacturers to recycle used refrigerators, televisions, washing machines, and air conditioners goes into effect next month in Japan. Most firms appear to be ready to take on some of the additional costs of recycling the appliances. In some cases, consumers may have to pay $20 to $40 to recycle their appliances. Each year, the Japanese discard about 20 million appliances; how many are recycled under the new law will depend in part on whether it is strictly enforced.
