Researchers Develop Plastic That Decomposes after Use

Hello everyone.

Welcome to "Learn Japanese from the News."

Thanks for joining us.

In this program, we'll learn Japanese and more about the country through Japanese news stories.

OK.

Today we're talking about efforts
to protect the environment.

Chiara, any eco-friendly habits
you practice?

I try to avoid using single-use plastic
whenever I can.

I also do my best to reuse
and recycle.

This entire outfit is thrifted!

All secondhand items? Wow.
It's a great look.

OK. Today's headline is: "Researchers Develop Plastic That Decomposes after Use"

Plastic pollution has become a major environmental concern.

Today's news story is about a new biodegradable plastic.

Before we go to the news clip, let's go over a few words to listen out for.

"purasuchikku" Plastic.

This is a loan word from English.

"bunkai-suru" decompose

"gomi" trash or waste

OK, let's watch the news clip.

Plastic becoming waste in the ocean and
elsewhere has become a problem worldwide.

University of Tokyo Prof. Iwata Tadahisa's lab has created a plastic that breaks down
in nature, such as in seawater,

and does not become waste.

Prof. Iwata mixed special enzymes into plastic, and produced a (plastic) film.

He then cut the film into small pieces
and placed them in seawater.

The enzymes in the finely-cut plastic
reacted with the water, and slowly, decomposition began.

Cutting the film up even more finely
made degradation faster.

Moving forward, Prof. Iwata hopes
to replace about 20% of all plastic with biodegradable plastic.

We heard the word "bunkai" mentioned multiple times, like in "bunkai-suru purasuchikku."

Chiara, how familiar are you with the word "bunkai-suru?"

So, I've heard it used a lot to mean "disassemble," kind of like when you take a watch to go get fixed and then taken apart.

That's right.

"Bunkai-suru" is a word you use to describe the act of breaking something down into its constituent parts.

Now, let's review some sentences from the story.

in seawater and other natural environments breaks down and does not become waste

created a plastic "umi no mizu nado no shizen no naka de

bunkai-sarete gomi ni naranai purasuchikku o tsukurimashita"

As you know, we use tons of "loan words" in Japanese.

"Purasuchikku" which means "plastics" is a good example.

Other easy examples would be "resutoran," which came from "restaurant," and "booto" which came from "boat."

But, sometimes, instead of just using loan words, we create new words.

Chiara, what do you call this in Japanese?

OK, this is a "petto-botoru."

Now it's sounds little bit like English but is actually a Japanese-coined term.

So, you don't say "plastic bottle" in Japanese.

Yes, we call it "petto-botoru."

So, how about this one?

This is a bag.

That's a tricky one.

That's a "reji-bukuro."

That's right!

"Reji" is the Japanese abbreviation for "cash register."

So it's literally a "cash register bag."

We don't call it a plastic shopping bag.

This is a good word to know.

Because, recently in Japan, stores have been charging for these bags, so you'll often get asked by the cashier,

"reji-bukuro wa hitsuyoo desuka" "reji-bukuro wa hitsuyoo desuka"

OK, let's review some sentences from the news story.

worldwide plastic

becoming waste in the ocean and elsewhere has become a problem

"sekai de purasuchikku ga

umi nado de gomi ni naru koto ga mondai ni natte imasu"

Today, we're focusing on the word "gomi."

In Japanese, we use this word to refer to waste material of all different types.

"Gomi" refers to things
that have been throw away, as well as the debris surrounding that.

It means "trash" or "waste."

You can modify "gomi" to indicate
what kind of garbage it is.

"Nama-gomi" refers to "kitchen waste"
or "wet waste" such as leftovers.

"Sodai-gomi" refers to household appliances
and furniture that are no longer needed.

What qualifies as "sodai" (bulky)
differs by municipality.

"Shigen-gomi" refers to trash that
can be recycled and used again.

Recyclables are a "shigen" (resource)
that can be reused.

"Moeru-gomi" (combustibles) is
sometimes called "kanen-gomi."

"Kanen" means "burnable."

"Moenai-gomi" (incombustibles)
can also be called "funen-gomi."

"Funen" means "unburnable."

"Kanen" and "funen" are good
Kanji to remember.

So you can sort and dispose
your trash properly.

In most parts of Japan, household waste is sorted and collected in a manner that ensures efficient disposal and recycling.

Chiara, how do you find Japan's trash sorting system?

So there are a lot of different rules and pickup times, and they all vary depending on where you live in Japan,

so in this time, the garbage collection calendar that is provided by your ward or city is your best friend.

That's right.

That being said, some of the rules for separating trash can be confusing even for those familiar with the system.

In Japan, separating your trash is a part of everyday life.

Here in Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward, trash is separated into recyclables, combustibles, incombustibles, and oversized garbage.

Collection days vary for each type by neighborhood.

Sometimes it can be hard to discern how to sort certain items.

Things made of iron...

umbrella stands...
umbrellas, for that matter.

Batteries.

I’m not sure how to
dispose of those.

So I just let them
accumulate at home.

It can be hard to discern if something
is combustible or incombustible.

Like the plastic packaging
frozen foods come in.

Plastic is supposed to be
Incombustible.

So plastic-ish items
can give you pause.

According to Shibuya guidelines, plastics are combustible.

Umbrellas and batteries are incombustible.

This international resident shares her thoughts.

In Vietnam we don’t separate our trash.

In Japan, the rules are strict.

If you wanted to throw
this bottle away, you have to remove the cap
and label, which is plastic.

The bottle itself is recyclable.

The rules are strict, but it’s better for the environment.

Yes, so she knows the system really well.

She does.

But it really is such a puzzle finding out how to properly dispose of more unusual items.

I've actually got a couple of broken plates that I've been spending two months...

Two months?

Trying to throw away correctly, and I still don't know how to do it.

So even you are finding it difficult to find the correct day.

Definitely. It's definitely a challenge sometimes.

It's confusing.

So, for our viewers in Japan, check your municipality's website for more information about garbage collection.

And that's all for today.

Please do access NHK's "NEWS WEB EASY" for more daily news stories presented in simple Japanese.

We'll see you next time.

See you soon!