On April 1, 2026, Japan added power banks, mobile phone equipment including smartphones, and heated tobacco devices to the designated recycling products covered by the Act on the Promotion of Effective Utilization of Resources. The scheme requires manufacturers and import sellers to arrange collection and recycling of used products.
Before disposing of a device, identify its manufacturer and model, check for swelling or damage, and look up the collection instructions from the manufacturer or your municipality. Collection points accept different products and conditions, so check before taking anything to a collection box.
What changed in April 2026
The additions were established through an amendment to the Act's enforcement order under a Cabinet Order promulgated on December 12, 2025. They took effect on April 1, 2026. This article was written on November 12 of the same year and describes the change after it took effect.
| Added category | Familiar products | Where to check before disposal |
|---|---|---|
| Power supply devices | Power banks | Manufacturer collection instructions, or JBRC collection partners if the product meets their conditions |
| Mobile phone equipment | Smartphones and other mobile phones | Collection services offered by manufacturers, retailers, or other providers |
| Heated tobacco devices | The device used to heat tobacco | Dedicated collection instructions from the manufacturer or other collection provider |
Lithium-ion batteries themselves were already covered by collection and recycling requirements. The additions extend coverage to products with built-in batteries that are difficult to remove, to improve collection of those products. Power bank collection also existed before April.
The Japanese term for the scheme, often translated as "voluntary collection," refers to collection arranged by manufacturers themselves or through contractors. Businesses covered by the scheme are required to act in line with criteria set by the government. Users choose a collection point by checking the instructions from the company or municipality concerned.
Check the labels and condition of the device
Look on the device or in its manual for the manufacturer, model, and battery type. Labels such as "Li-ion" or "lithium-ion battery" can help. Rechargeable products may contain a battery even if you cannot find a label.
Once you know the model, check the manufacturer's collection instructions and recall information. If the device is recalled, follow the contact details and return procedure provided for that product.
You also need to check for swelling, cracks, water damage, and unusual heat. When asking a collection service for advice, give the manufacturer and model and describe any problems with the device. This makes it easier to confirm whether it can be accepted.
Check the conditions set by manufacturers, JBRC, and municipalities
Manufacturer instructions identify collection services, partner stores, or other routes. Check the destination, accepted products, and whether you need to contact the service before visiting. Inclusion in the scheme does not mean every retailer accepts products from every manufacturer.
For power banks, another option is a collection partner of JBRC, the Japanese organization that collects small rechargeable batteries. Its main acceptance conditions include:
- The product must be from a JBRC member company.
- The battery must be clearly identifiable as an accepted type.
- It must have no damage, water damage, swelling, or other abnormalities.
A recycling symbol alone does not establish eligibility. Products from unknown manufacturers or non-member companies, and products with abnormalities, are outside JBRC's collection scope. Check the separate instructions for smartphones and heated tobacco devices too; do not assume JBRC accepts them on the same terms as power banks.
If the manufacturer or a partner store cannot accept the product, ask your municipality's waste collection department. To find its instructions online, search for your municipality's name together with the Japanese words for "lithium-ion battery disposal." Waste categories and collection locations vary by area, so do not apply another municipality's instructions to your own.
Ask before taking in a swollen or damaged device
Stop charging and using a device if it is swollen or unusually hot. Do not run it again to drain the battery before disposal. Do not place a device with abnormalities in an ordinary collection box without checking with the service.
Tell the manufacturer or municipality about its condition and ask how to store it until handover and how to bring it in. If JBRC cannot accept it, avoid mixing it with general waste and follow the instructions from the service you consult.
Power banks can be collected as complete units, so do not dismantle them to remove the battery. For other devices, avoid forcing a battery out and check the manual and the collection service's instructions.
For batteries that have no abnormalities and can be handled safely, follow the collection service's instructions on reducing the remaining charge and covering exposed metal terminals with insulating tape. Tape does not make an ineligible product acceptable. Choosing a collection route first helps you prepare it correctly.
Check collection arrangements when choosing a replacement
If you are considering a replacement, check the new product's manufacturer, contact details, and collection instructions for when you finish using it. The eventual collection route can be a selection factor alongside capacity and charging connections.
For example, when looking for a USB-C power bank in the 10000mAh range, compare the output needed by your devices, the weight, and the manufacturer's collection conditions as well as capacity.
