Four motorcycle makers and 11 importers said Monday they will begin recycling motorcycle parts in October using an existing framework for recycling home appliances.
Honda Motor Co., Yamaha Motor Co., Suzuki Motor Corp. and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. will take the action voluntarily with the importers. Motorcycles hitting the market from October will feature recycling stickers and will be sold at prices including the recycling cost, they said.
The move comes before recycling vehicle parts becomes mandatory next year under a new law, which does not cover motorcycle parts.
A total of 190 collection sites for home appliances across Japan will also serve as motorcycle recycling stations. This will be in addition to 15,000 designated motorcycle dealers.
By the end of September in 2011, people who dispose of motorcycles sold before October this year will have to shoulder a certain amount of the recycling cost, which will vary among motorcycle manufactures.
Honda said Monday it will charge 4,120 yen to recycle a motorcycle. Other companies are expected to decide on their charges later.
Currently, most used motorcycles are exported to other countries. The Japan Automobile Manufactures Association estimates recycled motorcycle parts amount to only 1 percent of those of vehicles on a weight basis.