Interregional Differences in the Generation and Recycling of Solid Waste A Case Study of Fukui Prefecture

• Published in: Japanese Journal of Human Geography Vol. 56; no. 2; pp. 170 - 185
• Main Author: NAMIE, Akihiko
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English; Japanese
• Published: The Human Geographical Society of Japan 2004
• Subjects: Fukui Prefecture; interregional differences; recycling; solid waste; solid waste generation; Japan, Honshu, Fukui Prefect
• ISSN: 0018-7216; 1883-4086
• DOI: 10.4200/jjhg1948.56.170

In Japan, statistics show that the volume of solid waste being generated continues to increase. While the volume of this waste being disposed also increases, causing such problems as the scarcity of landfills and illegal dumping to worsen, the rate of waste being recycled remains low. According to 2000 government statistics, only 14% of all solid waste generated was recycled, despite continued attempts by the Japanese government to increase recycling. Throughout Japan, the volume of waste generated per capita and recycling rates vary widely among municipalities. Differences in regional characteristics such as residential composition, the living and natural environment, types of industries, municipal policies regarding waste disposal, and community-based recycling activities are considered to be the causes of these variations. This study examines the interregional differences in both the generation of solid waste (excluding industrial waste) and the recycling of solid waste in Fukui Prefecture by classifying its municipalities according to several factors. Following the analysis, this study found three main interregional differences in solid waste generation. The first interregional difference in the generation of solid waste exists between rural and urban municipalities. The volume of solid waste generated per capita in rural municipalities, which tend to have larger residences, is lower due to the tendency of residents with larger homes to store items regarded as waste instead of disposing of them. In contrast, the volume of solid waste generated per capita is higher in urban municipalities, where stores and restaurants tend to concentrate. This is likely due to the fact that business waste from stores and restaurants is combined with household waste. Second, interregional differences in solid waste generation exist among municipalities due to their varying policies regarding the sorting of solid waste. In this study, the volume of solid waste generated was found to be higher in municipalities that sort more waste to be recycled. Because residents are allowed to dispose of more types of items, the volume of all wastes generated (both recyclable and non-recyclable) per capita tends to be higher. On the other hand, municipalities with fewer waste sorting options tend to have less overall waste generation, but the percentage of waste which is recycled in these places is actually lower. Finally, two specific municipalities, Izumi Village and Ooi Town, each have unique circumstances that distinguish their solid waste generation from all other Fukui municipalities. Both generate considerably more solid waste per capita than other municipalities for vastly different reasons. Izumi Village is a tourist destination with a small local population. Thus solid waste generation per capita appears to be larger than normal. In the case of Ooi Town, on the other hand, all solid waste that is not incinerated or recycled is buried in a landfill in the local bay. In this case, the soil that must be mixed with the waste is also regarded as solid waste and thus greatly increases the per capita volume of waste generation. With regard to the recycling of solid waste, the relationship between community-based and municipality-based recycling determines interregional differences. Briefly, community-based recycling (CBR) consists of local groups collecting recyclable items and selling them to dealers, particularly in areas where local governments offer fewer recycling options. On the other hand, municipality-based recycling (MBR) refers to the collecting, sorting, and recycling of solid waste by local governments. This study classified municipalities in Fukui under four types, based on their use of CBR and/or MBR. The first type of municipality relies on and financially supports CBR.