Illegal Waste Dumping Issues - April 2007

Illegal Waste Dumping Issues - April 2007

In 2007, the issue of illegal waste dumping once again became a serious problem in areas such as Tsuchiura City and Kashima City in Ibaraki Prefecture. Specifically, industrial waste such as waste oil, sludge containing heavy metals, and construction waste has been dumped in large quantities in forests and vacant lots, raising concerns about groundwater and soil contamination. Field surveys have detected lead and arsenic exceeding standard values, raising the possibility of health damage to nearby residents.

In this case, suspicions arose regarding the involvement of the waste disposal company "Higashi Kanto Recycling Co., Ltd.," which led to the arrest of those responsible by the Ibaraki Prefectural Police for illegal activities. Additionally, about 100 tons of waste were found in a dumping site on the outskirts of Tsuchiura City, necessitating coordinated efforts between the prefecture and the Ministry of the Environment for its removal.

During the 2010s, new issues of illegal waste dumping emerged in northern Ibaraki Prefecture. On the outskirts of Hitachi City, chemical factory effluent entered the groundwater systems in mountainous areas, and some residents reported health damages. In this case, the local company "North Kanto Chemical" received administrative guidance for inadequate effluent treatment. Furthermore, in Kashima City in 2015, an illegal waste disposal operator was exposed, and tens of thousands of tons of industrial waste were confirmed. This led to a revision of the licensing standards for waste treatment facilities.

In the 2020s, the problem of illegal waste dumping in Ibaraki Prefecture has become even more complex. Near Tsukuba City, illegal dumping of electronic waste was discovered, with about 200 tons of waste circuit boards and used batteries found. These contained lithium, lead, cadmium, and other substances, raising issues with illegal dumping despite advancements in recycling technologies. Particularly, the case involving "Ibaraki Clean Service Co., Ltd." raised suspicions of illegal exports overseas.

To address these issues, Ibaraki Prefecture has introduced the AI-powered waste tracking system "EcoTrack2025" to facilitate the early detection of illegal activities. Additionally, Kashima City has started using surveillance drones to patrol waste dumping sites and identify dumping locations. On the other hand, approximately 5 billion yen was allocated for removal operations in fiscal 2023 alone, increasing the financial burden.

Through these efforts, Ibaraki Prefecture aims to ensure environmental conservation and the safety of its residents, while striving for a fundamental resolution to the problem of illegal dumping.