### History of PCB Waste Disposal Project in Hibikinada Area, Kitakyushu City

### History of PCB Waste Disposal Project in Hibikinada Area, Kitakyushu City

**Start of the Project (2001-2004)**
In November 2001, the Environmental Agency (now the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency) received approval from the Ministry of the Environment for a project to dispose of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) waste in the Hibikinada area of Kitakyushu City. PCBs are toxic substances used in transformers and capacitors and have been identified as a long-term environmental contamination risk. The project was approved by the Ministry of the Environment. The project employed pretreatment technologies combining solvent cleaning and vacuum thermal decomposition, as well as dechlorination and decomposition technologies in liquid treatment. The facility began operations in 2004, and it was planned to take 12 years to complete the treatment.

**Early Results (2004-2010)**
The facility began operations as planned, and treatment of PCB waste brought in from Kyushu and Kansai proceeded. During this period, the Hibikinada facility was recognized as a model case that met safety standards and became a national center for PCB treatment.

**Treatment deadline extension (2010-2024)**
The original plan was to complete treatment by the end of FY2014, but the deadline was extended twice to accommodate newly discovered PCB waste and additional waste from excavation surveys. In 2021, at the request of the government, Kitakyushu City decided to continue the treatment project.

**Completion of operations and dismantling (after 2024)**.
On March 31, 2024, JESCO Kitakyushu Plant ceased operation. The total amount of PCB waste treated amounted to approximately 1,000 tons, and the facility was recognized as a successful example of PCB waste treatment in Japan and abroad. Since then, dismantling and removal of the facility has been underway and is scheduled to be completed around FY2029. After the removal, soil contamination investigation and safety confirmation will be conducted.

**Disposal of low-concentration PCB waste (ongoing)**
Treatment of low-concentration PCB waste is being handled by 31 certified contractors nationwide, and is also underway in Tobata Ward, Kitakyushu City. This treatment is scheduled to be completed by the end of FY2026. However, there is a huge amount of untreated transformers and other equipment contaminated in the manufacturing process, and continued awareness and efforts are needed to complete the treatment.

**Contribution to Environmental Preservation**.
For more than 20 years, the PCB treatment project in the Hibikinada area of Kitakyushu City has played an important role in environmental conservation in Japan. Through cooperation with local residents and businesses, this project has not only achieved safe and reliable waste disposal, but has also contributed to reducing future environmental risks.