Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan - April 2004

The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan was developed as part of an environmental business support strategy aimed at promoting the circulation of regional resources and achieving a sustainable society. This plan includes specific initiatives to leverage the industries and technologies within Okayama Prefecture to promote the formation of a recycling-oriented society.

### Key Features of the Plan
1. **Regional Mini Eco-Town Project**:
- Mini Eco-Towns will be established across various parts of Okayama Prefecture, creating models of recycling-oriented societies that utilize local resources and renewable energy. This "Regional Mini Eco-Town Project" aims to promote economic revitalization and reduce environmental impact by utilizing local resources and promoting renewable energy use.

2. **Resource Circulation Promotion Project**:
- Okayama Prefecture is implementing the "Resource Circulation Promotion Project," which supports the development of technologies and systems related to the utilization of circulating resources within the prefecture. This project provides specific support measures for businesses and municipalities within Okayama to realize a recycling-oriented society using environmental technologies.

3. **Specific Measures to Support Environmental Businesses**:
- Okayama Prefecture is the first region in Japan to codify support measures for environmental businesses in an ordinance. Specifically, the "Okayama Prefecture Coastal Industrial Zone Formation Promotion Ordinance" includes a system that provides subsidies for proposal projects related to the utilization of circulating resources. This system promotes the development of environmental technologies and business expansion.

### Main Initiatives
1. **Mizushima Complex**:
- The Mizushima Complex, which is central to the Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan, is being developed as a core region for recycling businesses. It serves as a model area for the Eco-Town Plan, with research and development of industrial waste treatment and resource recycling technologies.

2. **Recycling of Woody Waste Using Carbonization Technology**:
- A JFE Group company is leading an initiative to recycle woody waste by converting it into carbon using high-temperature continuous carbonization furnaces. The carbon is then used to produce secondary products such as flower pots and cat litter. This is an example of an initiative to reuse waste as a resource.

3. **Recycling of Waste Spray Cans**:
- Ryo Chemical is conducting a waste spray can recycling project that involves processing discarded spray cans in a nitrogen gas-sealed treatment facility and recycling them into aluminum and steel. The gas generated during this process is used for self-generation of electricity.

### Achievements and Future Outlook
The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan serves as a model case for balancing economic revitalization and environmental protection through the effective use of regional resources and the development of environmental technologies. This initiative is expected to have a ripple effect in other regions, and further progress toward a sustainable society is anticipated in the future.

The Okayama Prefecture Eco-Town Plan is drawing attention as an important policy to maximize the potential of the region and promote environmental businesses.