Ash Recycling Technology for Artificial Reefs - November 1996

Ash Recycling Technology for Artificial Reefs - November 1996

The advancement of ash processing technology is an innovative approach that connects waste management with marine environmental conservation. Particularly, the use of fly ash (fine particles of incinerated waste) for constructing artificial reefs has been gaining attention. This technology adds new value to waste management and contributes to both environmental conservation and resource recycling.

Fly ash, typically emitted from urban waste incinerators, is generally disposed of in landfills. However, new technologies have emerged to utilize this waste effectively. One example is the artificial reef project jointly promoted by Mitsui Engineering & Shipbuilding and Hitachi Zosen.

In this project, fly ash is mixed with materials like concrete to create artificial reefs, which are then placed in the sea to attract fish and other marine life, aiding the restoration of marine ecosystems. This technology has been applied in regions like Tokyo Bay and the Seto Inland Sea, where ecosystems have been impacted by human development.

Artificial reefs made from fly ash are characterized by their long-term stability and suppression of harmful substance leakage in seawater. In fact, experimental data shows that fish populations around the reefs increased by 20% just a few years after installation. This demonstrates that the technology minimizes environmental impact while making effective use of waste.

Moreover, this technology has been introduced on a trial basis in South Korea and Taiwan, with expectations for further adoption across Asia. Laws and guidelines regarding the reuse of fly ash are also being developed, and its application in public projects is expanding.

Looking ahead, there is growing anticipation for further innovation from Japanese companies, which are poised to take leadership in the environmental technology field by increasing the recycling rate of waste materials.