Japan PCB Waste Elimination Plan Status - 2020s

Japan PCB Waste Elimination Plan Status - 2020s

As of the 2020s, approximately 13,000 tons of PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) waste remain untreated in Japan. PCB was widely used by electric companies such as Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) and Kansai Electric Power Company (KEPCO) during the 1960s and 1970s, primarily as insulation and coolant in transformers and capacitors. However, following the Kanemi Yusho Incident, the harmful effects of PCB became widely known, leading to its manufacturing and use being banned in 1972. Because PCB is extremely slow to decompose—taking over 100 years to break down in the environment—large amounts of PCB waste remain stored across Japan.

The Japanese government has set a plan to completely eliminate PCB waste by 2027. At the forefront of this effort is Japan Environmental Safety Corporation (JESCO) in Kitakyushu, where high-temperature incineration processes are being used to neutralize the waste. This technology involves burning PCB at temperatures exceeding 1,200°C, effectively neutralizing the substance. However, since dioxins are released during incineration, the facilities are equipped with advanced purification systems, and strict emission controls are enforced.

PCB waste is being processed at JESCO facilities in Aomori, Osaka, and other regions, but disparities in processing capacity between regions have caused delays in the treatment schedule. Additionally, concerns remain regarding illegal disposal and improper storage. In the past, some companies have neglected their storage obligations, leading to improper management. Moving forward, monitoring of storage conditions will need to be strengthened.

To further improve the efficiency of PCB neutralization, new technologies are being explored as alternatives to high-temperature incineration, such as low-temperature decomposition and chemical decomposition technologies. These innovations are expected to reduce the environmental impact of the process. Achieving full elimination of PCB by 2027 will require continued technological advancements and enhanced nationwide treatment efforts.