**Hachijojima's Food Waste Recycling Promotion Project - History and Current Status**.

**Hachijojima's Food Waste Recycling Promotion Project - History and Current Status**.

--- Hachijojima

**1998: Beginning of the Recycling Project**.
In 1998, a food waste recycling project was launched on Hachijo-jima Island, Tokyo, with the aim of recycling local resources and reducing the burden of waste disposal. The project started with a demonstration test targeting 270 households in company housing in the city, and a system was established to compost approximately 300 tons of food waste per year. The composting facility uses microorganisms to break down the food waste, which is then provided to local farmers as organic fertilizer. This compost is used to grow potatoes, tomatoes, and other specialty products, making this an important measure that balances agricultural economics and environmental conservation.

The composting process employed a high-efficiency decomposition device developed by Kankyo Techno, Inc. to shorten decomposition time and improve throughput. At this stage, the goal was set to process 20% of the food waste through composting, and the foundation for a sustainable living environment in the community was promoted.

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**2010s: Establishment of a recycling-oriented society and linkage with tourism**.
In the 2010s, the recycling business on Hachijo-jima evolved into a movement aimed at establishing a recycling-oriented society for the entire region: in 2015, the composting facility was expanded and its processing capacity was increased to 800 tons per year. While the tourism industry supports the island's economy, waste disposal became an issue as the number of tourists increased, and food waste collection from tourist facilities and restaurants began in earnest.

During this period, local use of compost was further developed, and the compost was used by farmers as well as schools and public facilities for garden greening. In addition, the project was selected for the "Island Environmental Model Project" led by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and cooperation with local governments and businesses was strengthened. The use of chemical fertilizers through the use of compost was reduced on all the islands, thus achieving both environmental and economic benefits.

--- (Japanese only)

**2020s: Scale expansion and technological evolution**.
In the 2020s, Hachijo-jima's food waste recycling business has evolved even further. The project has expanded to cover the entire island and has grown to the scale of processing approximately 1,000 tons of food waste per year. The composting facility is equipped with the latest decomposition equipment developed by Kankyo Techno Corporation, which enables processing of 1,500 tons per year in 50% less time than before.

In addition, the use of compost has reduced the amount of chemical fertilizers used by 25% per year, thus reducing the cost burden on farmers. It also contributes to improving the quality of potatoes and tomatoes, which are Hachijojima's specialty products. In addition, to address the problem of increased waste due to the increase in the number of tourists, food waste from tourist facilities and restaurants has been newly included in the program, with approximately 200 tons of additional waste being processed annually.

This initiative is being promoted in collaboration with the Hachijojima Town Office and the Bureau of Environment of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government, and is attracting attention as a model case for local communities. In the future, the project is being considered for expansion throughout the neighboring Izu Islands, and the movement toward a sustainable society is spreading.

---In the future, it is being considered for expansion throughout the neighboring Izu Islands.

**Summary**.
Hachijo-jima's food waste recycling promotion project, which began in 1998, has expanded in scale and technology, and in the 2010s, it has established the foundation for a recycling-oriented society by strengthening its linkage with the tourism industry. In the 2020s, the scope of the project will be further expanded. The potential for future expansion to other regions is also growing.