History and current status of illegal dumping of construction waste (2000s-2020s)

History and current status of illegal dumping of construction waste (2000s-2020s)

Illegal dumping of construction waste emerged as a serious social problem in Japan in the early 2000s, when the amount of construction waste generated reached approximately 850,000 tons in FY2000, with illegal dumping accounting for about 90% of that amount. The problem is particularly pronounced in urban areas such as Tokyo, Saitama, and Chiba prefectures, as well as in populated areas such as Aichi and Osaka prefectures, where final disposal sites are under pressure. Illegal dumping of construction materials such as concrete and asphalt included toxic substances such as PCBs and asbestos, which also caused soil and groundwater contamination.

To address this problem, the government enacted the Construction Materials Recycling Law in 2002, requiring the recycling of concrete, asphalt, and wood. Major construction companies, such as Kajima Corporation and Shimizu Corporation, began investing in the construction of recycling facilities and the improvement of demolition techniques to reduce their environmental impact. However, illegal dumping in mountainous and depopulated areas around urban areas has not decreased, and illegal dumping was particularly concentrated in Aomori and Iwate prefectures due to low disposal costs.

In the 2020s, illegal dumping of construction waste in Japan continues to be a problem. A survey conducted by the Ministry of the Environment in FY2021 confirmed 107 new cases of illegal dumping, with the total volume reaching approximately 37,000 tons. Proper disposal has not been able to keep up with the situation, especially in areas with active urban development. Major general contractors Kajima Corporation and Shimizu Corporation are promoting recycling of waste materials and sorted demolition to improve the recycling rate, but the problem still remains.

Furthermore, the Ministry of the Environment has introduced a GPS-based waste transport management system to strengthen its monitoring system and take thorough action against violators. Tightness at final disposal sites remains serious, especially in urban areas, where the utilization rate of disposal sites remains high. Going forward, a sustainable waste disposal system must be established through the development of recycling technology through public-private partnerships, the training of waste disposal contractors, and public awareness activities.