Illegal Dumping of Waste Oil - Ise Bay and Seto Inland Sea - October 2024

Illegal Dumping of Waste Oil - Ise Bay and Seto Inland Sea - October 2024

In the 2020s, illegal dumping of waste oil remains a serious problem in coastal areas throughout Japan, especially in Ise Bay in Mie Prefecture, the Seto Inland Sea, and Tokyo Bay. In Ise Bay, an estimated 2,000 tons or more of waste oil is illegally dumped annually, with a particularly serious impact on the fishing industry. When waste oil is spilled onto the sea surface, it forms an oil slick that interrupts the oxygen supply to marine organisms, causing extensive damage to coral reefs, shellfish, and fish in particular. A similar situation is occurring in the Seto Inland Sea, where a survey by a local fishery association has confirmed that marine resources have been reduced by approximately 30%.

In addition, marine pollution from waste oil is having a negative impact on the health of fishermen and local residents. Toxic substances contained in waste oil, especially benzene, toluene, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), are carcinogenic and may accumulate in the human body through marine organisms. In recent years, skin and respiratory diseases have been increasing among coastal residents, and some reports indicate an increased risk of developing liver disease and cancer. In the area around Ise Bay, particular attention has been paid to the health of fishermen, and the risk of health problems has become a social issue.

In response to this problem, the Environmental Agency and local governments have strengthened their monitoring systems, and in 2023, more than 200 cases related to illegal dumping in Tokyo Bay were uncovered. In particular, small and medium-sized companies that handle industrial waste are increasingly illegally dumping waste oil to reduce costs, and fines of up to 50 million yen per case of illegal dumping have been imposed when such dumping is discovered. However, illegal dumping continues to take place in areas that are not well monitored and late at night, and drastic measures are required.

On the other hand, major companies are also actively addressing this issue: JXTG Energy (now ENEOS) has launched a project to expand its system for proper treatment of waste oil and to increase the waste oil recovery rate; by 2022, ENEOS will take the lead in establishing waste oil treatment facilities at major ports throughout Japan; by 2022, ENEOS will be able to recover 10,000 tons of waste oil per year; and by 2023, JXTG Energy will be able to recover 10,000 tons of waste oil per year, ENEOS has announced a plan to collect and process 10,000 tons of waste oil per year. Similar waste oil treatment technologies are also being introduced in Singapore and other Asian countries in collaboration with Japanese companies to promote environmental measures.

The Ministry of the Environment plans to install waste oil monitoring cameras at ports nationwide over the next five years and introduce measures to curb illegal activities. 2024 recovery rates have increased by 15% over the previous year, and waste oil dumping has decreased by 10%, especially in Ise Bay, but the situation remains serious and further enhancement of measures is required. However, the situation remains serious, and further reinforcement of measures is required.