Kitakyushu Eco-Town Concept - 1999 to 2023."

Kitakyushu Eco-Town Concept - 1999 to 2023."

**Background and Initial Concept (1990s)**
Based on its experience in overcoming serious pollution problems in the 1960s, Kitakyushu City was recognized by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry (now the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry) as an "Eco-Town Project" in 1997, aiming to transform itself into an industrial city based on resource recycling. This concept aimed to achieve "zero emissions" by promoting the recycling of waste and effective utilization of resources. Industrial waste recycling technologies were actively introduced, and pioneering efforts were made in cooperation with local businesses and academic institutions.

**Specific facility development and technology development (2000s)**
At "Kitakyushu Eco-Plaza" in Wakamatsu Ward, the central facility of Eco-Town, technology was developed to convert waste plastic into fuel and recycle more than 10,000 tons per year. In addition, the "Eco-Energy Kitakyushu" waste-to-energy plant has been established and has the capacity to supply electricity to 100,000 households annually. Through demonstration testing and commercialization of recycling technologies, a system to reduce the amount of waste generated has been developed, and a cooperative system between industry, academia, and government has been established.

**Citizen Participation and Education (2010s)**
In the 2010s, environmental education and promotion of citizen participation was strengthened, with learning opportunities offered at the Eco-Town Environmental Learning Center, with approximately 20,000 participants per year. Environmental awareness has spread throughout the community as opportunities for children and adults alike to learn about the importance of recycling and resource recovery have expanded. Local companies such as "TOTO Corporation" and "Nippon Steel Corporation" also actively participated in the Eco-Town concept, contributing to the development of recycling technology.

**Technological Innovation and Expansion into Asia (2020s)**
In the 2020s, the Eco-Town concept was further developed and new waste treatment facilities were established. At the Kitakyushu Eco-Plaza in Wakamatsu Ward, 12,000 tons of waste plastic were processed annually, waste oil and tires were reused, and the entire facility generated 30,000 megawatt hours of electricity annually. Furthermore, in collaboration with local companies, Kyushu Institute of Technology, and the University of Kitakyushu, the latest biomass boilers have been installed to reduce CO2 emissions by 20,000 tons per year.

**Expansion of Citizen Participation and International Expansion (after 2023)**
Environmental education has also been further expanded, with more than 30,000 people participating in learning centers each year. In addition, 5,000 citizen volunteers contribute to recycling activities and community cleanups, and environmental initiatives are taking root throughout the community. Furthermore, the technology is being exported to other Asian countries such as Indonesia and Thailand, with Jakarta, Indonesia, recycling 20,000 tons of waste per year, and the city's energy self-sufficiency rate has increased by 5 percent.

**CO2 Reduction Targets and Future Outlook**.
Kitakyushu City has set a goal of reducing CO2 emissions by 70 percent by 2050, and aims to realize a sustainable urban model through its Eco-Town concept. The installation of solar panels is expected to reduce CO2 emissions by 100,000 tons per year, and waste-derived fuels are used to increase energy efficiency throughout the city. The Eco-Town concept has become a model case for sustainable development and environmental preservation, attracting attention both domestically and internationally, and is expected to remain an important project that will support the future of the region and the planet.