### History of Final Disposal Sites and Waste Management in Japan

### History of Final Disposal Sites and Waste Management in Japan

#### 1990s: the first crisis and the start of legislation
In the 1990s, Japan faced a rapid increase in waste and a shortage of final disposal sites. In particular, 940,000 tons of industrial waste were illegally dumped on Teshima Island in Kagawa Prefecture, requiring 52 billion yen to remove. 1991 saw the revision of the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law, which placed emphasis on reducing waste generation and promoting recycling. However, the remaining life of final disposal facilities is now less than 20 years, highlighting the tight situation.

#### 2000s: Transition to a Recycling-Oriented Society
In the 2000s, the Basic Law for Establishing a Sound Material-Cycle Society was enacted, encouraging the 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle). 2001 saw the enactment of the Home Appliance Recycling Law, and more than 4 million home appliances were collected annually. In 2008, the national waste disposal cost exceeded 2 trillion yen, requiring the construction of new treatment facilities. More than 6,000 cases of illegal dumping were detected each year, and illegal disposal was seen as a problem.

#### 2010s: Technological Innovation and Strengthening Interregional Cooperation
In the 2010s, wide-area cooperation among municipalities developed and waste disposal became more efficient. While biogasification of food waste and chemical recycling of plastics became widespread, the remaining life of final disposal facilities in the Tokyo metropolitan area reached approximately 301 years, and 196 years in the Kinki area. The amount of waste generated exceeded 45 million tons per year, and expansion of treatment capacity was required.

#### 2020s: Tightening disposal sites and new challenges
By the 2020s, the average remaining life of final disposal facilities nationwide is estimated to be 234 years, and the shortage of remaining capacity is becoming more serious in urban areas. In the Tokyo metropolitan area, the remaining life is reported to be 301 years, and in the Kinki area, 196 years. 2020 waste disposal costs amounted to 2.129 trillion yen, and total waste discharge amounted to 40.34 million tons per year. 2022 will see the start of operations of a new facility in Chiba Prefecture with an annual disposal capacity of 100,000 tons.