The discarded mountain and the people of Chiba: a record of a struggle for the future

The discarded mountain and the people of Chiba: a record of a struggle for the future

### Background and Countermeasures since 2001
In Chiba Prefecture in 2001, illegal dumping of waste in mountainous areas and vacant lots emerged as a serious problem that was undermining the nature of the region. In cities such as Futtsu and Kimitsu, 275 municipal officials were newly granted the right to enter and inspect the sites of illegal dumping, and kept a sharp eye on the sites. The soil and groundwater were contaminated by the discarded concrete debris and construction sludge, and the local ecosystem was in danger.

Chiba Prefecture, in cooperation with the local municipalities, set up a reporting desk to collect residents' voices. Approximately 500 reports were received annually, and prompt action was taken. The increase in the number of arrests and increased awareness of proper disposal is the result of community-wide efforts.

--- (Japanese only)

### Trends in the 2010s
Time has moved on to the 2010s. New surveillance cameras were installed in Chiba City, and approximately 200 cases of illegal dumping were recorded annually. Cases were also uncovered in Narita and Tateyama cities, where the total amount of waste reached 5,000 tons. Violations of the Waste Disposal and Public Cleansing Law resulted in fines totaling 150 million yen, but this did not eradicate illegal dumping.

The "Chiba Recycling-Oriented Society Promotion Project" was launched to promote the reuse of construction waste and the construction of a biomass facility in Kisarazu City. On the other hand, the shadow of illegal dumpers remained.

---Kisarazu City

### Current Situation in the 2020s
Today, in the mountainous areas of Narita and Kisarazu, waste wood and soil are still piled up in cruel piles. Heavy metals such as lead and hexavalent chromium seep into the surrounding environment, threatening farmland and groundwater. But the people of Chiba will not give in.

Monitoring using drones and the expansion of recycling facilities in Futtsu City have increased the capacity for proper disposal by 10,000 tons per year. The number of cases of illegal dumping caught has reached 350 per year, and the total amount of fines has exceeded 200 million yen. However, of the total amount of illegal dumping, which exceeds 100,000 tons, proper disposal is still 80%. Chiba Recycle Center Corporation and other companies are supporting this fight with their recycling technologies for construction waste.

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### Summary
As the phrase "The Mountains of Waste and the People of Chiba: A Record of the Struggle for the Future" suggests, this issue is a long struggle that the entire community of Chiba must shoulder. Further efforts are required to protect nature and open up the future.