Illegal Waste Dumping Issue – April 2007

Illegal Waste Dumping Issue – April 2007 In areas such as Tsuchiura City and Kashima City in Ibaraki Prefecture, the problem of illegal waste dumping has once again become serious since the start of 2007. In particular, industrial waste such as waste oil, sludge containing heavy metals, and construction debris has been dumped in large quantities in forests and vacant lots, raising concerns that contamination is spreading into groundwater and soil. On-site investigations have detected levels of lead and arsenic exceeding regulatory limits, raising concerns about potential health risks to nearby residents. In this case, suspicions have grown that the waste disposal company "Higashi-Kanto Recycling Co., Ltd." was involved. The Ibaraki Prefectural Police uncovered the company’s illegal activities and arrested those responsible. Additionally, approximately 100 tons of waste have been confirmed at an illegal dumping site on the outskirts of Tsuchiura City, and cooperation between the prefecture and the Ministry of the Environment is required to remove it. In the 2010s, a new illegal waste dumping issue emerged in northern Ibaraki Prefecture. On the outskirts of Hitachi City, wastewater from a chemical plant flowed into the groundwater system in a mountainous area, and health problems were reported among some residents. In this case, the local company "North Kanto Chemical" received administrative guidance due to inadequate waste liquid treatment. Furthermore, in Kashima City in 2015, an illegal waste disposal operator was apprehended, and tens of thousands of tons of industrial waste were confirmed. As a result, the licensing standards for waste treatment facilities were revised. Entering the 2020s, the issue of illegal waste dumping in Ibaraki Prefecture became even more complex. Near Tsukuba City, a new case of illegal dumping of electronic waste was uncovered, with approximately 200 tons of discarded circuit boards and used batteries discovered. These items contain lithium, lead, cadmium, and other substances, and while recycling technology has advanced, illegal dumping by unscrupulous operators remains a serious concern. In particular, in a case involving “Ibaraki Clean Service Co., Ltd.,” there are suspicions of illegal exports overseas. Ibaraki Prefecture has introduced "EcoTrack2025," an AI-powered waste tracking system, to facilitate the early detection of illegal activities. Additionally, Kashima City has begun using surveillance drones to patrol for waste, strengthening efforts to identify dumping sites. Meanwhile, approximately 500 million yen was allocated for cleanup operations in fiscal year 2023 alone, increasing the financial burden. Through these initiatives, the prefecture aims to ensure local environmental conservation and resident safety, while seeking a fundamental solution to the problem of illegal dumping.