Waste Management (2)

As we discussed in the latest blog, the authorities and its legislations play a key role in urban waste management. Nevertheless, citizen’s awareness, as well as media is also important.

It remains me of the experience in Tokyo last year. In public spaces, rubbish bins and cleaners could hardly be discovered, but the city is still clean. Talked with friends in Japan, some reasons of this phenomenon could be achieved.

Few rubbish bins could be found in street in Japan

1.     Japanese citizens are used to collecting waste in rubbish bags, and bringing them back home for further management.

2.     A well-developed mechanism of waste classification and collaboration is built in Japan. Wastes are strictly classified into four categories: combustible wastes, incombustible wastes, oversized wastes and bottles and cans. Under those classification. Strict rules of waste collection are made for each classification. The combustible waste, including paper, rubber and plastic containers is collected twice a week. Incombustible waste, such as long plastic, metal and glass is collected once a month. Oversized waste, like furniture, and bottles and can are also collected regularly by council.

Rubbish will be collected by council each week

3.     To those who refuse to follow regulations, the council will give punishment, or even pay a visit and persuade.

4.     Sometimes media intervention could play a key role. Immediate exposure of negative behaviors could raise people’s awareness of waste management and form a good habit.

Again, waste management is quite complicated in any context. It demands collaborations among all stakeholders. Only when the state scientifically legislates, local councils efficiently conduct and citizens clearly build themselves with relevant knowledge and awareness, proper waste management could be realized.


Reference: 
http://jpninfo.com/9826
http://www.docin.com/p-379303605.html