Abstract
In an aging society such as Japan, the development of systems to support elderly people who face difficulties in carrying their garbage to collection points is a major waste management issue. This case study, set in the Morinosato-danchi of Tsukuba City, examines the psychological factors behind the willingness of elderly people to use garbage disposal support systems organized by the residents′ association and local government.
Besides the “burden of garbage disposal,” which includes a “physical burden” as well as a “mental burden”, the “willingness to use a support system” was affected by other psychological factors (i.e. “social connection/security” and “concern for privacy/modesty”). It was revealed that for women, because they feel a strong “concern for privacy/modesty”, developing a trusting relationship is very important when it comes to mutual assistance being offered by the residents′ association. The study also found that for people above 75 years, there is a hefty “physical burden” related to garbage disposal and they earnestly desire assistance, regardless of whether mutual help or public help is provided. It is preferable that the local government establishes a support system that optimizes a combination of mutual help and public help based on the needs and expectations of the elderly population.
