Trends in Disaster Waste Disposal Treatment After Large-scale Disasters: Preparative Measures that are Highly Effective

Abstract

Based on the lessons learned from the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese government pressed ahead with legal development and formulation of necessary plans, conducted technological and system studies, dispatched groups of specialists, etc. to prepare for the risk of the Nankai Trough Megathrust Earthquake and the Tokyo Inland Earthquake. Case studies show that, even in the emergency situation following a disaster, strict waste sorting helps the wastes to be treated properly and rapidly afterward and the associated costs to be managed at a low level. It is thus vital to build up and share knowledge and experience including the aforementioned practical task, i.e. repeat education and training, thereby increasing the effectiveness of the plans.