In this paper, we defined “stocked waste” as potential waste from unused belongings that had been stored up in a house over time; we look at this from the viewpoint of problems that arise on occasions of clearing up. We summarised those problems particularly related to the elderly, including themes such as “gomi-yashiki (hoarded house)”, “clearance of deceased’s belongings”, “increase of vacant houses”, and “difficulties adhering to the 3Rs”. We have assessed the factors relating to accumulation that increase the stocked waste, by categorising them into those on the physical difficulties of disposal, and psychological or psychiatric aspects. Finally, we noted the importance of activating the positive characteristics of senior citizens in promoting the 3Rs.

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This paper summarizes issues surrounding garbage disposal for the elderly and introduces some of the current measures being taken up by municipalities based on results of a nationwide questionnaire survey (n＝1137) conducted by National Institute for Environmental Studies. It was shown that the introduction rate of systems to support garbage disposal specifically for the elderly was higher in municipalities that directly manage garbage collection for all households, as compared to municipalities that outsource collection. We also indicated that municipalities already implementing door-to-door collection for all households could also introduce measures to offer support to the elderly.
We then classified garbage disposal support systems into four types and introduced some specific cases: (A) direct support type by direct management; (B) direct support type by commission; (C) community support type; and (D) systems that allow flexibility for garbage disposal. Finally, we summarized the characteristics of each support type from these seven aspects: (1) securing collection personnel; (2) scope of garbage transportation; (3) cost breakdown; (4) geographic coverage; (5) communication/safety confirmation; (6) secondary effect on supporters; and (7) willingness to be supported. The authors concluded that municipalities planning to introduce systems to support elderly community members with garbage disposal should design their systems based on a good understanding of the characteristics for each support type and the specific regional situations, including collection systems currently in use

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Hoarding is defined as the “acquisition of, and failure to discard, possessions which appear to be useless or of limited value”. Since the 1990s, in the fields of clinical psychology and psychiatry, many studies on hoarding have been conducted with the perspective that hoarding and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) are closely linked. On the other hand, however, there is also an insistence that hoarding is a normal act likely to become a habit for anyone, i.e. non-clinical individuals.
This article therefore focuses on two types: the more serious compulsive hoarding by clinical individuals and hoarding by non-clinical individuals who make it part of their everyday life. The paper then summarizes various research tasks for understanding hoarding based on previous studies. More practically, this study covers the relevant factors of hoarding, such as other mental diseases and the home environment during the childhood period, characteristics of hoarders, reasons behind the hoarding habit, and various problems caused by hoarding. Finally, preventions and countermeasures regarding hoarding are discussed.

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The so-called “house of squalor” is a term that refers to any building, room or land left in a state where garbage has been strewn and stacked up over the years, although it was never originally meant to be a dumping ground. It is a particularly difficult situation because one must respond to the needs of the residents themselves while also having to physically carry out garbage to appropriate collection sites, amongst other things that need to be handled. Many of the people who have resided in such “houses of squalor” are often found to be suffering from states of self-neglect. Based on a review of literature and research results, authors define self-neglect to be “the condition whereby a person has abandoned personal hygiene habits and the overall upkeep of their health and living conditions to a level where they are no longer maintaining a healthy and balanced personal and social life”. In many such cases giving support to those in this situation can be very difficult to deal with, but in fact, they are in urgent need. More important than trying to clean up the mess, it is necessary to recognize that the person lacks the emotional ability to ask for support. A friendship of trust and respect must be established so that the individual’s own self determination can strengthen, which will allow them to move toward a safe and healthy lifestyle.

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In order to clarify the current situation regarding hoarding of materials in people’s homes and bulk waste disposal, we conducted several on-site surveys and a web-based questionnaire survey (n＝1037). Our survey revealed that 77.6% of elderly households had at least one oversized bulk waste disposal, which often consisted of a large mixture of items to be discarded. For many items, 20-30% of the all households had at least one bulk waste disposal, but there was no difference between homes of the elderly and others. As for the reason behind hoarding, clear differences were observed between elderly households and other households, for example, the elderly’s strong feeling of “mottainai,” or “not letting anything go to waste” along with the extra space available for storing things once children have left home. In conclusion, it was suggested that multiple factors result in the hoarding of a multitude of materials, which finally must be disposed of.

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With the onset of an ageing society and an increase of elderly-only households, it has become difficult for surviving relatives to manage the belongings of the deceased (hereafter termed “relics”). This has resulted in the emergence of what is known as relics clearance businesses. This paper discusses the implications of the licensing regulations under the current waste disposal law with regard to these relics clearance businesses, and points out the necessity of incorporating the concept of relics waste in waste management plans of local authorities.
Four possible measures are suggested : (1) Carriage and disposal by direct service operation of the local authority ; (2) Exceptional acceptance on the carriage of one-off bulk disposal of household waste by licensed general waste collection companies ; (3) Specific licensing on carriage and disposal of relics waste : (4) Establishment by the central government of guidelines that specify the conditions under which relics clearance business are given exceptional permission on the carriage of waste.
Lastly, issues for waste management administration in facilitating the prevention of accumulating relics waste are identified from the viewpoint of an elderly citizen.

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At the Waste Reduction Promotion Conference of Kyoto, the term “stocked waste” was defined as “potential waste accumulated in households”, which may have to be discharged in the future triggered by some circumstance or event. Members of the Waste Reduction Promotion Conference of Kyoto conducted surveys and discussed what has the potential to become “stocked waste” and under what circumstances is it finally discharged into the waste stream. Not only large furniture pieces and electrical items, but also small household appliances, clothes, and books may become “stocked waste”. These tend to be discharged at various points in someone’s lifetime, not only upon the death of the owner. Members came to the realization that taking measures and raising awareness to prevent accumulation of “stocked waste” is crucial, along with the promotion of reuse and appropriate treatment at the point of discharge.
This paper describes the activities of the Waste Reduction Promotion Conference of Kyoto and the Institute for Non Profit Organization Life Design, which have been collaborating since 2015 on the theme “Organization and storage aimed at throwing away as little as possible”. We’ve also worked on the implications involved in working to create changes in the mental and physical conditions of elderly people.

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