In order to promote a circular economy and realize a decarbonized society, it is necessary to make the best use of finite resources. Along with that, use of the right resource for the right place ― spatially, qualitatively, economically and temporally in synch ― is also important.
　For that purpose, information sharing through collaborations between industry, government, and academia are indispensable. To meet such challenges two organizations were formed: the IoT Council of Waste Management and Recycling was established in 2016 and the Information Technology Utilization Research Group of the Japan Society of Material Cycles and Waste Management Research was established in 2018. In addition to introducing an overview of all activities and the progress of examination, the paper discusses the necessity for DX in the waste treatment/recycling industry and the way forward for achieving a circular economy in the future.

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The Ministry of the Environment (MOE) has identified the realization of a “decarbonized society” that will contribute to carbon neutrality by 2050 and a “transition to a circular economy” as important measures for building a sustainable and resilient society in light of the spread of the new coronavirus infection. For the realization of a circular economy, reduction of resource inputs and thorough resource recycling throughout the entire life cycle of products are required. Information technology, including IoT, should also be important contributions to this goal. MOE has been verifying the effectiveness of the resource recycling process through utilization of digital technology, including from the perspective of decarbonization. It has also been studying the development of a platform for information sharing among the related parties for effective use of reused products and useful metals. We plan to continue our efforts for shifting to a circular economy in order to contribute toward decarbonization through demonstration projects planned for FY2021 implementation.

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The field of waste and resource recycling still requires a deeper focus on certain aspects, including further promotion of the 3Rs, improvement of resource efficiency, response to the labor shortage, ensuring of occupational safety, and improvement of the working environment for that purpose. This paper introduces the study project being carried out by the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency Environmental Research Comprehensive Promotion Fund (3-1905). This research aims to examine the potential of introducing ICT/AI that can be applied for optimal management of the reverse supply chain and clarify its effect.

　Four sub-themes have been set and are being carried out as follows:
　1) Promotion of resource circulation efficiency and appropriate disposal through realization of ICT/AI-based interaction between discharging and disposing dealers.
　2) Optimization of matching between supply and demand in expectation of upgrading waste to energy through usage of energy in industries.
　3) Upgrading of maintenance and management of facilities based on utilization of ICT/AI to thermal recovery processing of industrial waste.
　4) Upgrading of safety management and productivity and the promotion of appropriate disposal by applying ICT technologies at industrial waste disposal businesses.

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Practical examples of digital transformation involving IT and AI technologies are explained, including technology aimed at increasing business profits while at the same time decreasing CO₂ emissions from waste collection vehicles. The quantitative effects of an AI-driven waste collection vehicle dispatching system and all-in-one B2B online web portal to support contract and manifest are introduced based on real operation results since 2014 and improvement in management over the last one year. Problems and solutions for realizing material resources circulation and circular economy concepts are discussed in the paper, referencing some of the weaker points observed in the operations at Japanese companies.

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The following cases relating to our research and development activities are introduced in this article:
　・An insolubilizing agent for environmental pollutants to be used at building demolition sites and a vibration power generation apparatus which is attached to a crusher: a collaborative project with Gunma Industrial Technology Center.
　・A power generator using oscillation of the crusher: a joint development project with Gunma Industrial Technology Center.
　・A machine which automatically sorts objects in the top layer of multi-layered stacking: a joint development project with Tokyu Construction Co.. Ltd and Institute of Technology.
　・A wind power generator activated by exhaust emissions from industrial sized dust collectors: a collaborative research project with Iino Laboratory at Ashikaga University.
　・A study on Health and Satoyama: a project conducted with The Public Health Institute and Nawata Laboratory at Tokyo University.

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Since waste plastics emit carbon dioxide when incinerated, their repeated use as recycled materials is important; not only for improving resource efficiency but also as a measure against climate change. In the Plastics Recycling Strategy released by the Japanese government in May 2019, it is stated that, “the recycling of plastics (use of recycled materials) will be doubled by 2030,” making it essential to promote investment and innovation. On the other hand, regulations against hazardous substances, such as RoHS Directive and POPs Convention, are being strengthened, and the use of recycled materials requires the same response as that of virgin materials. In order to ensure the quality of recycled materials in terms of both physical properties (strength) and hazardous substances, it is inevitable to utilize sensing technology to directly detect substances in the sorting process and in quality control. This paper describes the use of sensing technology in closed loop plastic recycling of home appliances promoted by Mitsubishi Electric Corporation.

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The main trend in construction of new Waste-to-Energy (WtE) plants is now DBO (Design, Build, Operate) projects, in which a private-sector company undertakes a long-term operation and maintenance contract for about 20 years after construction. This is in addition to the original EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) contract for construction of the facility. For this reason, plant construction companies are working on various technological developments to provide stable and secure facility operations with fewer people in the operation business area.
　As one of these efforts, JFE Engineering (JFE) has been developing technology to automate the monitoring operation work that requires the maximum time to operate a plant and which has been performed for stable combustion management of the waste incinerator. In July 2020, JFE Engineering announced the industry’s first fully automated incinerator operation utilizing AI and Big Data Analysis “BRA-ING” as a product. The company is currently expanding to introduce this to facilities where JFE operates.
　This article introduces the background of the development of automatic operation technology for WtE plants. It demonstrates that stable combustion management is possible without the need for operator monitoring and operation work in facilities that have introduced this technology in actual operation.

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As a result of the corona shock, there has been a social demand to shift to contactless waste collection. This paper describes prospects for contactless and automated waste collection using examples from overseas as well as the efforts of the author’s research group. Specifically, smart waste bins that feature compressing and a sensing function along with a mobility system with an automatic driving function are presented as examples of the efforts aimed at automation of waste collection. The authors also point out that one of the problems in Japan’s smart cities is a lack of initiatives related to flow, including waste collection. It will be essential to accumulate all efforts for contactless/automated waste collection with a medium- to long-term perspective as a means of networking toward a decarbonized society.

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[in Japanese]

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[in Japanese]

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