3Development of a System that Serves as a Platform for the Surveyof the Actual Conditions of Marine and River Debris
Hiroki Tomizawa, Lecturer, Faculty of Software and Information Science, Iwate Prefectural University
Resource Recycling Promotion Division, Environment and Life Department, Iwate Prefecture
Yuya Tanaka, Representative Director of Badass Co., Ltd.
Kotaro Shibuya, Regional Cooperation Coordinator, Research & Regional Cooperation Information Headquarters, Iwate Prefectural University

Applicableprinciple

Collected garbage

Principle 9: A commitment to promoting sustainability through education

1. Activity Overview
There is worldwide concern about the negative impact on
ecosystems, living environments, fisheries, tourism, and soon, due to global environmental pollution caused by marineand river debris. Because marine debris flows into the sea
from inland areas through rivers, in Japan, it is considered
important not only to collect marine debris, but also to control
the marine debris through a united effort of stakeholders in thebasin areas from mountains to rivers and oceans. It is important
for local governments to take actions too (“Basic Policy toTake Measures against Marine Debris Comprehensively andEffectively” Ministry of the Environment, May 2019).
Iwate Prefecture formulated the “Second Phase Iwate
Prefecture Regional Plan for Promoting Measures against
Marine Debris” in March of 2023. In the plan, it is statedthat the prefecture aims to build a system to visualize
natural environmental conservation activities with the fullparticipation of all citizens of the prefecture, because, inorder to control the emmission of waste plastics into oceans, acohesive effort of diverse players is needed and the promotionof environmental cleanup campaigns is not only necessary incoastal areas, but across the entire prefecture.

2.3 Developing a Prototype Web
Application for Data Posting
2.1 Establishment of a System Concept
Since the system is intended to encourage the participationof all citizens of the prefecture, it is necessary to establish
an easy-to-understand concept that covers everyone fromchildren to adults. Therefore, the concept was defined as “asystem that visualizes natural environmental conservation
activities with data provided by prefectural citizens so that anenvironmental cleanup campaign is promoted.” In addition,a screen image was created for the system which was named“minoru Iwate.” Minoru means “bearing fruit” which implies
imagery and assoiations such as “action bears fruit” and“data bears fruit.” Since there are many scenic spots in theprefecture, data can be collected that is not limited to marine
debris, but also includes places with beautiful scenery.

As part of the graduation research of the research teammembers (students), a prototype web application for providing
data that can be linked with “Minoru Iwate” was developed.
The application enables posting images and location data ofdebris and beautiful scenery, and displaying a map of thelocations of public trash cans. It is intended to be used whilewalking. Five students evaluated the prototype and madepositive comments such as “Posting beautiful photos increasesmotivation” and “The design is simple and easy to use.” On theother hand, there was also a constructive opinion, “It would
be better if there is a game element using a map.” In addition,in the “Eco-Products 2022,” comments were received such as,“This could be a good opportunity to think about picking up
garbage, which we donʼt think about routinely,” “It can be usedin other situations, such as tourism and disaster prevention”
and “The idea of mapping public trash cans is interesting.” On
the other hand, there was also a constructive opinion, “I wantgame elements that parents and children can enjoy together.”

3. Future Activities“Eco-Products 2022” scene

Although the beautiful scenery and marine resources of someof the prefectureʼs rivers and coastlines are protected throughorganized volunteer cleanup activities, such contributions are
not widely known in the prefecture. Individual peopleʼs dailycleaning activities are also essential for natural environmentalconservation. The team will continue to advance systemdevelopment and contribute to the promotion of naturalenvironmental conservation activities.

2. Progress of the Activity
Considering the above background, together with students
from the Faculty of Software and Information Science, theresearch team is working on phased steps to develop a systemthat will serve as a platform for the survey of the actual
conditions of marine and river debris as well as a prototype
application for posting data to encourage the participation ofcitizens of the prefecture.
In 2022, based on past research, the team established asystem concept, conducted a field survey, created a prototype
web-based system for the monitoring of data collection andvisualization, and developed a prototype web application
which is intended to be used for daily data posting. Theprototype web application was exhibited at “Eco-Products2022” held at Tokyo Big Sight in December.

Image of the system screen

2.2 Field Survey
On September 25, 2022, an “Autumn Zero Marine Debris
Walk 2022 in Iwate” was held at Ainohama, Mizuumi,
Ryoishi-cho in Kamaishi City. The research team members(students) participated in the event in order to understand theactual situation of coast cleanup activities and collect image
data intended to be registered in the system. The resulting
findings include: there are marine debris that can be collected(beverage bottles and cans, pieces of wood, fishing nets, etc.)
and cannot be collected (debris in dangerous places, large
debris, microplastics, etc.); there was more garbage at thewaterʼs edge; it was difficult to record during cleanup activities.
Prototype web application screen examples

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