Basic Theories of Composting
Utilizing Takakura Method Compostingfor Improving Waste Management

2019
Koji Takakura, Ph. D. (Engineering),
CONTRACT EXECUTIVE TECHNICAL ADVISOR,
Kitakyushu International Techno-cooperative Association
Senior Fellow, Institute for Global Environmental Strategies

Chapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
1.

Introduction

1.1

Waste issues and our society

Wastes are always generated when we engage in production activities and consume goods, regardless of thecountry or region. In ancient times, however, only limited matters were treated as wastes because mostwastes were derived from nature and the economic structure was that based on recycling of resources. For
example, during the Edo Period in Japan, even human excreta were referred to as “Kimpi (golden fertilizer),”
and were distributed as precious fertilizing components and traded at a fee. As can be seen, most of theobjects were handled as precious resources. In later years, the economy and technologies developed andmany products that are easy to handle and highly effective came to be offered at low prices, which changed
the judgment criteria on valuables. As a result, objects that used to be distributed as precious resources
came to be handled as wastes. Development of a large-scale waste disposal system was never necessary forJapan because the amount of wastes used to be so small, and thus wastes were abandoned on roadsides andvacant lots and were left in an unsanitary condition. Such a process that leads to an environmental issuecaused by the increase of wastes seems to be common all over the world.
Under the circumstances, the solution Japan chose in the year 1900 was to enact a law stipulating “wastes
shall be incinerated to the extent possible,” thus recommending incineration treatment. This led to weightand volume reduction and hygienic treatment of wastes by incineration treatment thereafter in Japan. In the
2000s, the amount of wastes generated still continued increasing, preventing issues such as lack of final
disposal sites from being solved only by weight and volume reduction through incineration treatment. Thus,
it was decided to promote the 3Rs (Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (including thermal recycling)) andformation of a recycling-type society where wastes are treated appropriately.
Especially important are the 2Rs (Reduce and Reuse) and resource circulation. The concept that “we should
not generate wastes. Wastes are to be sorted and turned into resources” was being practiced by ourancestors in the past years, so it is never difficult.
The table below summarizes issues in Japan related to waste treatment and a history of countermeasures
implemented.

1© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
Table 1-1: History of Waste Treatment Issues and Countermeasures in Japan
Years

Late 1800s
to early
1900s1945 to1950s

Situations and issues of waste treatment
Wastes were to be disposed of by the person
who generated them, or private-sector
disposal companies collected them, sorted
valuables and sold them, and the remaining
wastes were abandoned on roadsides andopen land lots, and accumulated in an
unsanitary condition.
The amount of urban wastes surged as the
economy developed and the population
started gathering in large cities, and thewastes were dumped into rivers and seas or
piled up in fields. Wastes were also scatteredon streets when they are transferred fromhandcarts for waste collection toautomobiles.

Measures for solving the issues
The “Sewage Cleansing Act” was enacted in1900 for promoting public hygiene. Wastes
were burnt at open land lots because the law
stipulated that “wastes shall be incinerated tothe extent possible.”
The “Public Cleansing Act” was enacted in
1954 to stipulate the responsibilities andobligations of the national government, regional
government and citizens. After the enactment of
the “Emergency Measures Act for Developing
Living Environment Facilities” in 1963,
construction of waste incineration facilities waspromoted in each municipality.
The “Environmental Pollution Prevention Act”
was enacted in 1967. The Public Cleansing Act
was amended overall to the “Waste
Management and Public Cleansing Act(hereinafter referred to as the Waste DisposalAct) in 1970, in order to develop basic systems
for waste treatment. The acts promoted
appropriate disposal facilities development
through national subsidies, and optimized final
disposal sites and enhanced the treatment
capacity of incineration facilities.

1960s to1970s

Urban wastes continued growing in theamount even further and were diversified,due to the changes in retail systems andconsumption activities accompanying the
rapid economic development and theconsolidation of volume-production andvolume-consumption-type economic
structure. Industrial wastes also increased.
Pollution issues became apparent.

1980s toearly 1990s

Greater consumption and further expansion of
production activities caused the waste amount tosurge, and more combustible wastes came to betreated by landfilling. As a result, the remaining
capacity and service years of final disposal sites
decreased. Large-scale illegal dumping occurred
due to the lack of awareness of compliance bybusiness entities and disposal companies.
Emission of dioxins from waste incineration
facilities became an issue.

Measures were attempted for steady
improvement in appropriate waste treatment.
The emphasis of measures shifted fromtreatment to suppression of discharged waste
amount, in order to deal fundamentally with theissues such as increase in waste generation andlack of final disposal sites.

The amount of wastes generated increased
even further, and insufficiency of final
disposal sites continues to be a problem.

Recycling was added among the purposes of the
Waste Treatment Act in 1991. Since 1997, measuresagainst industrial wastes have been tightened byrevising the Waste Treatment Act from time to time.
Emission gas restriction and development ofadvanced incineration facilities started in 1997 forreducing dioxins. The “Basic Act on Establishing aSound Material-Cycle Society” was enacted in 2000
for promoting the 3Rs and appropriate waste
disposal. Incineration and recycling are being
promoted in a planned and effective manner, for
reducing the amount of finally disposed wastes.

1990s to2000s

Major future attempts
Measures are to be promoted even further for the 2Rs that are of higher priority than recycling, in order tofurther promote the formation of a material-cycle society. Uses are promoted for recycled resources andbiomass resources as energy sources. Japan intends to contribute toward the global reduction of environmentalloads.

2© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

1.1.1

History of material-cycle society in JapanLet us now take a brief look at the history of material-cycle society in Japan, and the future directions.

(1) Material-cycle society prior to 1900
Ecological andnatural material cycle

As shown in Fig. 1-1, the cycle of artificial materials wasincorporated in ecological and natural material cycles.
Japan was deficient in resources at the time, so people werealways thinking about “using things carefully,” “using things

Artificial
material cycle

repeatedly,” “repairing things that can be repaired,” and“seeking for other ways of use.” For this reason, only a verysmall amount of wastes was generated, and since thesewastes were mostly derived from natural products, they were
decomposed and returned to the ground as time went by.

Fig. 1-1: Material-Cycle Society
Prior to 1900

(2) Destruction, collapse and restoration ofmaterial-cycle society during the 1900s (20th Century)
The artificial material cycle not only protruded out of the ecological and natural material cycles andexpanded, but also destroyed the cycle itself. Affected by the situation, the ecological and natural material
cycles were destroyed, and investments were made and various measures were implemented for restoring
the cycles. (Fig. 1-2)

Destruction of artificial
material cycle
 Mass production
 Mass consumption
 Mass disposal

Collapse of ecologicaland natural material
cyclesRestoration of
ecological andnatural material
cyclesRestoration of artificial material cycle
 Investments for overcoming
environmental issues
 Measures based on the 3Rs

Fig. 1-2: Destruction, Collapse and Restoration of Material-Cycle Society in the 20th Century3© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
The years during the 1900s featured a “society with priority on economic development,” where diverse new
products emerged and material affluence was realized through the development of economy andtechnologies. The idea about things shifted from “using them to the end” to “purchasing new things,” and abelief that “consumption is a virtue” propagated. The contents of wastes also shifted, from those derived
from nature to chemically synthesized (plastic) products. Hygienic treatment, weight reduction and volume
reduction through incineration and landfill disposal were promoted for processing wastes. However, thesemeasures were no longer effective to deal with wastes that continued growing in the amount, and afundamental solution was needed.
In other words, the mass consumption society (mass production, mass consumption, mass disposal) led tothe increase of environmental loads and consumption (wasting) of resources, which may be expressed as“continuously increasing wastes were accepted as is and simply disposed of.”

1.1.2

The future of material-cycle society in Japan(1) Material-cycle society targeted in the 21st Century
As shown in Fig. 1-3, the capital scale ofartificial materials may be reduced byskillfully

using

and

spreadingthe

Coexistingwith the nature

potential capitals in the ecological andnatural systems. If we could live side byside with the nature, materials would start
cycling sustainably as we and the nature
maintain balance like wheels of a car. In

Ecological and natural
material cycles

Artificial material cycle

other words, formation of a material-cycle
society will be promoted through the 3Rs(reduce, reuse and recycle) and proper

Fig. 1-3: Model Material-Cycle Society of the
21st Century

disposal of wastes, drawing on past experiences and reflections. (Reduce (suppression of generation); reuse(using things repeatedly); and recycle (recycle and reuse, recycle into resources))
There is a point we need to keep in mind. That is, we tend to place too much emphasis on recycling amongthe 3Rs. We need to be aware that while iron and aluminum may be recycled repeatedly into resources,
there are numerous materials like plastics that are used only once as a chair, a planter, a flexible container
bag or other products and then disposed of in the process called One Way Recycle. Also, thermal recycling
in which the heat from incineration is collected and used for generating power, etc., is also one way recycle
as the heat would be gone when burnt. We should not use “recycling” as an excuse for consuming moreproducts, because this way resources continue decreasing even if we threw wastes into a to-be-recycled box.
Let me point out again, that the fundamentals of 3Rs is to reduce and reuse.

4© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society(2) Re-arranging the sensitivity of Edo Period to suit today’s society
During the Edo Period when only a few resources and products were available, the people used things
carefully over long years while repairing them. Even human excreta, which is today a target of loathing,were used as precious fertilizers for producing food materials, and was commercialized and marketed as
golden fertilizers (purchased at a fee by farmers). The basics of agriculture at the time was to extract crops
such as rice and vegetables from the soil, and remnant products other than the crops, weeds, their ashes,
fallen leaves, excreta, wasted fishes, oil meals and other fertilizing components were mixed into farmlands.
The soil, which is the capital for agriculture, was never exploited and only the interest was taken out. Thisway, sustainable agriculture was made possible in coexistence with the nature, at a level suited to scienceand technologies at the time.
In the future, our society needs to re-arrange the sensitivity of Edo Period to suit the society of our times,
and aim at building a material recycling society while achieving economic development, in side by sidewith the nature, suppressing consumption of natural resources, reducing the environmental loads andbuilding a carbon-free society.
Economicstagnation
Declining cities

Artificial
systems

Economic growth
Urban development

Economic revitalization
Urban renewal

Environmental
issuesCoexisting with the nature andcarbon-free

EconomyEconomyConfronting eachotherAffecting each otherbeneficially

Ecology
Naturalsystems

EcologyPreserving biological diversity
Restoration of natural environment
Active utilization of ecological and natural capitals

Collapse of ecologicalsystems
Loss of naturalfeatures

Economic system based on natural capitals targetedin the 21st Century

Economic system of the 20th Century

Fig. 1-4: Transition in the Economic System

5© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
1.2

Current situations of wastes and waste issues of developing countries

The amount of wastes generated in developing countries have steadily increased, due to “rapid urbanizationand economic growth” and “flow of population into urban areas.” However, the issue has been dealt with
only with measures that are socially, economically andtechnical inappropriate. This is because the waste disposal
issues that Japan experienced in 100 years from 1900 to2000 have occurred almost at the same time in developing
countries, and these countries have been unable to catch
up with the situation.
Most of the developing countries have enacted laws
related to waste disposal, which stipulate that an
appropriate waste disposal system suited to the country
shall be constructed and operated. However, the reality has
been harsh as exemplified by the failure to properly

Photograph 1-1: Wastes piled up like a
mountain

operate the collection and transport system for wastes,
which resulted in wastes that remain uncollected andpiling up on streets, or being dumped illegally. Since thepeople rely on landfill for waste disposal, construction of
new disposal sites is difficult even though vacant ones get
filled in a short period of time, and wastes are being
carried in at a volume greater than the design volume, andpiled up like a mountain. As a result, a tragic accident has
taken place in some countries where the pile of wastes
collapsed and numerous waste pickers were swept away,

Photograph 1-2: Leachate from landfill
disposal sites is dark-colored because thewastes contain raw garbage

killing and injuring many of them.

Photograph 1-3: Leachate cannot be treated by areservoir alone, and causes water pollution

Photograph 1-4: Leachate treatment facility at alandfill disposal site6

© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
Most of the disposal sites are of an open dumping-type without any environmental measure being provided,
and water seeps out from the ground when a rain falls. If a water shielding sheet was not laid, the water
penetrates into the ground and no one might notice it, but the leachate is dark-colored and contains harmfulorganic pollutants. Therefore, hygienic disposal sites need to be built that are provided with a water
shielding sheet, a leachate collecting system, drainage treatment facilities, etc.
Why does dark-colored and highly polluted leachate seeps out from landfill disposal sites? It is because
50% or more of the wastes carried in is raw garbage. Leachate seeps out from the raw garbage, and affects
the environment around the disposal site adversely, by causing organic pollution of groundwater and rivers,
generation of odor, outbreak of pests, etc. Furthermore, methane gas that is one of the greenhouse gases isalso generated, through metabolism of anaerobic microorganisms. We should all recognize that simple
reliance on landfill disposal could gravely affect not only the regional environment but also the global
environment.
Landfill disposal sites are usually constructed byfarmlands, in mountainous areas and coastal areas
remote from the city center. Since they are among thetroublesome facilities, it is difficult to secure a land lot
for constructing a new one. Even if a landfill disposalsite was full, trucks that are fully loaded with wastes
arrive relentlessly, every day. As a result, wastes arecarried into a landfill disposal sites at a volume greaterthan the design volume, and are piled up like a
mountain.

Photograph 1-5: Waste collection and transport
truck loaded with a huge amount of raw garbage

In the unsanitary environment filled with piles ofwastes, odors and pests, a large number of waste pickers make a living by collecting recyclable wastes.
Some of them are children, who might spend most of their lives at the landfill disposal site.

Photograph 1-6: Landfill disposal site beside a
farmlandPhotograph 1-7: Landfill disposal site in a
mountainous area

7

© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

Photograph 1-8: Waste pickers collect recyclable
wastesPhotograph 1-9: Waste pickers waiting for
unloading of wastes★Situations of waste management in Japan during
the 1940s
Waste management was premature at the time, andthere was no waste collection system operated bymunicipalities. For this reason, private-sector
companies performed the task on behalf of themunicipalities, and many people buried household
wastes in their garden or dumped them in a vacant land
lot or a river. There were also waste pickers who

Photograph 1-10: Children also work as
waste pickers

collected recyclable wastes.
In later years, municipalities started collecting andtransporting wastes regularly, and wastes were disposed of by landfill along the coast. However, wastes
were piled up like a mountain at many disposal sites, and trucks still arrived daily all the time, to carry in ahuge amount of wastes.
Odors, polluted water, methane gas and flies rose from landfill disposal sites, and many residents in theneighborhood sent in claims especially about flies. In response, pesticides were sprayed in the air regularly
from helicopters, and extreme measures such as spraying heavy oil over a landfill disposal site and setting
the site on fire was conducted, under the name “scorched-earth strategy.”
Japan also faced waste issues just as developing countries do today, but has an experience of overcoming
them. The author believes the experiences need to be shared with diverse people.

8© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
1.3

Improvement in waste management and raw garbage recycling

1.3.1

Adverse effects of reliance on landfill disposal of wastes

Everyone is aware that the more affluent our lives become, the greater the amount of garbage that is thrownaway. However, we tend to think “there is nothing we can do about the problem because we want to pursue
economic development and comfort.” Since landfill disposal sites are usually located far away, waste
treatment is no longer a part of our lives and many of us feel that someone must be taking care of it.
However, landfill disposal sites have become full before we notice it and much wastes are being left
without anywhere to go. If we fail to provide an effective measure, wastes might fill up the towns we live
in. In order to avoid such an abnormal situation, each one of us needs to address the issue of waste
management improvement, being aware of
the issue in each action we make in our daily
lives. Diverse technological development
and social system innovation are to berealized, incorporating precedent examples
that suit the situations of the region, forpromoting a material-cycle society.
One of the methods for waste management
improvement that may be mentioned here isrecycling of raw garbage. Raw garbage
accounts for more than 50% of the wastes
carried into landfill disposal sites. If we
could recycle raw garbage, significant
improvement might be realized for waste
management and the environment. Recyclingof raw garbage also extends the service livesof disposal sites, reduces the running costs ofdrainage treatment facilities by reducing
organic pollutants, and suppresses odors,
pests

and

methane

gas

(one

of

the

greenhouse gases). Landfill disposal of raw
garbage has adverse effects not only on the

Raw garbage recycling plantregional environment, but also on the global
environment.

Fig. 1: Raw garbage – from landfill disposal to recycling

9© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

1.3.2

Composting of raw garbage and waste reduction

Typical recycling methods (into resources) for raw garbage includes “converting to a biogas (methane gas),”“converting to livestock feeds,” “composting,” “carbonization,” and “converting into a fuel (RDF).”
Among these, “composting” is a method worthy of attention. This is because of the example in Surabaya, alarge city with the population of more than 3 million in the Republic of Indonesia, where the amount ofwastes was reduced significantly in a short period of time. This was realized through the technicalcooperation by Kitakyushu City of Japan concerning composting. The whole city of Surabaya addressed
the issue of waste management improvement, by optimizing the method to suit the local situations.
During the 1990s, the beautiful urban landscape of the city of Surabaya was appraised highly, both within
Indonesia and abroad. In 2001, however, a pollution issue arose at the city’s only landfill disposal site,which led to a protest movement by the residents and sudden closing of the site. Consequently, a newlandfill disposal site that was under construction went into service as an urgent measure. However, wastes
filled the city and waste management lost its control. Vulnerability of the waste management, which used tosupport the city, was exposed. Then, the entire city of Surabaya attempted reduction of the amount andrecycling of wastes, and the waste reduction project started in 2004 under the collaboration between
Kitakyushu City and Surabaya City for inter-city environmental cooperation, with assistance by a local
NGO. “Takakura Composting Method” was developed in the project, and the Surabaya City government
adopted “Takakura Composting Method” with enthusiasm as the major composting method, in its
administrative measure. The project promoted recycling or raw garbage at once, which used to progress
only very slowly. As a result, the average amount of garbage generated per day was reduced to 1,150 tons
in 2011 from 1,819 tons in 2005 (reduction by 36% from 2005). Not only that, greening was promoted in
all the communities, parks and along the streets using the compost produced, at the same time reducing thewaste amount. Thus, Surabaya City was renewed as a beautiful city full of greeneries.

Photograph 1-11: Surabaya City filled withgarbage

Photograph 1-12: Surabaya City filled withgreeneries

10© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

1.3.3

Example of waste management improvement in Surabaya City

Did the amount of wastes continued declining in Surabaya City after 2011 also? Fig. 1-3 shows the change
in the amount of wastes carried into Benowo landfill disposal site in Surabaya City, also showing thesituations of wastes carried in thereafter. In Surabaya City, all the wastes are being carried into Benowo
landfill disposal site, and the amount carried in equals the amount of wastes generated.
The amount of wastes generated
Amount of wastes carried into Benowo Landfill
Disposal Site
(Amount of wastes generated)

was 1,819 tons in 2005, which
continued declining for six years,
to 1,150 tons in 2011 (reduction by
36% from 2005). To our regret, theamount has increased again since2013.
It is generally believed that “theamount of wastes increases in linewith the expansion of economic
scale,” and the similar trend might
be found with Surabaya City also.

Year

But here, the economic growth has

Fig. 1-2 Change in Amount of Wastes Carried into
Benowo Landfill Disposal Site

not been considered. Taking into
consideration the economic growthalso, Table 1-1 shows the amountof wastes landfilled per unit gross regional product (GRP). From Table 1-1, the landfilled amount(generated amount of waste) per unit GRP may be evaluated as showing a declining trend.

Table 1-1: Economic growth and amount of wastes generated in Surabaya City
2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Landfilled amount(ton/day)

1,819

1,641

1,480

1,259

1,229

1,242

1,150

1,149

1,395

1,400

Population (thousand
persons)

2,740

2,784

2,830

2,903

2,938

2,930

3,024

3,118

3,200

3,121

GRP (billion Rp)-

125,360 142,986 162,833 178,559 205,034 235,034 264,335 302,756 351,509

Landfilled amount perunit GRP (kg/ billion
Rp-day)

-

13.09

10.35

7.73

6.88

6.05

4.89

4.35

4.61

3.98

Reduction rate oflandfilled amount perunit GRP (based on
2006)

-

-

20.93

40.94

47.44

53.78

62.64

66.77

64.78

69.59

11

© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
In order to further evaluate the level of suppression of wastes generated in Surabaya City, a graph ispresented that compares Surabaya City with other cities in Asia and Latin America having a similar
economic scale (population of 2 million or more and GRP per person of 20,000 US dollars or less, in 2008
or 2009). The graph also shows that “the amount of wastes increases in line with the expansion of
economic scale.” Here, the changes shown for Surabaya City are those from 2006 to 2014.
When Surabaya City started attempting reduction of the waste amount around 2006 and 2007, the reduction
rate was about the same with other cities of similar GRP per person. The reduction rate remained low
between 2008 and 2010, without showing any significant difference. The difference with other cities started
showing clearly in 2011, and the difference stabilized thereafter, and the waste amount has remained lessthan half that of other cities since 2013.
In other words, the amount of wastes has decreased slightly in Surabaya City along with the economic
growth, instead of increasing, indicating the difference with other cities clearly.
Attempts relating to composting contributed greatly toward the success in improving waste management in
Surabaya City.

Amount of wastes generated in cities (kg/person-year)

Change with timein Surabaya City,
2006 to 2014

Cities, 2008 or
2009

Correlation withSurabaya City
Correlation withcities with the
GRP greater thanthat of Surabaya
City in 2006

GRP (US dollars/person-year)

Fig. 1-3: GRP and amount of wastes generated per person in cities, and change with time in Surabaya City12

© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society
1.4

1.4.1

Raw garbage composting and the SDGs

What are the SDGs?

SDGs stands for Sustainable Development Goals. The SDGs are recognized to represent diverse problemsof our societies to be addressed by all the people of the world, and target at both developed and developing
countries and regions, with a pledge to leave no one behind on the Earth. The common goal for the world isto realize a sustainable society where the three aspects, namely the economy, society and environment, arewell-balanced. The SDGs comprise 17 goals and 169 targets, to be attained by the year 2030.
Each of the 17 goals comes with a logo mark that conveys the idea at a glance. In the table below, 12 goals
out of the 17 goals that relate at least to the environment are marked with a double circle ( ). Furthermore,
the author has added a star mark ( ) to each of the seven goals that the author believes as relating tocomposting, indicating the target and its outline also.

Logo markThe 17 SDGs (indicating the target and summary for those relating to the environment)
End poverty in all its forms everywhere

End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainableagriculture
Target: To secure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient
agricultural practices.
Outline: Soil improvement is promoted by using compost, contributing toward the
securing of sustainable food production systems and practice of resilient agriculture.
Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages
Target: To reduce the number of cases of deaths and sicknesses caused by environmental
pollution.
Outline: Easily decayed organic substances in raw garbage, etc. are composted, thereby
contributing toward the improvement of hygiene in living environments and suppressingorganic pollutant leachate from landfill disposal sites. Composting, if conducted properly,
does not generate wastewater.
◎ Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning
opportunities for all

13© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls

Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
Target: To improve water quality by diverse means.
Outline: Illegal dumping is reduced and leaching of organic pollutants from landfill
disposal sites is suppressed by composting organic wastes, and appropriate compostingthat prevents generation of drainage helps improve the water quality.
Target: To support and promote participation by the people of regional communities inattempts to improve the water quality and sanitation.
Outline: Raw garbage composting has been conducted by each regional community, andparticipation and collaboration by the residents of the community promotes composting.
Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all

Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive
employment and decent work for all

Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization andfoster innovation
Target: To enhance sustainability by introducing and expanding technologies andindustrial processes that consider for the enhancement of resource-use efficiency,cleanliness and environment.
Outline: The composting technology that may be optimized easily by each community isan environmentally considerate technology and enhances the sustainability of organic
waste recycling in the region.
Reduce inequality within and among countries

14© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable
Target: To manage the atmosphere and wastes, for reducing adverse effects ofurbanization to the environment.
Outline: Composting assumes that wastes are sorted, and therefore promotes waste
management.
Target: To offer accesses to green spaces and public spaces.
Outline: Composting helps promote greening of parks and along streets in cities.
Target: To support mutually beneficial ties among urban areas, urban fringes and rural
areas.
Outline: Production of high-quality compost is possible from sorted raw garbage of
cities, and helps make up for the deficiency of composts in rural areas.
Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
Target: To realize sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources.
Outline: Organic wastes are recycled by composting, which helps especially the
management of phosphorous resources that are exhaustible.
Target: To properly manage chemical substances and wastes for reducing their emissions
into the atmosphere, water and soil.
Outline: Composting assumes that wastes are sorted, and promotes waste management.
Target: To reduce the amount of wastes generated.
Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable
development
Target: To prevent and reduce marine pollution.
Outline: Suppression of organic pollutant leachate from landfill disposal sites andappropriate composting that eliminates drainage help prevent pollution caused by
activities on land.
Protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage
forests, combat desertification, and halt and reserve land degradation and halt
biodiversity loss

15

© 2019 Koji TakakuraChapter 1 Introduction: Waste issues and our society

Promote peaceful and inclusive societies for development, provide access to justice for
all and build effective, accountable and inclusive institutions at all levels

Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the Global Partnership for
Sustainable Development

References: Koji Takakura: Kaigai Gijutsu Kyoryoku wo Tsuujita Takakura-shiki Konposuto no Gijutsu Iten ni
Kansuru Kenkyu (A Study on Technical Transfer for Takakura Composting Method throughOverseas Technological Cooperation), doctoral thesis, Graduate School of Life Science andSystems Engineering, Kyushu Institute of Technology, May 2016
 Sound Material-Cycle Society Promotion Office, Planning Division, Waste and Recycle Measures
Bureau, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of the Environment: Nihon no Haikibutsu Shori no Rekishi
to Genjou (History and Current Situations of Waste Management in Japan), 2014
 Ministry of the Environment: Subete no Kigyo ga Jizokuteki ni Hatten Suru Tameni – Jizoku Kano
na Kaihatsu Mokuhyo (SDGs) Katsuyo Gaido (For Sustainable Development of All Businesses –Guidance for Utilizing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)), Volume for referencematerials, 201816

© 2019 Koji Takakura