2020 TOP 100 GOOD
PRACTICE STORY
Title of the Story: Hayama Beach Zero-Trash Navigation(Eco-Stations) Project
Destination Name: (include any state, province or region)
Miura Peninsula, Kanagawa Prefecture
Country: Japan

Submitter name: Masaru Ito
Email address: sansin@hayama.kanagawa.jp
Position: Head of the Industrial Promotion Division, Hayama Town
Nomination Category: (Please check the boxes that indicate the focus of yourstory)☐ Culture & Communities☐ Environment & Climate☐ Nature & Ecotourism☐ Islands & Seaside☐ Immediate responses in dealing with the COVID -19☐ Post COVID -19 recovery☒ One of the 17 SDGs* (if yes, which one) GOAL 12: Responsible Consumption andProduction*The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals, were adopted by all United Nations Member Statesin 2015 as a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by
2030. The 17 SDGs are integrated—that is, they recognize that action in one area will affect outcomes in others, and thatdevelopment must balance social, economic and environmental sustainability. What are the Sustainable Development Goals?
https://www.undp.org/content/undp/en/home/sustainable-development-goals.html
For further information on Tourism for SDGs: http://tourism4sdgs.org/Find detailed instructions for submitting good practices here

DESCRIBE YOUR GOOD PRACTICE STORY
Address each aspect of your good practice story in the different sections being specific including relevant quantitativeand qualitative information.

Issues faced
In Hayama town, the amount of trash thrown into the trash cans at the beach was enormous, andit was impossible to separate them. The town thus decided to remove the cans completely andstarted a campaign for beach users to take the trash home. Although the total amount of the waste
decreased, illegal dumping of trash into the residential areas behind the beach increased,
especially during the beach was opened.

Methods, steps and tools applied
Simply installing trash cans would revert to the previous situation where trash could not becontrolled. Therefore, trash collection stations, "Eco-Stations," with management staff, wereestablished so that trash can be collected and sorted in a controlled manner. Beach users areencouraged to separate and dispose of trash by themselves, not relying on the beachmanager, in order to improve their awareness of beach etiquette.
Additionally, recruiting volunteers at the Eco-Stations also has the effect of eco-tourism byencouraging them to come to the beaches.

Key success factors
Outsourcing the project management to a non-profit organization with a proven track record intrash collection programs at other events enabled it to operate smoothly in the field. Having
volunteers, who are also beach users, rather than government officials or businesses, allows
a smooth communication with beach users, helping to reduce problems during trashcollection.

Lessons learned

There was always an assumption that the disposal of trash was a free service provided by thetourist destinations. Initially, a fee was charged for all types of waste, and many visitors avoidedusing the Eco-Stations. To promote the use of Eco-Stations, it was decided to abolish the fee forrecyclable waste, including glass or plastic bottles, and cans, while seeking to raise awarenessabout the cost related to waste disposal. This lead to improve the users’ awareness and usage,
and a thorough sorting of the waste.
Measures such as the installation of permanent trash cans and collection of illegal dumping canbe taken, but they do not lead to long-term waste reduction. It is essential to continue striving tochange the attitudes of beach users.

Results, achievements and recognitions
In 2019, 1,150 kg of recyclable waste (plastic bottles, cans, and glass bottles) were collected at
the Eco-Stations and transported to the recycling plant. There was an overall increase in theamount of recyclable waste collected comparing with that of 2016. In addition, volunteers walked
along the beach with signs on the trash collection rules and called for collaboration, which has
raised awareness among beach users.
A total of 130 volunteers participated in Hayama Town during the 15-day implementation period in
2019. Of these, about 93% were volunteers aged between 13 and 22 years old, with young
people taking the lead in the Eco-Stations.

Additional references
Kamakura / Zushi / Hayama Beach “Zero Trash Navigation 2019” activity report, Hayama edition