Environmental Education at Waste Incineration Facilities in Japan: Educational Activities Continued Even during the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper discusses the environmental education conducted at waste treatment facilities, which is a significant feature of waste management in Japan. This kind of research has never been done before. In this study, responses were obtained from 82.2% (755/919) of incineration facilities in Japan. According to the survey, 96% of incineration facilities accept visitors. During normal times before the COVID-19 pandemic, they were visited by 8.71 million people annually. Among them, 1.08 million people participated in field trips and lectures to learn about the waste treatment system, with 67% being fourth-grade elementary school students visiting as part of their classes. The practice of elementary school students learning about waste treatment began with the national curriculum guidelines enacted in 1971 and has continued for about half a century. Incineration facilities are equipped to accommodate elementary school students. In 2020, Japan was also hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, even in such circumstances, waste incineration facilities and elementary schools endeavored to continue the field trips for elementary school students. General visitors decreased by 92% from the previous year, but visits as part of elementary school classes only decreased by 77%. The survey results indicate that incineration facilities made efforts to continue the tours for elementary school students by adjusting the timing, implementing infection control measures, and limiting locations. It became clear that many waste management professionals believe that field trips to waste treatment facilities for elementary school students should continue even during the COVID-19 pandemic.