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2019-12-19

A guidebook for local governments and CBOs to support elderly people to take out the trash

National Institute for Environmental Studies

For countries facing aging society, including Japan and several others, a challenge for waste management is to help elderly people who find it difficult to take out the trash. This scientific research based guidebook is the first of its kind in the world and provides guidance for local governments and community-based organizations (CBOs) towards designing and operating effective program to support the elderly taking out their trash.

One of the issues related to waste management in aging society is helping elderly people who find it difficult to take out the trash. In the face of the aging of society and increasing numbers of nuclear (one- and two-generation) family households, more and more elderly people are in need of support.
In Japan, many local governments have introduced a program to support elderly people taking out their trash. Through our research, we have come to realize that helping the elderly to dispose of waste will not only ensure that waste is reliably collected from their households, but also improve their quality of life, help prevent isolation, foster trust in waste management businesses, and help promote stronger community ties.
This scientific research based guidebook is an English edited version of our Japanese guidebook to help local governments and community based organizations (CBOs) design and operate programs to support the elderly taking out their trash. Based on examples and data collected through reserch, it contains explanation on the background of this issue, methods to support the elderly, and process to design a program to provide support.

Release URL

http://www-cycle.nies.go.jp/eng/report/aging2_en.html

Contacts

Contact Person：Ryo Tajima
Contact Phone：＋81-029-850-2842
Contact E-mail：tajima.ryo(please append ‘@nies.go.jp’ to complete the email address)

Percentage of the local governments which provide programs to help elderly people take out the trash
Percentage of the local governments which provide programs to help elderly people take out the trash
In Japan, as of 2015, 23% of local governments offered programs supporting collection of ordinary waste, recyclable materials, and bulky waste. Such programs were in effect in roughly 80% of ordinance-designated major cities, but in less than 10% of towns and villages.
Issues related to taking out the waste by the elderly
Issues related to taking out the waste by the elderly
The core issue related to taking out the trash by the elderly is that increasing numbers of elderly people find it difficult to take out the trash but are unable to receive the support they need. The inability to take out the trash by elderly people can lead to three different consequences: a) storing the trash in the house, b) taking out the trash improperly, and c) continuing to take out the trash even though it is too difficult.
Concepts in programs of support for taking out the trash
Concepts in programs of support for taking out the trash
The basic tasks involved in support programs are collecting and transporting wastes from elderly people's homes, the details of the system depend on who transports the wastes and where they go. For example, activities that enlist neighborhood residents to help the elderly take out the trash can serve as an impetus to community building.

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