Takayuki Shimaoka

Department of Civil Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Fukuoka University
(8-19-1, Nanakuma, Jonan-ku, Fukuoka, 814-80 Japan)

Abstract

The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster has caused significant damage to structures and generated approximately 18.5 million tons of earthquake waste. This earthquake was the first major one in the Hanshin District. For this reason, much effort was required for the collection, cleanup, and disposal of debris, and the enormous amount of debris generated by pulling down structures such as residences and buildings was seen in a new light. In order to let this be a lesson, an investigation on solid waste from natural disasters has been started by the younger membere of the Japan Society of Waste Management Experts. This paper reports on the situation of solid waste management for earthquake waste from the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster in the stage of initial revival and other huge natural disasters which have occurred in recent years.

Key words: natural disaster, the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Disaster, earthquake waste, debris, disposal measures