Public Information and Environmental Education/Study for Planning based on Public Participation

Abstract
The mainstream social structures and living styles of today need to undergo modification in order to solve waste problems. With this in mind, the government has enacted the Basic Act for the Establishment of a Recycle-based Society, and it has enhanced state measures toward a sustainable society. The largest administrative divisions in Japan have also drawn up waste management strategies beyond the framework of cities and townships only. However, these advances cannot be deemed significant without a simultaneous change in the consciousness and actions of each citizen where waste management is concerned.
Planning that allows citizens to participate will reflect public opinion and result in the linking of consciousness and action by citizens. If, however, a proper set up for public access to information on waste management is not established citizens could misunderstand the system, taking the plan in unpredictable directions. Therefore, it is necessary to create strategies that incorporate a system of public environmental education and study in order to develop and foster citizens who are able to think, judge and act for themselves. Moreover, we need to raise more local leaders who can act as role models in making this change in social structures and living patterns. This paper is a report on the outcome of research conducted over a three-year span of time by a group of citizens for the Waste Management Planning Study Committee.

Key words: waste management, public participation, information access, recycle-based society, environmental education and environmental leadership