Abstract
Metropolitan regions, which are typically planned without considering aspects related to sustainability, tend to depend on neighboring regions for their waste treatment, particularly for the disposal of solid waste in landfills. The repercussion effects of consumption in metropolitan regions may bring about economic benefits. However, quantitative assessments of the interregional relationships between the metropolitan areas and the other regions are necessary in order to clarify whether the undesirable environmental loads incurred by the surrounding regions are outweighed by economic benefits. In this study, we clarified the repercussion effects of consumption by metropolitan residents on production and environmental loads by examining the utilization of landfill sites in these other regions using interregional waste input–output (IRWIO) analysis. Specifically, we investigated the effects of consumption activities in Tokyo, and compiled an IRWIO table for Tokyo in the year 2000. Using this table, we then estimated the effects of landfill utilization in Tokyo and other regions, as well as the associated induced economic and environmental impacts. The results showed that consumption in Tokyo induced limited economic benefits and large-scale utilization of landfills in other regions. Although consumption by Tokyo residents induced an increase in the recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW), thus reducing the amount of waste to be treated in other regions, the total amount of induced landfill volume was 1.7 million cubic meter, which is 2.4 times greater than that of Tokyo. The results quantitatively clarified the repercussion effects associated with consumption by residents in metropolitan areas and illustrated the importance of sustainable waste management to stakeholders, particularly those in metropolitan regions.
Highlights
As the consumption activities in metropolitan regions are typically larger than those of rural regions, so too is consumer responsibility of metropolitan regions larger than that in rural regions
We quantitatively investigated the direct and indirect economic and environmental effects of consumption induced by Tokyo residents on other regions in Japan using the interregional waste input–output (WIO) (IRWIO) approach
We examine the effect of consumption in Tokyo on waste generation, economic activity and greenhouse gas emissions in both Tokyo and in the other regions, within the context of the differences in the economic and waste treatment activities in Tokyo and in the other regions
Summary
As the consumption activities in metropolitan regions are typically larger than those of rural regions, so too is consumer responsibility of metropolitan regions larger than that in rural regions. Tsukui et al Economic Structures (2015) 4:18 et al 2011; Feng et al 2012; Guan and Hubacek 2007; Lenzen 2009; López-Morales and Duchin 2011), land consumption (Bicknell et al 1998; Wilting and Vringer 2009), and loss of biodiversity (Lenzen et al 2012). Most of these studies examined these aspects at a global level between countries, the consumer responsibility associated with these consumption activities at a local level, such as consumption by the cities and country regions concerned, has received comparatively little attention (Minx et al 2009). Many cities in developed countries, such as Stockholm and Adelaide, are attempting to become “zero waste” cities (Zaman and Lehmann 2011), cities such as Tokyo are confronted with serious problems related to sharing responsibilities between local regions.
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