Recycling experiment at its most useful

Stylish new sports complex in Saga, Japan, almost completely powered from burnable garbage.

Some years ago, largely due to putting economic development before good housekeeping, Japan probably had a poor reputation when it came to the environment. And it was deserved, what with Minimata, and the condition of air and water around large cities like Tokyo. But in recent times, that reputation has been turned around. Japan played a strong leadership role at the Kyoto conference, it is at the forefront of hybrid car development, and has instigated programs that have reduced its domestic pollution considerably. And it has become a significant player in recycling technology.

At a local level, here in Saga, we have the benefit of a concerted recycling effort. Not only do we have a sophisticated separation and recycling program, but what burnable waste we do have to get rid of has been turned into a very useful energy source. The program is experimental, but so far is working well, and will serve as a model for many other municipalities across Japan, and overseas.

Saga residents, after separating their household waste into various categories, place their burnable refuse into specially made large, thin plastic bags, which are collected twice a week in small compressor trucks, This garbage is then taken to an extremely high tech combustion facility, where it is high temperature burnt. The air and soil around the plant, and the water in a specially created lake next to the plant, are constantly monitored to check that low levels of dioxin, and many other destructive pollutants, are maintained. The emissions from the plant's chimney are at levels considered as low as it's possible to achieve.
The incinerator building on the left, viewed across a small wildlife refuge, clean water for which is provided by the complex,  and on the right, the rear roofline of the swimming pool and gym complex.

The best part for Saga residents, especially those with a sporting bent, is what happens to the energy created by burning all that waste material. It is used to drive a beautifully designed and constructed swimming pool, gymnasium and sporting complex, which is available to all residents of Saga at very low cost. No membership fees, just a low hourly rate for the gym and swimming pool facility, and very low hire fees for the floodlit baseball field.
Solar and wind powered general grounds lighting, and a view of the complex from the floodlit dual baseball ground. You can see how the complex is largely below ground level, and in the background  is the chimney stack of the incinerator. You can see that there is good visual seperation between the two structures.

There is a 25 meter indoor heated pool, several wading pools for children, A very well equipped gymnasium, a cafe, and next to the pool complex is a double diamond floodlit baseball stadium. Around and through the complex are two jogging pathways, and there are several artificial hills to test the fittest of weekend athletes. The cafe serves a healthy lunch and dinner, and various snacks, coffee, etc. There are mothers feeding rooms, child minding facilities, and several seminar rooms.  And almost all of the energy required to run the whole complex comes from the adjacent incinerator. I say almost all, because the outside lighting for the carparks is run by a combination of solar and wind power. The lamps are fitted with solar cells on the top of the pole, and a set of fan blades act as wind generators. Very inventive, and very stylish.
A view of the small cafe that provides healthy meals, and a good shot of the outdoor lighting. The indoor 25 meter pool is heated from the incinerator.

The pool water is heated directly from the incinerators, and pumped underground to the complex. Heat created by the burning process also provides room heating inside the building in the winter. There are also heat-driven generators to provide electricity to the sports complex.

The architect designed sports complex looks very nice, and works very efficiently, both as a gym, and as an energy saving construction. The incinerator complex is not so nice looking (it is after all an incinerator), but does not overshadow the sports buildings, as they are about 150 meters apart, and separated by a sealed arterial road. So even the view of the sports complex is an appealing one. The buildings are partly buried underground, which reduces its size to the eye, and also provides some insulation for more energy saving. The incinerator complex sits beside a small lake, fed from cleaned and treated waste water from the complex. This is well monitored for its health, and provides a wildlife refuge for a large variety of wetland birds, which can be viewed from several hides erected along the timbered shores. The incinerator complex also has a centre for visitors, to explain the whole structure and it's processes, and visitors are most welcome. There are also organized tours for visitors, and local schoolchildren.
Part of the jogging track runs through the inside of the facility, seperating the admin area and cafe from the sports facilites. The floodlit basebal ground can be seen in the background. A course marker explaining the route for the two jogging pathways.

I know it is only one facility in one municipality (although other cities in Japan are experimenting in similar ways), but it is a step in the right direction, and will hopefully provide a good model for the future of recycling, and energy conservation.

RK

Comments

[Willie]

Hi,

I was wondering if you knew if there was a facility like this in Tokyo? I am desperate to start swimming now that Spring is upon us, but cannot find anywhere with child minding!

Thanks,
Willie

[Ray Kinnane]

Thanks for visiting, Willie. I don't know the Tokyo area very well, as I live a long way from there, and only know it as a tourist - although I love it, and go there as often as possible.

I would imagine there would be a pool facility with child minding, as there is just about everything else. I have your email address, so I will try and finsd out for you.

Meantine, anyone else out there who knows of one?

Ray Kinnane