How to Separate Garbage in Japan

Introduction

If you’re living in or thinking about moving to Japan, there’s one thing you absolutely need to get right– your garbage. Garbage disposal can be quite a confusing system for anyone new to the country, but it is a crucial routine that everyone must adapt to when living here.

Failure to adhere to the rules might lead to consequences like your trash not getting picked up, receiving a warning note, getting fined, or igniting disputes with the neighbors. It may seem daunting at first, but once you get used to it, you’ll find that the system is actually quite organized — and it helps keep the community clean, respectful, and harmonious.

Main Garbage Categories and How to Properly Dispose of Them

First we need to know the different categories of waste and how to properly sort and prepare them for collection. This is important as disposing of your garbage inappropriately will lead to your garbage not getting collected, fines, and in worst cases, accidents for waste collection workers.

• Burnable waste, or 可燃ごみ / 燃えるごみ in Japanese, includes kitchen scraps, food waste, paper products, and household wastes that can fit into the designated trash bags. 

When preparing for collection, make sure to drain moisture and wrap food scraps in paper.　

Cooking oil is typically disposed of by either absorbing it with paper or solidifying it with commercial solidifying agents like “katameru tempuru”. You can wrap the solidified oil in paper to prevent leakage and odors before placing it into the burnables bag.

• Plastic waste, or プラごみ、 includes plastic packaging like trays, plastic wrap, plastic containers, and the like with the “pura プラ” symbol. These are collected separately from burnable waste in most cities. 

Make sure to rinse plastic containers to remove food/oil residue. Dirty plastic can contaminate recycling batches, so unwashed items might be treated as burnable waste instead.

• Non-burnable waste, or 不燃ごみ in Japanese, includes metal and glass items, pottery and porcelain, leather and rubber goods, kitchen utensils, small appliances, and the like.

These unburnable garbage items must fit into the designated bags. Make sure to remove dangerous parts like blades, and wrap broken glass in newspaper with a warning label.

• Recyclables, or 資源ごみ in Japanese, include PET bottles, glass bottles, aluminum cans, steel cans, paper and cardboard. 

Cans and PET bottles must be rinsed, and caps/labels must be removed and separated. Paper wastes like newspapers, magazines, and cardboard must be tied with string in bundles.

• Oversized garbage or 粗大ごみ in Japanese, refer to large furniture and home appliances. To dispose of these types of waste, you must call the city office or the ward’s Oversized Garbage Reception Center, or the 粗大ゴミ受付センター to have it taken away. After booking, you’ll receive a pickup date, fee information, and instructions on how to label your item. The fees are usually paid through purchasing stickers called 粗大ゴミ処理券 and are available at convenience stores, supermarkets, or the city hall. Make sure the sticker is firmly placed and visible on the item. 

But be careful as there is a limit to the waste size according to each city. Some appliances such as washing machines, refrigerators, tvs, and airconditioners are exempt from this and will not be accepted. To dispose of these types of appliances, they will need to be taken back to where it was sold, or you can have a recycling center pick it up to have it be resold.

• Hazardous waste or 有害ごみ in Japanese include dry cell batteries, portable chargers, e-cigarettes, lighters, mercury thermometers, fluorescent bulbs and alike. These must be separated from regular trash and labeled correctly. 

Each type of hazardous waste must be handled accordingly. For example, you must use up all the contents of spray cans and gas cartridges, and fluorescent bulbs must be wrapped in paper or bubble wrap to prevent breakage. For batteries, especially button or lithium-ion types) to avoid fire hazards.

Several cities also have guides and pamphlets available on their websites on how to separate and dispose of garbage in Japan. They may also have these available in multiple languages so make sure to check out your city or ward’s website and look under the living or waste management section. Physical copies are also available at ward offices or recyclables centers in several languages.

Designated Garbage Bag System

Many Japanese municipalities require residents to use official, designated garbage bags to dispose of household waste. These bags are sold at convenience stores, supermarkets, or local government offices within the city or ward. 

Different colors or sizes of bags are used for different types of waste and these bags often have the municipality’s logo or name printed on them. Some cities require writing your name or address on the bag. Only garbage placed in official bags will be collected by the city’s waste services so it’s important to research your local area and its garbage collection rules.

The purpose of this designated bag system is to ensure proper waste sorting and prevent illegal dumping, effectively contributing to efficient waste management. It also encourages residents to reduce waste as you need to pay for these bags. 

As of 2022, 1403 out of 1718 municipalities nationwide have implemented this system which accounts for 82.6%. This percentage is likely to increase further in the future as more municipalities are deciding to implement this in their area as well.

When and Where to Dispose Your Garbage

Now that we know the types of waste and how to properly sort them, we can learn about when and where to dispose of them. The rules vary by city so it’s important to gather information relevant to the area you’re living in.

Here in Japan, we also have what we call a Garbage Collection Calendar, or a ごみ収集カレンダー. You usually get a printed copy when moving in, and it’s also available online via your city/town hall’s website. This calendar tells you what type of garbage is collected on which day, where and when to take it out, and other special instructions for hazardous or large waste disposal. 

Garbage is not collected directly from your door in most areas. Instead, there are designated collection points. These are usually located near your apartment or house, and are shared by residents in the same building or block. You might see net covers or net boxes which are set in place to prevent crows from picking at your garbage. In larger apartments or condominiums, garbage rooms or ゴミ置き場 are located inside the building and are only accessible to its residents. 

Garbage collection typically happens in the morning, but the exact time can vary depending on your area. In most cities, garbage trucks begin their rounds around 8:00 AM, so put your garbage out before then. Be aware that some areas might start earlierーas early as 6:30 or 7:00 AMーespecially in busy urban neighborhoods, so it’s best to check your local garbage calendar for the correct time, and type of garbage to be collected on that day.

Common Mistakes Foreigners Often Make 

• Using the wrong type or color of garbage bag
• Not rinsing items thoroughly
• Throwing out garbage on the wrong day
• Incorrect sorting of waste
• Not labeling oversized garbage correctly
• Ignoring local rules about hazardous wastes
• Leaving garbage outside designated collection points

Doing the above can result in your trash not getting picked up which can lead to pile-ups and fines.  

Conclusion

Properly managing your garbage in Japan might seem complicated at first, but following the rules is essential for keeping your community clean and harmonious. By understanding the correct sorting methods, using the right bags, and paying attention to collection schedules, you can avoid common mistakes and contribute positively to your neighborhood. Remember, when in doubt, always check your local municipality’s guidelines — they’re there to help!