When you first start living in Japan, one of the initial challenges you might encounter is how to handle garbage disposal. Even for Japanese residents, fully grasping the rules can be a bit perplexing, mainly due to the fact that each local government has its own set of regulations. This variation arises from differences in the incineration facilities operated by each local government, which dictate what can be burned and what cannot. To get into the details, it’s advisable to visit your local government’s website. In this article, we will walk you through the fundamental rules. Additionally, we’ll introduce a helpful app for sorting your garbage, which will be discussed towards the end of the article.
Table of Contents
Quick overview of 4 general categories to sort garbage
The way how garbage is sorted is highly depends on your local government here is the most common way.
| Keywords | Definition | Kanji | Examples |
|---|---|---|---|
|
KANEN-GOMI |
Burnable Trash |
可燃ごみ |
kitchen waste, fabric, paper, clothing etc. |
|
FUNEN-GOMI |
Non-Burnable Trash |
不燃ごみ |
broken plates, flower pots, metal products, light bulbs, flying pans etc. |
|
SHIGEN-GOMI |
Recyclable Trash |
資源ごみ |
plastic buttles, newspapers, cardboard, empty cans, empty bottles etc. |
|
SODAI-GOMI |
Oversized Garbage |
粗大ごみ |
furniture and appliances etc |
What is "可燃ゴミ", Burnable Trash?
This category mainly includes kitchen waste, fabrics, paper, and clothing. Concerning paper waste, specific items such as newspapers, wrapping paper, flyers, and cardboard are collected for recycling purposes. However, when it comes to bedding, blankets, and curtains, regulations can vary. Some local governments classify them as oversized trash, while others categorize them as burnable trash. Therefore, it’s essential to verify the specific guidelines applicable in your region before disposing of these items.
Furthermore, in areas with highly efficient incineration facilities, some municipalities include plastics as part of the burnable waste category.
What is "不燃ゴミ", Non Burnable Trash?
This category includes ceramics like broken plates, flower pots, metal items, light bulbs, LED light bulbs, small household appliances, frying pans, knives, and more. Items that fall below the oversized trash criteria and are non-burnable should be disposed of as non-burnable trash.
It’s crucial to exercise caution when discarding sharp items such as broken plates, light bulbs, and knives. Wrap them in paper and place them in bags which is suggested by your local municipality, clearly labeling them as hazardous to prevent injuries to garbage collectors. You can write “危険” (Kanji) or “キケン” (Katakana) to indicate danger for the garbage collectors’ awareness.
What is "資源ゴミ", Recyclable Trash?
This category encompasses plastics like plastic bottles (marked with the plastic symbol shown below), newspapers, cardboard, empty cans, empty bottles, convenience store bento trays, supermarket meat trays, milk cartons, and more.
When disposing of these items, it’s important to rinse off any dirt with water. For plastic bottles, it’s recommended to crush them to reduce their size. Some local governments may require you to sort empty bottles by color, such as black, brown, and green. Additionally, you might be asked to remove caps and labels from plastic bottles and collect them separately.
Certain supermarkets provide collection boxes for recyclable items like food trays, plastic bottles, and milk cartons. The materials collected through these recycling initiatives are often used as raw materials for producing recycled products. So, when you shop, consider bringing along your cleaned and sorted recyclables to these stores. It not only offers convenience but also allows you to contribute to recycling efforts while you shop.
What is "粗大ゴミ", Oversized Trash?
Oversized trash typically includes items like furniture and appliances, but things such as computers, air conditioners, refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, dryers, and televisions are generally not categorized as oversized trash. To dispose of oversized items, you’ll need to take the following steps:
Contact Your Local Government: Reach out to your local government in advance, either by phone or online, to make a reservation.
Ticket Purchase Locations: Purchase an oversized trash disposal ticket. This ticket is known as “粗大ゴミ処理券” (SODAI-GOMI SHORI KEN), as shown below.The availability of these tickets may vary depending on your local government, but many areas offer them at convenience stores and supermarkets.
Reserve and Prepare: On the designated collection day you’ve reserved, write your reservation number and name on the disposal ticket. Then, place the oversized item(s) at the specified location. For most residences, this will be in front of your house. In the case of apartments, it’s usually the designated bulky waste collection area. Be sure to do this before the designated collection time.
Source: Setagaya City
Useful App to Handle Garbage Disposal in Japan
Understanding which category your trash belongs to can indeed be quite complex. Fortunately, there’s a helpful app that can make this process much easier.
The threeR app (さんあ〜る), by Delight System, Inc., allows you to find collection days in your local area and shows you the disposal methods for each type of trash. Please find the video below for further details.
Download on iPhone
Download on Android
Key Take Away
Garbage disposal rules in Japan can be complex and vary by locality.
Understanding your local regulations is crucial, as different municipalities have different waste collection and sorting guidelines.
Basic categories for sorting garbage include burnable, non-burnable, recyclable, and oversized trash.
Specific items like newspapers, cardboard, plastic bottles, and more may have unique disposal requirements.
For oversized trash, you’ll need to contact your local government in advance, purchase a disposal ticket, and follow the collection instructions.
There are useful apps available to help you with waste sorting and collection in Japan.
The information of this article is based on following sources.
Reference: Shinjuku City, Information on everyday living for foreign residents , September 2023, http://www.foreign.city.shinjuku.lg.jp/en/
Reference: Shibuya City, Shibuya City Website , September 2023, https://www.city.shibuya.tokyo.jp/
Reference: Setagaya City, Setagaya City Website , September 2023, https://www.city.setagaya.lg.jp/
