When foreign residents move to Japan, they often find the garbage disposal system difficult to understand. In other countries, waste is usually divided into three main types: recyclable, domestic, and vegetation. But in Japan, rubbish is split into even smaller subcategories, such as newspapers, periodicals, and plastic, and must be discarded on specific days. Depending on the area, you may be required to use special bags for your trash. To make sure you are following the correct disposal rules, you should consult a pamphlet from your local municipality, which are often available in English and Chinese, or ask someone living in the same area. Knowing the rules of garbage disposal in your neighborhood is essential.
While particular garbage separation rules are implemented by each municipality, garbage is divided into four main categories in Japan: burnable, non-burnable, recyclable, and oversized.
| Burnable Garbage | Kitchen waste, paper scraps, clothing, etc. |
|---|---|
| Non-Burnable Garbage | Metal, glass, ceramics and pottery, etc. |
| Recyclable Garbage | Plastic bottles, container jars, cans, newspapers, etc. |
| Oversized Garbage | Large furniture, etc. |
Most household garbage, including kitchen waste and paper scraps, is classified as burnable garbage.
Non-burnable garbage refers to non-recyclable waste, like metal and glass items. A frying pan or glass cup would fall into this category.
Plastic bottles, container jars, and cans are classified as recyclable garbage.
Lastly, oversized garbage includes large furniture and home appliances. According to the Home Appliance Recycling Law, air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators, and washing machines are not collected in local municipalities.
Residents must pay a recycling fee of between 1,000 and 6,000 yen to dispose of their oversized garbage. You can have it collected by shop staff where the item was purchased, or take the item to a designated pick-up location yourself.
Recyclable garbage is further divided into four subcategories. Let's take a look at how recyclable garbage is separated before disposal.
| Bottles | Glass beverage bottles, glass bottles that contained food, cosmetics, or medicine |
|---|---|
| Cans | Beverage cans and food tins (aluminum and steel) |
| Plastic Bottles | Plastic beverage bottles, alcohol (sake), mirin, and soy sauce plastic bottles |
| Aerosol Spray Cans | Spray cans, gas cartridges, and batteries |