How household waste sorting works

Preview

Waste sorting in Japan is decided by each municipality, so the rules can change when you move one city over. Most places divide waste broadly into burnable, non-burnable, recyclable, and oversized, but the treatment of plastic packaging and paper varies considerably between them. When you move in, get the collection calendar from your municipal office or its website. Many municipalities publish it in several languages. The calendar gives the collection day for each category and the time by which bags must be at your local collection point. Putting waste out the night before invites crows and cats, so the norm is to put it out on the morning of collection. Many municipalities require designated bags, sold at supermarkets and convenience stores. Oversized items usually need to be booked in advance and carry a fee. Televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, and air conditioners fall under home appliance recycling law and cannot be put out as ordinary waste. If an item is genuinely unclear, ask your municipal office rather than guessing. Incorrectly sorted bags are commonly left behind at the collection point rather than taken.