Sorting Your Trash in Japan

Disposing of trash in Japan can be more complicated than it is in your home country. While it may take a few more minutes on your part to sort your trash correctly, it is part of being a good resident. You will also be helping out your local trash workers!

When do I put out my trash?

Trash must be put out on the appropriate day as determined by your municipality. Different types of trash will have different collection dates. You may see a notice pinned outside your residence with these dates. If you do not, ask your contracting organization to find this information for you (or check your local government website, which should have this information up as well). Your neighbors would also know!

How do I put out my trash?

Most localities will have you place your trash inside some kind of shed or large metal container. Many places also have residents place their trash on the street, but underneath a large piece of thick plastic netting. This is to prevent crows from getting into the trash.

You must be careful to use the correct garbage bag. Many areas of Japan have special “designated garbage bags” that must be used for all, or most, of your trash. They are typically sold in regular grocery and hardware stores.

How do I sort my trash?

This is an English-language PDF published by Minato ward in Tokyo that lays out all the different categories of trash and proper procedures for sorting and disposal. The place where you live will likely have similar trash categories and similar rules for sorting. Here are the most common trash categories:

Burnable Trash（燃えるゴミ・moeru gomi）

This includes paper, kitchen scraps…the majority of your garbage, really.

Japan burns much of its trash, so it is important to separate items such as broken plates or aluminum cans from this category.

Burnable trash is usually collected twice a week.

Non-Burnable Trash（燃えないゴミ・moenai gomi）

This includes ceramics and metals.

Usually, this trash is picked up once a week. If you have something large you want to throw away, like furniture or a bicycle, you will have to call city hall and ask for a pick-up for a fee.

If you get a new appliance, such as a refrigerator, the deliverers will often carry the old one away.

Recycling（しげんごみ・shigen gomi）

Paper recyclables, plastic recyclables, aluminum cans, and cardboard must be kept in separate bags/bundles.

Make sure that all your recyclables are clean, with no leftover food waste or liquid remaining.

With PET (plastic) bottles, you usually must take the plastic wrapping and bottle cap off the bottle. You will likely have a special pickup day just for plastic bottles and aluminum cans.

For cardboard, you must flatten the cardboard and tie it into bundles.

Collection times are more erratic, and you may only have recyclable pickups once or twice a month. Check with your CO, neighbors, and city hall for collection times.

You will see some specialized trash cans being sold at stores in Japan that make it easier for you to keep track of your different types of trash. We recommend using one of these!

Oversized Items（粗大ゴミ・sodai gomi）

What about large items?

If you have something large you want to throw away, like furniture or a bicycle, you will have to call city hall and ask for a pick-up. This will typically come with a fee between 1,000 and 2,000 yen. You will usually have to describe the item to the city hall official on the phone so if you do not speak Japanese, you should get your CO or a friend to help you organize this. For information on what number to call, check your local government website.