Garbage disposal is difficult even for Japanese.

After we have moved in and set up our lifelines, the first thing we need to do is find out how to take out the garbage. In Japan, the way of separating and disposing of garbage is very complicated and differs from region to region.

Today I'd like to show you the pattern for Kyoto City.

Buy garbage bags

In Kyoto City, there is a fee to dispose of garbage. We buy these garbage bags at convenience stores and supermarkets.

This is for burnable trash.

This is for recyclable waste

Garbage Disposal Etiquette is for Peace

Garbage that is not in these bags, or that contains obviously different items, or that is put out on a day other than the designated day, will not be collected.

In addition, the garbage left uncollected is often vandalized by crows and looks bad, which can cause problems in the neighborhood, so it is very worrisome.😭

If the garbage collection point has a box with a lid, it is still good, but there are many collection points where only bags are placed or nets are put over the bags to avoid crows and cats.

If we don't put the nets in place, the animals will tear up the garbage bags before the garbage truck arrives.

燃えるゴミ(もえるごみ)burnable trash？

Kyoto City uses yellow bags for burnable garbage.

What do you think is burnable garbage? Paper and food scraps seem to be burnable.

🔸Toys, buckets

🔸CD and video cases

🔸Ballpoint pens, toothbrushes

🔸Glass

These should also be placed in a burnable garbage bag. It's getting confusing already, isn't it? It is quite difficult to sort out, and if given a test, I think some people would not be able to pass it.😅

This classification differs from region to region.😣

I found a PDF in English, so I'll post the link. Resource waste is also difficult, but if you are interested, you can see it here.

京都市公式ホームページより
http://kyoto-kogomi.net/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/handbooke.pdf

More difficult patterns

In the countryside where my parents live, it's even more difficult. There are eight types of garbage to sort. It is free of charge, but the bags have to be transparent and they have to write their names on the bags.😱

There is a person on duty at the garbage collection point, who is responsible for cleaning the garbage collection point and returning any garbage that is not being collected back to its owner.😭

Well, thanks to this daunting system, they started to think about how hard it is to throw things away when buying things.😅

For long-term stays in Japan

If you are going to stay in Japan for a long time, please ask the janitor how to dispose of garbage.

I'm sure the residents will welcome your concern about such things and welcome you kindly.

Charging for plastic bags

From July 2020, all plastic bags at stores in Japan will be charged.

Until then, when we shopped, every store would put our purchases in a plastic bag as a service.

It is becoming more and more common for people to go out with their own shopping bags.

The trash cans at the station are gone.

Recently, the trash cans at the train stations have disappeared and we have started to take our trash home with us when we are out.

Although it is an inconvenience, we may have to shift to a lifestyle that produces as little garbage as possible.

Change package

More and more food packages are being designed to be waste-free.

Little by little, Japan's awareness of the environment may be changing.😉