Posted by Living in Japan is convenient, and while living in an apartment in Tokyo, there are a few things about trash recycling that you should remember. Japan is very strict in trash recycling, from the separate steps at household to collecting schedule.
There are 4 basic forms (any many more in multiple different town in Japan):
- Moeru gomi (燃えるごみ) which means burnable/combustible garbage. Things included are paper, food wrappings, boxes, food waste, etc.
- Moenai gomi (燃えないごみ) which means incombustible garbage such as glass, metal items, etc. Save your cans later for this!
- Shigen gomi (資源ごみ) which means recyclable. Things such as food containers, bottle caps, plastic wrap, etc. And Polyethylene terephthalate or PET, plastic bottle. They usually collect on the same day with Moenai gomi.
- Sodai gomi (粗大ごみ) which means oversized trash
Fact here: according to Waste Atlas, Japan’s recycling rate is 20.8%.
Combustible trash
Usually collected twice a week, includes
- Paper wastes like waste/dirty paper, kitchen rolls, toilet paper, diapers, etc
- Plastic bags and wrappers like food wrappers, gift wrappers, grocery bags, etc
- Rubber and leather-like bags, shoes, slippers, etc
- Tube and other plastic containers that cannot be cleaned like cooking oil containers, sauce containers, yogurt containers, etc
The designate place for combustible trash of each apartment in Tokyo is different, so be sure to check with your landlord to know if you should put it in a separate trash room or sometime, in front of the building on the night before.
Incombustible
Usually collected twice a month, including
- Non-burnable trash like plastic cords, hoses, etc
- Ceramic wares like teacups, plates, etc
- Metals material
- Glass material like flower vases, broken glass, etc
- Small appliances like rice cookers, hair dryers, and other similar.
PET and Plastic and recyclable material
Usually collected once a week, including
- Bottles include empty glass containers (caps must be removed),
- Tin cans, aluminum cans (juice and beer cans).
Plastic bottles and other materials must be put in a separate box or garbage bag. Note that Pet bottles should be cap removed and clean before throwing out.
Oversized garbage for apartments in Tokyo
Only be collected after informed to the ward office, including
- Home furniture such as bookshelves, cupboards, bed, sofa
- Golf bag, electric fans, vacuum, carpet, etc
- Toys that bigger than 50 centimeters in size
- Bicycles, motorcycles under 60cc , etc
In most apartment in Tokyo, oversized garbage usually left in front of the building, but always ask your landlord to be sure if you need to move it somewhere else.
Some areas required a specific trash bag that you can buy at a convenience store or any supermarket. Check with your local office for more detail.
If you are living in Kita-ward of Tokyo, this downloadable instruction could help you understand your ward trash recycle requirement.
Garbage Collection Guides – Tokyo’s 23 Wards
Why don’t you ask our wonderful local hosts at Homii Homestay to guide you?