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How to Sort and Put Out the Trash in Japan

In Japan, trash has its own day and its own time. Three simple rules keep your neighbors happy.

How to Sort and Put Out the Trash in Japan
  • Burnable and non-burnable trash go out on different days.
  • Put trash out in the morning, often before about eight o'clock.
  • The schedule differs by town, so ask your building or check the local calendar.

Which day is for which trash

In Japan, people sort their trash before putting it out.

The trash days are different depending on the town.

"Burnable trash" goes out on, for example, Monday and Thursday.

Food waste and paper waste are burnable trash.

"Non-burnable trash" is things like glass and cups.

Plastic bottles go out on a different day.

The place where you put the trash is also decided. It is in front of the building or at a street corner.

If you get the day wrong, the trash is left right where it is. Then, a sticker is stuck on the bag.

Please take off the cap and the label, and rinse it with water.

Time and trash bags

Trash is put out in the morning.

Few people are out in the morning, so the town is quiet. On trash day, let's get up a little early.

In many towns, you have to put it out by about eight in the morning.

In many towns you must not put trash out the night before.

You buy the town's trash bags at a convenience store or a supermarket.

Large items cannot be put out on the usual days.

Please call the local office and ask.

Where to find the calendar

You get the trash calendar at the local government office.

You can also ask the people in your apartment building.

Words in this article

ごみごみ
trash
燃えるごみもえるごみ
burnable trash
燃えないごみもえないごみ
non-burnable trash
出すだす
to put out
町まち
town
朝あさ
morning

Trash day is a promise everyone shares.

What kind of trash day is today? First, let's look at the calendar.