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Always ImportantDaily Life
🗑️ Garbage Sorting Guide — Essential Knowledge for Foreigners in Japan
Incorrect sorting can lead to fines and neighbor disputes
4
Main Types
¥10M
Max Fine
8AM
Morning Limit
♻️
Recycle
❓ Why is garbage sorting important?
In Japan, garbage sorting is legally mandatory. If you don't follow the rules, your garbage won't be collected, and left-over trash causes neighbor disputes. In worst cases, fines can be imposed.
📦 Main garbage categories
🔥 Burnable Garbage2-3x/week
Kitchen waste, paper scraps, clothing, dirty plastics, rubber/leather
❄️ Non-burnable Garbage1-2x/month
Metals, glass, ceramics, small appliances, fluorescent lights
♻️ Recyclables1x/week
PET bottles, cans, bottles, newspapers/cardboard, waste paper
🛋️ Oversized GarbageBy reservation/paid
Furniture, appliances, bicycles, futons, mattresses
📅 Collection day rules
- ●Put out on designated days/times (usually before 8 AM)
- ●Use designated garbage bags (varies by municipality)
- ●Place at the collection point (garbage station)
- ●Don't put out the night before (crows and cats will scatter it)
- ●Incorrectly sorted items won't be collected and get a "violation sticker"
⚠️ About penalties
- ✖Illegal dumping: up to 5 years prison or ¥10M fine
- ✖Sorting violations: varies by area, but subject to warnings
- ✖Repeated violations: may be asked to move out by landlord/management
📱 Useful apps & tools
San-R (さんあ〜る)
Covers 200+ municipalities. Search garbage types by photo, collection calendar
Municipal official app
Your city/ward's official garbage sorting app (many have multilingual support)
Garbage Chat
More municipalities offering AI chat to ask about sorting methods
💡 Key points to know
1After moving, first get a garbage sorting guide from city/ward office
2Designated garbage bags available at convenience stores/supermarkets
3Oversized garbage requires advance reservation by phone/online
44 appliance types (TV/fridge/washer/AC) must be disposed through special channels
5When in doubt, ask your building manager — most reliable way
Source:
MOE — General Waste Disposal