Short answer: in Japan you sort household waste into burnable, non-burnable, recyclables and oversized (sodai gomi) items. You put each type out only on its collection day, usually by 8:00 a.m., in the bags your city requires. Large items need a booked pickup and a paid sticker. TVs, fridges, washing machines and air conditioners go through a separate recycling system, not the city collection. Rules differ by city, so get your ward's calendar when you register your address.
Garbage sorting is one of the most common culture shocks for new expats and international students in Japan. Get it wrong and your bag may be left behind with a warning sticker, or your landlord may get complaints from neighbours. This guide makes it simple.
Quick-Reference: Major Trash Categories in Japan
Exact rules depend on your municipality, but trash is generally divided into these four main categories:
| Category | Typical Items | Bags to Use | Collection Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnable (Moeru Gomi) | Food waste, paper, small plastic wraps, clothes, leather items | City-designated bags or clear/semi-transparent bags | 2 times per week |
| Non-Burnable (Moenai Gomi) | Glassware, ceramics, light bulbs, small metal utensils, small appliances | Clear bags (to show contents clearly) | 1 or 2 times per month |
| Recyclables (Shigen Gomi) | PET bottles, aluminum cans, glass bottles, cardboard, newspapers | Separated by type in baskets or tied in bundles | 1 time per week |
| Oversized (Sodai Gomi) | Furniture, bicycles, large luggage, mattresses (items over 30cm) | Requires paid stickers; does not go in standard bins | By appointment only |
1. Burnable vs. Non-Burnable Waste
Burnable waste (Moeru Gomi or Kanen Gomi) is incinerated at local plants. This includes food scraps (drain off the water first), tissue paper, and dirty plastic wrappers that cannot be cleaned. Non-burnable waste (Moenai Gomi or Fukanen Gomi) is material that cannot be burned safely, such as glass, metal products and ceramics.
2. Garbage Bags and Put-Out Times
- Paid city bags: many cities, including Kyoto and Sapporo, sell their own designated garbage bags. The price of the bag is the disposal fee, so trash in any other bag is not collected.
- Clear or semi-transparent bags: in Tokyo's 23 wards there is no paid bag for household trash. Any clear or semi-transparent bag is fine, so collectors can see the contents.
- Timing: put trash out on the morning of collection, usually by 8:00 a.m. (8:30 in some cities). Putting it out the night before attracts crows and complaints unless your building allows it.
- Location: use your building's or block's collection point (ゴミ置き場, gomi okiba). Cover bags with the net if one is provided.
3. Preparing Recyclables (PET, Cans, and Paper)
Japan recycles efficiently, but residents must prepare materials before disposal:
- PET Bottles: remove the cap and peel off the label (both go in plastics or burnable trash, depending on your city). Rinse the bottle, flatten it, and put it in the designated recycling bin or bag.
- Cans and Glass Bottles: rinse thoroughly and follow your city's rule on crushing cans. Put them in the separate crates or bags provided on collection day.
- Cardboard: flatten all boxes, stack them, and tie them securely with paper twine. Do not put cardboard in plastic bags.
4. Oversized Garbage (Sodai Gomi): Step by Step
Furniture, futons, bicycles, microwaves and other items longer than about 30 cm are usually sodai gomi. You cannot put them out with regular trash:
- Book a pickup online or by phone with your city's oversized waste reception centre (粗大ごみ受付センター). You get a collection date, a reception number and the fee for each item.
- Buy disposal stickers (粗大ごみ処理券) for the exact amount at a convenience store or supermarket. Many Tokyo wards use ¥200 (A) and ¥300 (B) stickers, and fees per item typically range from a few hundred yen to over ¥2,000.
- Attach the sticker, write your name or reception number on it, and put the item at the agreed spot by 8:00 a.m. on the collection day.
Moving out soon? Book early, because slots fill up in March. See our leaving Japan checklist for the full move-out timeline.
5. Appliances, PCs and Batteries: Items the City Will Not Collect
- Home Appliance Recycling Law (家電リサイクル法): TVs, air conditioners, refrigerators/freezers and washing machines/dryers cannot go to the city at all. Ask the shop that sold it, or the shop selling you a replacement, to take it back for a recycling fee plus a collection fee. You can also buy a recycling ticket at the post office and take the item to a designated drop-off site.
- Computers: PCs and monitors are recycled by the manufacturer. If it has the PC Recycle mark, collection is usually free. Government-certified small-appliance recyclers are another option.
- Small appliances and batteries: many ward offices and electronics stores have collection boxes for small electronics. Never put lithium-ion batteries or power banks in regular trash, because they cause fires in garbage trucks. Use the battery collection boxes at electronics and home-goods stores.
6. Where to Find Official Garbage Schedules
Each municipality issues a calendar showing which days each trash type is collected. You can usually get a copy in English, Chinese or Korean when you register your address at the ward office. Many cities also offer a free garbage-sorting app with reminders. For digital guidelines, check your city's official website.
7. Master Your Neighborhood Layout with yuzu.help
Finding the collection point (Gomi Okiba) for your building or block is essential. Many neighbourhoods share a communal spot covered by nets to stop crows scattering the trash. Check the yuzu.help Neighborhood Map to locate ward offices, recycling drop-offs, and stores where you can buy trash cans and cleaning supplies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What happens if I put my garbage out on the wrong day?
The collectors will leave the bag behind with a bright warning sticker explaining the mistake. Take the bag back inside and put it out on the correct day.
Q: Can I use black plastic trash bags in Japan?
No. Most municipalities require clear or semi-transparent bags, or their own designated bags, so collectors can check that the contents are sorted correctly and safe.
Q: Where do I buy the designated garbage bags?
At supermarkets, convenience stores and drugstores. If your city uses paid bags, look for the ones printed with your city or ward name.
Q: What time should I put out the trash?
On the morning of the collection day, usually by 8:00 a.m. Check your city's calendar, because some areas collect later or allow trash out the night before.
Q: How do I dispose of cooking oil in Japan?
Never pour it down the drain. Solidify it with an oil-hardening product such as Katameru Tenpuru (固めるテンプル), or soak it up with newspaper, and throw it out as burnable trash.
Q: How do I dispose of a broken plate or drinking glass?
Wrap the shards in thick newspaper, write "Kiken" (危険, dangerous) clearly on the paper, and put it out with non-burnable trash.
Q: What is the maximum size for standard trash before it becomes Sodai Gomi?
In most wards, any item whose longest side exceeds about 30 centimetres (roughly 12 inches) counts as oversized trash and needs a paid sticker.
Q: Are spray cans and gas canisters considered non-burnable?
Usually, but they must be completely empty to prevent explosions in the collection trucks. Some cities collect them separately, and rules on puncturing them vary, so follow your city's guide.
Q: Can I throw away old electronics like laptops and TVs in the trash?
No. TVs, air conditioners, fridges and washing machines fall under the Home Appliance Recycling Law and go back through a shop or a designated drop-off site for a fee. Laptops and desktop PCs are recycled by the manufacturer, usually for free if they have the PC Recycle mark.