The Art of Trash Sorting in Japan: A Culture of Cleanliness

Japan has a rightly earned reputation for cleanliness thanks to a strict waste management policy and a culture of caring for the environment. If you’re looking to explore Japan in an RV, then you should really know how to handle trash properly. If you aren’t used to the waste management practices in Japan, though, it can be quite confusing. In this article, we’ll look at the art of trash sorting in Japan to help you adopt a culture of cleanliness during your time here.

How Does Japan Sort Trash?

The first step to proper trash disposal in Japan is understanding the different categories of waste. The main types of trash you’ll encounter here include:

Burnable Trash

Burnable trash is one of the most common categories. This includes kitchen waste like food scraps, most paper products (excluding certain treated papers), cloth, and small wooden items. These items are typically disposed of in designated burnable trash bags, which are often colour-coded to avoid confusion. The signage for these trash cans generally includes a flame symbol, indicating that the contents are incinerated.

Non-Burnable Trash

Non-burnable trash is any material that cannot be easily incinerated. This category includes ceramics, glass (other than bottles and jars, which are recycled), metals, and certain types of hard plastics that don’t qualify as PET bottles or other recyclables. The signs for non-burnable trash are typically marked with a symbol featuring a flame crossed out.

PET Bottles

PET bottles require separate disposal due to their recyclable nature. In Japan, these are not to be mixed with general plastics. The bins for PET bottles are usually easy to identify with clear signage depicting a plastic bottle. To prepare PET bottles for recycling, you should rinse them and remove the labels and caps, which are thrown away with burnable garbage.

Cans

Aluminium and steel cans, used primarily for drinks, are also collected separately from other types of waste. Like PET bottles, cans should be emptied and rinsed. Some areas also encourage or require that cans be crushed to save space. The designated bins for cans are marked with a symbol or picture of a can.

Other Recyclables

Other recyclables include glass bottles and jars, cardboard, and certain plastics. These are usually sorted into separate categories, each with specific collection rules and days. Glass should be emptied and rinsed; cardboard should be free of any non-paper materials and folded or cut to fit into the recycling bin.

Special Handling Items

Some items require special handling due to their hazardous nature or potential for recycling. These include batteries, light bulbs, and electronic devices. These items should not be disposed of in regular trash bins but rather taken to designated collection points that handle hazardous or special waste.

Regional Differences in Trash Sorting

While the basic categories of trash are consistent, there can be significant regional variations in the rules for disposal. So if you’re travelling by motorhome, Tokyo may have different rules for trash sorting compared to Kyoto. Due to these regional variations, it’s important to check local guidelines, which can usually be found in English in popular RV areas or obtained from local municipal offices.

Practical Tips for RV Travelers

When using Travellers Autobarn, Tokyo is your starting point. However, as you’ll be travelling to different regions, you will need to adhere to different rules for trash sorting. So, here are a few practical tips to help you manage waste effectively during your travels:

Utilise Michi no Eki and Convenience Stores

Michi no Eki (roadside rest areas) and convenience stores are invaluable resources for disposing of trash. Many of these locations provide specific bins for burnable and non-burnable waste, as well as for recyclables like PET bottles and cans. Always check the signs and follow local sorting rules.

Leave No Trace

When camping or staying in an RV park, the “leave no trace” principle is something you should always adhere to. This means carrying out whatever you carry in, leaving the site as clean (or cleaner) than you found it. This practice helps to respect the environment and also aligns with Japanese cultural norms regarding cleanliness and respect for nature.

Plan Your Waste Disposal

Given the strict rules, planning how and where to dispose of your trash can save a lot of headaches. Keep a map of convenient disposal points and note the pickup days in the areas you’ll be staying. Apps and websites dedicated to RV travelers in Japan can also provide this information.

Keep Japan Clean by Following the Rules on Your RV Trip

An RV trip across Japan is one of the best ways to experience this beautiful country. During your trip, though, you must adhere to the strict waste disposal and trash sorting regulations. By following these rules, you can help keep this beautiful part of the world clean while respecting the culture and people who live here. Maintaining cleanliness is not just about following rules; it’s about contributing to the wonderful culture and environment of Japan.