How to dispose garbage
Fill the designated household garbage collection bags up to a weight that can be carried in one hand, and tie the bags firmly. Be aware that if you put out your garbage in bags other than the designated bags they may not be collected. Designated bags are available at retail stores, supermarkets and convenience stores.
Here, as an example, we will introduce specifically how to dispose trash in Kyoto city where many students live.
How to divide and dispose trash in Kyoto city
In Kyoto city, in order to properly process trash, effort is put into separating trash. Let us confirm how to separate so we can strive to dispose trash properly.
*This can vary depending on the apartment so check for details with your real estate company.
Reference
■The correct way to separate and dispose garbage and recyclables
The proper way to dispose trash in Kyoto city is inserted.
■Educational Manga "The Kyoto I Love"
A Story where an exchange student Bob is chatting with a student from the same university Rumi, and they learn about (2R) reducing, reusing, recycling and the separation of trash.
This content is only available in Japanese.
1Purchasing a trash bag
Kyoto City has introduced its own designated plastic bags. There are two types of designated bags: one for combustible garbage and one for recyclables. Available at supermarkets and convenience stores.
2Separating Trash
For the general way of separating trash, see the graph below.
| Bags and how to dispose | Types of trash,Steps for separating and cautions |
|---|---|
|
■Combustible trash 
Raw garbage ・Drain any excess liquid from raw garbage before discarding! Glass and other sharp objects ・Wrap it in thickly and put it in the center of the garbage bag. Items that could start a fire ・Soak matches or cigarette butts in water before discarding. Regarding lighters, fully use up their fuel and soak them in water before discarding. |
|
Designated bags for recyclable trash 
|
■Cans, glass bottles and PET bottles 
|
|
■Plastic containers and packages 
Trays, bottles, bags, cups, caps, cushioning materials (such as Styrofoam), etc. Wipe or rinse off dirt.
|
|
|
■Recyclable paper 
Newspaper, cardboard, miscellaneous paper waste (fliers, brochures, magazines, paper boxes, envelopes, wrapping paper, paper bags, etc.) Separate recyclable paper, put in paper bags by type, and discard in either way described below.
・Specific ways for disposing"Disposables without regular collections" |
|
Transparent bags (No need to use Kyoto City’s designated plastic bags.) 
|
■Small metal objects and spray cans 
Metal objects about 30 cm or less in length such as pots and kettles Metal objects about 30 cm or less in length such as pots and kettles ・Remove grease! |
|
■Furniture etc. 
Furniture such as tables and shelves etc. Please follow the rules of your apartment building on how to dispose oversized garbage. When requesting to Kyoto city large trash collection centers, place certified large trash disposal stickers on items. When taking into incineration plants, prepare delivery declaration forms. |
| Bags and how to dispose | Types of trash | Steps for separating and cautions |
|---|---|---|
|
For combustible trash. Designated bags.
|
■Combustible trash
Raw garbage, plastics other than containers, and packages, non-recyclable paper, glass, etc. |
Raw garbage ・Drain any excess liquid from raw garbage before discarding! Glass and other sharp objects ・Wrap it in thickly and put it in the center of the garbage bag. Items that could start a fire ・Soak matches or cigarette butts in water before discarding. Regarding lighters, fully use up their fuel and soak them in water before discarding. ・Do not double-bag garbage unless it is necessary (e.g. disposing of dirty items such as diapers). |
|
Designated bags for recyclable trash
|
■Cans, glass bottles and PET bottles
Cans, glasses, and PET bottles for foods and beverages etc. |
Cans, glass bottles and PET bottles are disposed in the kind of bag, but separate cans, glass bottles and PET bottles into different bags. |
|
■Plastic containers and packages
Trays, bottles, bags, cups, caps, cushioning materials (such as Styrofoam), etc. |
Wipe or rinse off dirt.
|
|
|
■Recyclable paper
Newspaper, cardboard, miscellaneous paper waste (fliers, brochures, magazines, paper boxes, envelopes, wrapping paper, paper bags, etc.) |
Separate recyclable paper, put in paper bags by type, and discard in either way described below.
・Specific ways for disposing"Disposables without regular collections" |
|
Transparent bags (No need to use Kyoto City’s designated plastic bags.)
|
■Small metal objects and spray cans
Metal objects about 30 cm or less in length such as pots and kettles |
Be sure to empty the contents completely. Do not make holes in spray cans! ・Remove grease! |
|
■Furniture etc.
Furniture such as tables and shelves etc. |
Please follow the rules of your apartment building on how to dispose oversized garbage. When requesting to Kyoto city large trash collection centers, place certified large trash disposal stickers on items. When taking into incineration plants, prepare delivery declaration forms. For details on Kyoto city Large trash collection center and incineration plants, refer to "Acceptable ways to separate and dispose of garbage and recyclables" PDF page 15 and 16. |
3Disposing
*Disposing = take trash to the designated collection locations
■Trash with regular collection
Recyclables, burnable, small metal and spray cans
| Types of trash | Frequency | Pickup points |
|---|---|---|
| Combustible trash | twice a week | Local regular pick up locations |
| Recyclables | once a week | Local regular pick up locations |
| Small metal objects and spray cans | once a month | Local regular pick up locations |
*Ask your real estate company for regular pick up location
■Trash without regular pick up
Recyclable paper
| Types | Pickup points |
|---|---|
Newspaper  |
Give to community collection services or waste paper collectors. |
Cardboard  |
|
Cartons  |
Market collection services |
Miscellaneous paper waste  |
Use community collection services or waste paper collectors. Discard at the same pickup points on the same day as “Small metal objects and spray cans” are collected. |
*What is community collection services
It is a collection in your local community that the municipality you live in designates a collection location. For specific locations and collection dates, confirm with your real estate company or neighbors.
Rules you should follow when disposing garbage
Leave garbage and recyclables at the designated pickup point in your community by 8:00 a.m. on collection days. Do not put them out the night before.
*If you put garbage out on the previous night, cats or crows may break open bags, and scatter the garbage.
*Regarding cans, glass bottles, PET bottles, plastic containers and packages, small metal objects and spray cans, leave them at a designated point marked by a “Recyclables pickup point” sign.
The weight of one bag should not be more than can be lifted with one hand, and you should discard up to about two bags per collection.
*If you dispose of too much garbage, it may create an obstruction or make it impossible for all garbage to be collected that day. Please cooperate in planned disposal.
For more information refer to "Acceptable ways to separate and dispose of garbage and recyclables" PDF. Information on large trash and furniture is also included.
Kyoto city garbage disposal -video-
There is a video that comprehensively shows how to dispose trash. Please watch.
Information on other municipalities
For details about garbage disposal, please check the information for the municipality in which you live.
*Please be aware that unlawful disposal of garbage is a crime.
