Japan Recycling & Trash: How to Sort Garbage Like a Local
By Tour in Japan editors · Updated
Japan has some of the strictest waste separation rules in the world. Here's how to sort your trash correctly — and avoid embarrassing mistakes.
Japan has some of the strictest waste separation rules in the world. Here's how to sort your trash correctly — and avoid embarrassing mistakes.
The Basic Categories
| Category | Color (Tokyo) | What Goes In |
|---|---|---|
| Burnable (可燃) | Clear/White | Food waste, paper, plastic bags |
| Non-burnable (不燃) | Black/Gray | Glass, metal, ceramics |
| Recyclable Plastic (プラ) | Blue | Plastic containers, packaging |
| PET Bottles (ペットボトル) | Blue | Empty PET bottles only |
| Paper (紙) | Blue | Newspapers, cardboard, magazines |
| Glass (ガラス) | — | Bottles, jars (separate by color) |
| Cans (缶) | — | Aluminum and steel cans |
Sorting Rules by City
Tokyo (Most Common)
| Day | Type | Items |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | Burnable | Food waste, paper, plastic |
| Tuesday | Non-burnable | Glass, metal, ceramics |
| Wednesday | Plastic + Paper | Plastic containers, paper |
| Thursday | Burnable | Food waste, paper, plastic |
| Friday | Non-burnable | Glass, metal, ceramics |
| Saturday | Plastic + Paper | Plastic containers, paper |
| Sunday | No collection | — |
Osaka
| Day | Type |
|---|---|
| Monday | Burnable |
| Tuesday | Non-burnable |
| Wednesday | Burnable |
| Thursday | Non-burnable |
| Friday | Burnable |
| Saturday | Non-burnable |
| Sunday | No collection |
How to Sort PET Bottles
- Drink all the liquid — no half-full bottles
- Remove the cap — separate from bottle
- Remove the label — separate from bottle
- Rinse the bottle — quick rinse is fine
- Crush the bottle — step on it to flatten
- Put cap in "cap" bag — some cities collect separately
- Put label in plastic recycling — separate from bottle
How to Sort Cans
- Drink all the liquid — empty completely
- Rinse — quick rinse
- Crush — flatten to save space
- Don't remove pull tabs — they stay on the can
Where to Dispose
| Location | What |
|---|---|
| Hotel | Usually has sorted bins in room or lobby |
| Convenience store | PET bottles, cans (outside) |
| Train station | Sorted bins on platforms |
| Park | Sorted bins (usually) |
| Street | No public bins (take it home) |
Common Mistakes
| Mistake | Why It's Wrong |
|---|---|
| Putting food waste in regular trash | Must go in burnable bag |
| Not removing PET bottle caps | Caps are different plastic type |
| Putting plastic bags in recycling | Bags are burnable, not recyclable |
| Mixing glass colors | Some cities require color separation |
| Putting hot food in bags | Let it cool first |
Tips for Tourists
- Use hotel bins — easiest option, they sort for you
- Carry a small bag — for your trash until you find a bin
- Convenience stores — accept PET bottles and cans outside
- Don't worry too much — locals understand tourists don't know all the rules
- When in doubt — ask hotel staff or look at other people's trash bags
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