Mar 05, 2010
Household and Oversized Garbage Collection in Nagoya
Sorting trash in Japan can be a real pain in the neck, especially in Nagoya. Paper, plastic, burnable, non-burnable, spray cans, etc. all need to be separated in the right colored bag, thrown out on the right day and in the right area or the Gomi Police will come looking for you.
Although, Nagoya has published a detailed pamphlet on how to do all this, it has come to Japan Info Swap’s attention that the city is not planning on printing this resource anymore. This is most likely in an effort to cuts costs and also reduce paper usage. But where do foreigners get access to this information in English? There is some basic information on the Nagoya City Homepage, but details are only found on the Japanese pages.
Well, look no further. You can browse the “How to Separate and Dispose of Garbage and Recyclable Refuse” pamphlet online. Just click on the cover below and you will be taken to a page that hosts this trashy resource. Once there, you can read it online, download it in PDF or print it for offline browsing. We hope the information proves useful.
http://www.tofugu.com/2014/10/09/getting-down-and-dirty-with-japans-garbage/
Household and Oversized Garbage Collection in Nagoya
Household garbage is collected at a designated area, in some places the area will be at the home itself, but more often the residents of a neighborhood, area, or apartment building will be required to deposit their trash together at a designated place and time for collection.
Most cities have a different set of “official garbage bags” that must be used. If you use a Toyota City bag to deposit your garbage in Nagoya City the bag will very likely be returned to you by a neighborhood/building official; use the right bag for you area!
The date and time of collection depends on your area, and the kind of household garbage in question. There are 4 official categories of garbage, and household garbage must be sorted using them before pickup.
- Burnable Garbage (2x per week)
- Non- Burnable Garbage (1x per month)
- Ignitable Hazardous Waste (2x per week)
- Large-sized Garbage (1x per month)
Household garbage is collected on all holidays except for the year-end, and New Year’s holidays.
Types of Garbage
Discarding Burnable Garbage
Burnable Garbage is collected 2 times a week.
- Garbage
- Grasses and twigs
- Paper diapers
- Rubber products
- Fabrics
- Leather products
- Tissue paper
- Plastic products
- Etc.
Burnable Garbage must be be put into a plastic bag with RED writing, labeled “Burnable Garbage.” Place the bags in the specified area by 8:00 a.m. on the day of collection (7:00 a.m in Naka Ward).
Newspaper, magazines, paper scraps, corrugated cardboard and clothing are collected separately as recyclables. These should be piled up, and bound in a string before being placed in the designated collection area. (If this location is not specified it is advised you watch when you neighbors do it follow their example).
Discarding Hazardous Garbage
Flammable / Ignitable Hazardous Waste is collected 2 times a week.
- Spray cans
- Disposable lighters
- Solid fuel (in cans)
- Lithium batteries (non-rechargeable)
Flammable Hazardous Waste is collected on the same days as burnable garbage in Nagoya. To dispose of flammable materials, first empty the contents of the container. After spray cans are completely you must empty poke a hole in the side of the can; please do so in a well-ventilated area away from fire or heat.
Flammable hazardous waste is placed in the BLUE plastic bag labeled “recycling,” though in this particular case any clear or translucent bag where the contents are visible may be used.
Place the bags in the specified area by 8:00 a.m. on the day of collection (7:00 a.m in Naka Ward).
Be sure to place flammable garbage well away from burnable garbage.
Discarding Non- Burnable Garbage
Non- Burnable Garbage is collected 1 time per month.
Non-burnable garbage smaller than 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm
- Glass and ceramics trash
- Small-sized metal products and other items inappropriate to burn
- Dry-cell batteries
- Umbrellas
Place your Non- Burnable Garbage into the GREEN bag labeled “non-burnable waste.
Place the bags in the specified area by 8:00 a.m. on the day of collection (7:00 a.m in Naka Ward).
Discarding Oversize Garbage
Oversize Garbage, such as appliances, computers and peripherals, are collected 1 time per month.
Oversize garbage, or “sodai gomi 粗大ごみ” is anything larger than 30 cm×30 cm×30 cm. Large size garbage is collected monthly by the city, but unlike normal garbage pickup, it requires an application in advance and an additional fee. The application must be made at least one week prior to the collection date in your area.
The city WILL NOT collect computer hard drives, laptops, monitors, air conditioners, regular TVs, refrigerators, or washing machines; more on that below.
Process Summary
- Apply online or by phone to the city for an appointment
- Buy a sodai-gomi tesuryo-nofuken sticker at the convenience store for each item.
- Place the items in the specified area by 8:00 a.m. on the day of collection (7:00 a.m in Naka Ward) with the stickers attached.
Process in Detail
Apply by phone: To make you appointment by phone call at least a week before your area’s collection day to the toll-free hotline 0120-758-530. (Japanese language support only. Open weekdays during business hours; 09:00 to 5:00. We suggest having a Japanese friend call for you.) Make sure to note the application number, date and time, and location of pickup when making your appointment.
Apply online: To make you appointment online you must apply within call at least 10 working days before your area’s collection date. You apply online for up to 10 items at a time. The price you need to pay is automatically calculated and you will be sent your application number and the total cost in a confirmation e-mail.
www.nagoya-sodaigomi.jp/gomi
Pay the Fee: To pay the fee go to a convenience store purchase a sticker called a sodai-gomi tesuryo-nofuken – 粗大ごみ手数料納付券. One must be purchased for each item you intend to dispose of. Put the items out by 08:00 on your area’s collection day, and ensure each item has your name and application number is written on its sticker.
As mentioned above, the city will not pick up certain items. There is a separate system for the disposal of computer hard drives, laptops, monitors, air conditioners, regular TVs, refrigerators, or washing machines.
Discarding Home Appliances
Discarding home appliances is governed by the Household Appliance Recycling Law. Air conditioners, “tube” televisions, refrigerators, and washing machines are not collected by the city, even as large garbage, instead, collection is arranged through retail appliance stores for a fee. When purchasing a new appliance you can arrange to have old item picked up at the same time by the shop.
If you are not replacing an item, you can arrange to have it picked up by the shop that sold it to you originally, or you can contact the Household Appliances Recycle Center directly during business hours; 09:00 to 5:00. Please note that they offer Japanese language support only. We suggest having a Japanese friend call for you.
052-482-3167
Discarding Computers and Peripherals
Discarding Computers and Peripherals is governed by the Law for Promotion of Effective Utilization of Recyclable Resources. Personal computers and some peripherals devices machines are not collected by the city, even as large garbage. Instead, desktop computers, monitors, combined display computer hardware, and laptop computers must be recycled through the original equipment manufacturer. For example, if your laptop is from Dell it should be returned to Dell. You must apply for collection with the device’s manufacturer.
If your device’s manufacturer does not have a presence in Japan, or you built it yourself, etc, contact the Personal Computers PC3R Promotion Center directly during business hours; 09:00 to 5:00. Please note that they offer Japanese language support only. We suggest having a Japanese friend call for you.
03-5282-7685
www.pc3r.jp
Recycle Shops
Alternatively, if you have large items that are still functional you may consider selling them rather than paying a disposal fee. Recycle shops are not generous when purchasing items, but they might give you something for your item.
