Kyoto Styudy

For those considering study abroad in Kyoto For international students in Kyoto

How to sort garbage

As a city which has adopted the "Kyoto Protocol", Kyoto is focused on environmentally friendly urban development and is promoting the recycling of garbage.
How to put out the garbage varies depending on the municipality.

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

  1. Label
    Metal cap→Combustible garbage
    Plastic cap→Plastic containers and packages
  2. 2.Empty cans or bottles and rinse out

■Plastic containers and packages

Trays, bottles, bags, cups, caps, cushioning materials (such as Styrofoam), etc.

Wipe or rinse off dirt.

  • ・When the dirt is irremovable, discard as combustible garbage.
  • ・Do not put foreign matter inside
  • ・Place in paper bags
  • ・ tie with string

■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.

  • ・Use community collection services
  • ・Use waste paper collection traders
  • ・Carry to city-designated collection facilities

・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!

  • ・Request to Kyoto city large trash collection center
  • ・Carry into incineration plants

■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

■Combustible trash

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, glass bottles and PET bottles

Cans, glasses, and PET bottles for foods and beverages etc.

  1. 1.Remove caps and labels from glass bottles and PET bottles.

    Label→Plastic containers and packages
    Metal cap→Combustible garbage
    Plastic cap→Plastic containers and packages
  2. 2.Empty cans or bottles and rinse out

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

Plastic containers and packages

Trays, bottles, bags, cups, caps, cushioning materials (such as Styrofoam), etc.

Wipe or rinse off dirt.

  • ・When the dirt is irremovable, discard as combustible garbage.
  • ・Do not put foreign matter inside
資源
  • ・Place in paper bags
  • ・ tie with string

■Recyclable paper

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.

  • ・Use community collection services
  • ・Use waste paper collection traders
  • ・Carry to city-designated collection facilities

・Specific ways for disposing"Disposables without regular collections"

Transparent bags (No need to use Kyoto City’s designated plastic bags.)

Transparent bags (No need to use Kyoto City’s designated plastic bags.)

■Small metal objects and spray cans

Transparent bags (No need to use Kyoto City’s designated plastic bags.)

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!

  • ・Request to Kyoto city large trash collection center
  • ・Carry into incineration plants

■Furniture etc.

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

Newspaper
Give to community collection services or waste paper collectors.

Cardboard

Cardboard

Cartons

Cartons
Market collection services

Miscellaneous paper waste

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.