Money is Required for Garbage Disposal in Japan

Foreign tourists in Japan are often surprised to see clean streets everywhere. In Japan there are some rules for garbage disposal. First of all, you are obliged to separate nonflammable garbage from flammable garbage, and put them into half transparent vinyl bags, which are sold at supermarkets and convenience stores.

In many cities some money is needed to dispose of garbage. The amount is decided by local governments and is usually added to the price of garbage bags. The fee depends on the bag size, but 200 yen ~ 600 yen per 10 bags is common. Some local governments impose a collecting fee on businesses only.

Garbage disposal dates are fixed. Flammable garbage is usually collected twice a week while nonflammable garbage is collected once a week. Garbage disposal is also regulated to a certain place. If you dispose of it on the wrong day or in the wrong place, it will not only fail to be collected, but you will also have difficulties keeping good relations with your neighbors if your conduct is witnessed. So you should be careful. Since some people don't respect the rules, a proposal that each resident should write his or her name on the garbage bags is raised.

Garbage disposal also causes problems with crows. The crows that eat garbage for their food gather at collection spots, and as they poke at garbage bags with their beaks the streets become dirty. Now this crow problem is growing into a big issue among residents. But recently a bag has been invented in a color the crows dislike, and is proving to be effective.

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