1388 cities across 47 prefectures
Sort trash, the easy way.
Answers in 30 seconds.
Pick your city and search by item. Sorting rules, collection methods, and fees — all sourced from official municipal information.
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Step 1
Select your city
Click a region or pick from the list — rules vary by municipality, even within the same prefecture.
Hokkaido
Search by city name
Suggestions will appear as you type
Step 2
Popular items
Start here. Color-coded by disposal category.
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Air Conditioner
Recycle
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Television
Recycle
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Refrigerator
Recycle
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Washing Machine
Recycle
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Computer
Non-burn·Recycle
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Smartphone
Non-burn·Recycle
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Tablet
Non-burn·Recycle
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Printer
Non-burn·Bulky·Recycle
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Newspaper
Resource
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Magazine
Resource
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Cardboard
Resource
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PET Bottle
Resource
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Frying Pan
Non-burn·Resource
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Pot
Non-burn·Resource
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Kitchen Knife
Non-burn·Resource
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Dishes
Non-burn·Resource
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Curtain
Resource·Burn
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Umbrella
Burn·Non-burn
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Shoes
Burn·Non-burn
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Clothes
Resource·Burn
Featured
Disposal guides by life event
Guides for moving, house clearing, spring cleaning, and more — what to book, what to sell, and what to dispose.
Moving day disposal
Backward timeline, bulky pickup booking, what to sell, what to donate.
- Furniture (sofa, bed)
- Appliance Recycling 4 items
- Futon, mattress
- Cardboard, clothing
House clearing & estate cleanup
When to use municipal pickup vs. a private hauler for bulk cleanouts.
- Whole-house estimates
- Valuables and documents
- Buddhist altar, shrine
- Photos, keepsakes
Deep cleaning & decluttering
Handle seasonal purges without missing collection day.
- Clothing, shoes, textiles
- Books, magazines, paper
- Dishes, kitchenware
- Stationery, toys
Replacing appliances
Smart disposal routes for the 4 Home Appliance Recycling items + small appliances.
- Air conditioner, TV
- Fridge, washing machine
- PC, smartphone
- Batteries, small appliances
Starting to live alone
First-time sorting. Designated bags, collection days, bulky pickup — the 3 you must know.
- Where to buy designated bags
- Finding your collection day
- Sorting cheat sheet
- What to do when moving in
Hazardous & special items
Items that can cause fires or accidents if mishandled — batteries, sprays, gas cans, lighters.
- Lithium-ion batteries
- Spray cans, gas canisters
- Fluorescent lamps, mercury
- Lighters, waste oil
About
About this site
Japan Waste Disposal Guide is a reference site for anyone uncertain about how to sort or dispose of trash in Japan.
Built for newcomers, elderly residents, and foreign residents alike. Every entry is based on official municipal sources.
Information is updated continuously, but may lag behind policy changes. Please verify with your municipality's official site before disposal.
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01
Official sources only
Sourced only from each municipality's official site, app, or PDF.
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02
Color-coded by category
Clear distinction across burnable, non-burnable, resource, bulky, hazard. Home Appliance Recycling supported.
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03
No app, free
Browser-only. No install, no sign-up, no personal data.