Key Points
- Beyond container/packaging plastics, more cities now collect “product plastics” such as hangers, buckets and toys as a resource.
- Timing, eligible items and rules differ by city. Check your municipality’s guidance.
- Where adopted, plastic products previously treated as “burnable waste” become resource waste.
Background
Japan’s Plastic Resource Circulation Act (effective April 2022) encourages municipalities to separately collect and recycle product plastics. In response, cities are progressively expanding collection to cover product plastics in addition to containers and packaging.
What Cities Are Doing (official announcements)
- Saitama City: さいたま市：令和8年10月からプラマーク無しプラスチック製品も資源ごみへ分別変更
- Shinjuku Ward: 新宿区｜令和6年4月から「製品プラスチック」の分別が燃やすごみ→資源回収に変更
- Sendai City: 仙台市、令和5年4月からハンガー等の製品プラスチックを「プラスチック資源」として一括回収開始
What to Check
- Check whether product plastics are now collected as a resource in your city.
- Even if eligible, heavily soiled items may still go to burnable waste.
- Products containing metal or batteries are often excluded — separate them.
Related
- How to dispose of plastic products
- Find your city’s rules from the city guide
Note: This article summarizes nationwide trends based on official municipal announcements. It does not assert any specific city’s exact rules. Always verify the latest information on your municipality’s official website.