How to dispose oversized garbage in Japan

Have you ever been worried about how to dispose oversized garbage (large garbage) when moving or room makeovers? I threw away the chair I didn’t need last summer.  Unlike other ways of disposing oversized garbage, you may need to pay to dispose it.
So today, I would like to introduce how to put out oversized garbage in Japan.

What is oversized garbage?

Oversized garbage refers to garbage with a size of 30 cm * 30 cm * 30 cm or more. For example, tables, suitcases, futons, etc.
Oversized garbage is disposed of differently from other garbage.  Be careful as it will not be collected just by placing it in the garbage storage area.

How to dispose oversized garbage

How to dispose of oversized garbage

Measure the size of oversized garbage

Let’s measure the height, width, and depth.

Apply in advance to the oversized garbage reception center

Call the oversized garbage reception center in the area where you live. The following information will be asked when you call in advance.

• Name, address, phone number
• Types of oversized garbage (for example, tables and rice cookers etc.)

Note

English websites are available in some large cities such as Tokyo.

Https://sodai.tokyokankyo.or.jp/Sodai/V2Index/0/1

What to tell by phone

• Size of oversized garbage
• What kind of garbage (for example, futon or table)
• Number of garbage
• Desired collection date

What is communicated by phone

• Scheduled collection date
• Cost
• Type and number of garbage disposal tickets to purchase

Purchase a garbage disposal ticket

You can purchase it at convenience stores and supermarkets with this display.

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• 

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Dispose oversized garbage in front of the house by 8:30 am on the collection day designated by the oversized garbage reception center

• Put a garbage disposal ticket on a conspicuous place of oversized garbage before putting it out.
• Cannot be put out at collection points for resources, combustible and non-combustible waste.
  Place it at the entrance of the site or in a prominent place in front of the house.

Collected by a collection company.

Done!

By where you live, you may not need to request collection or purchase a garbage disposal ticket (free collection as non-burnable garbage). Let’s check the flyer of the garbage classification method distributed when moving.

Cost

It depends on the municipality, but you can collect it for about 200 to 800 yen. The amount varies depending on the size of the garbage and the difficulty of disposal.

Items that cannot be thrown away as oversized garbage
<TV, refrigerator, air conditioner, washing machine, clothes dryer>

In Japan, there is a law called “Home Appliance Recycling Law”(家電リサイクル法 / かでんりさいくるほう).
Therefore, home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators, air conditioners, washing machines, and clothes dryers cannot be thrown away as oversized garbage. There are three disposal methods below.

1. Have the store where you purchased the new home appliance pick it up
2. Sell at a recycle shop
3. Ask a designated contractor of the local government to collect

In this topic, I will introduce method No.3.

How to request collection to a designated contractor of the local government

Cost

The cost consists of the recycling fee and the transportation fee. Recycling fees are stipulated by law, but transportation costs vary by collector.　The following is a guideline for recycling fees and transportation fee.

Items that cannot be thrown away as oversized garbage
<Computer>

How to request collection to a designated contractor

It’s easy to throw away your computer and it’s free. There are many PC collection companies, but here are some recommended companies and procedures.

Access the ReNet web page and press the　<カンタン申込み>　button

Answer the displayed choices

Select whether to delete the data on your computer yourself or by a vender

It costs money to leave it to the vender, so it is recommended to delete it yourself.

Select whether there are any collected items other than the computer

The vender can also collect smartphone, LCD monitors, printers, digital cameras, and DVD players.

Select the number of collection boxes

The vender can collect up to 1 box for free.
Let’s put the computer in the cardboard that you can get at supermarket or convenience store.

Select the desired collection date and time

A delivery person will come to your home at the desired date and time.
There is no need prepare a delivery slip.

Enter your address, name and phone number etc.

Check that the input contents are correct

Do not press the “申込む” button displayed at the top of the screen.

Scroll down

After unchecking the “メールマガジン登録” check box, click the “申込む” button.
You will receive an application confirmation email.

Hand over the computer to the delivery person on the collection date and time and done!

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Conclusion

Even if you don’t know how to dispose garbage, don’t dump it illegally. It is also illegal to bring home appliances that have been thrown away in the garbage dump. 
There are many detailed rules in Japan, but if you have any problems, feel free to ask questions in the online community. You can use it for free as a place to ask questions and share information, even if it is not a garbage disposal rule.

2021-04-04Introduction and usage of the online community “useJapan”