How to Sort and Put Out Garbage in Yokohama

Put everything together in a clear or semi-transparent bag so the contents can be seen

Collected on the same day as burnable garbage

Wrap it in the original box, newspaper or thick paper so it does not tear

Write what is inside, such as 「ガラス」 (glass), in Japanese

Put small items that do not break, such as gravel or soil, in a bag

Items 50 cm or larger → Oversized Garbage

Items that are mostly metal → less than 30 cm: Small Metal Items; 30 cm or larger: Oversized Garbage

Spray cans and batteries → their own categories

Collected on the same day as burnable garbage, but in a separate bag containing only spray cans

Use up all the contents

Spray cans often contain flammable gas. Avoid emptying them near fire or in a closed room.

No need to make a hole in the can

Some people have been taught to make a hole in spray cans before throwing them away, but in Yokohama this is not necessary. Do not make a hole — just empty the can completely before putting it out.

Remove the cap and put it in "Plastic Recyclables"

Collected on the same day as burnable garbage, but in a separate clear or semi-transparent bag

Use the battery up and put tape over the terminals (the metal parts)

If the metal part of a battery touches other metal, electricity can flow and cause heat or fire. The tape prevents this.

Products whose battery cannot be removed, such as cordless or robot vacuum cleaners, are put out on burnable garbage day in a separate bag from other garbage.

The City of Yokohama explains that these products are the most common cause of smoke and fires in garbage trucks. A separate bag makes them easier for collection workers to spot.

Rinse the inside. Items that are hard to wash, such as tubes, can go as they are once used up

Containers, packaging and products can go together in one clear or semi-transparent bag

Do not divide them into small bags. Bags are torn open by machine to check the contents before recycling, and small bags do not tear

Items containing metal or rubber, and thick, hard items (such as cutting boards) → Burnable Garbage

Items 50 cm or larger → Oversized Garbage

String, sheets and other items that are 50 cm or larger when spread out → Burnable Garbage if folded to less than 50 cm, otherwise Oversized Garbage

PET bottles (with the PET mark) → Cans, Glass Bottles and PET Bottles

Bottles for oil, sauce, dressing, etc. (without the PET mark) → Plastic Recyclables

Small electrical appliances (anything that runs on electricity or batteries) → small appliance collection boxes. If that is difficult, put them out in a separate bag on burnable garbage day

Needles and other medical equipment → a hospital, clinic or pharmacy. If you put them out as burnable garbage, put them in a hard container whose contents can be seen

Bags, tubes and catheters used for home medical care go in Burnable Garbage, even if they have the plastic mark

Put cans, glass bottles and PET bottles together in a clear or semi-transparent bag. Use a different bag from small metal items

Remove caps and labels. Plastic caps → Plastic Recyclables; metal caps → Small Metal Items

Empty and rinse them

Do not crush cans and glass bottles; do crush PET bottles

Collected on the same day as cans, glass bottles and PET bottles, but in a different bag

Except for small pieces, put them out without a bag. If you use a bag, it must be clear or semi-transparent

Use up the contents of oil cans, paint cans, etc. before putting them out, because of the risk of fire

It is enough that no liquid is left inside. You do not need to wash off what is stuck to the inside of the can.

Remove plastic caps and put them in "Plastic Recyclables"

Wrap knives, nails, needles and other small or sharp items in paper and write what they are. This prevents injuries to collection workers and stops small items from scattering

Electrical appliances → small appliance collection boxes. Items mostly made of plastic (such as hair dryers) and less than 50 cm can also go in Burnable Garbage

Metal items 30 cm or larger → Oversized Garbage

Disposable lighters → use up the contents, then Burnable Garbage

High-pressure gas cylinders are not collected by the city → ask the store where you bought them

The city collects it free of charge. Contact the Resources and Waste Recycling Office for the ward where you found it.

Calls are accepted Monday to Saturday, 8:00 to 16:45. The office is closed over the New Year holidays.

If you find it on a national highway, contact the national highway office (or its branch office) instead of the Resources and Waste Recycling Office. You can check which office to contact on the official page.

Collection by the city costs 6,500 yen. The pet is cremated together with other animals (communal cremation), and the remains are not returned.

The city can collect a pet if it fits in a container no larger than 1 m long × 60 cm wide × 35 cm high and the total weight, including the container, is less than 50 kg.

If you want to take the remains home, or want an individual cremation, you can apply to Totsuka Funeral Hall. There is a fee, and you must apply in advance.

You can also use a private pet cremation or funeral service. Handing your pet to the city is not the only option.

Garbage whose longest side is 30 cm or more (metal) or 50 cm or more (other materials) is "oversized garbage". Furniture and bicycles are examples.

You must apply in advance, and there is a fee. You can apply by chat, LINE, online or by phone. You can check how to apply and the fees on the official page.

If you apply for collection, put it out by 8:00 a.m. on the collection day at the place confirmed when you applied.

Use paper string and paper bags where possible. Anything other than paper gets in the way of recycling. If you have no paper string or paper bags, plastic string is also fine.

The following cannot go out as used paper because they get in the way of recycling.

Dirty paper (used tissues, pizza boxes, etc.)

Foil paper, and paper cartons lined with aluminum

Plastic-coated paper (paper where the plastic layer stays in one piece when you tear it by hand)

Heat-swelling paper (paper that rises when heated, used for braille and similar)

Carbon-backed paper and transfer paper (such as iron-on transfer paper)

Paper containers for instant noodles, yogurt and ice cream

Paper containers for detergent, and individual wrappers for soap

These go in Burnable Garbage.

Collected clothing and fabric are reused as they are, for example as second-hand clothes.

Wash and dry it, then put it in a clear or semi-transparent bag (not a paper bag)

Check that the pockets are empty

Cannot be put out on rainy days (recycling collection boxes can still be used)

Items with holes, stains or tears cannot be reused as they are, so they cannot go here. Put them in "Burnable Garbage".

Carpets, futons and mattresses are "Oversized Garbage". Items that fold to less than 50 cm can also go in "Burnable Garbage".

You can also take recyclables in yourself.

What is accepted, and on which days and at what times, depends on the drop-off place. Options include the Resources and Waste Recycling Office for your ward and collection boxes at ward offices, supermarkets and other places. You can check the official page before taking items in.

By law (the Home Appliance Recycling Act), these must be recycled and cannot be thrown away as garbage.

If you are replacing one, ask the store where you buy the new one to take the old one. If you are only getting rid of it, ask the store where you bought it. There is a recycling fee and a transport fee.

If there is no store you can ask, you can check other ways to dispose of it on the official page.

Manufacturers and others collect them. Computers less than 30 cm can also go in small appliance collection boxes free of charge.

They are disposed of through the motorcycle recycling system. You can check the details on the official page.

Ask a designated recycling contact. Spray-type fire extinguishers are not fire extinguishers for this purpose — use up the contents and put them out as "Spray Cans". However, products involved in burst accidents must not be put out as spray cans; contact the manufacturer instead.

Large amounts of garbage produced at one time cannot be left at the collection point. Take it to a city facility yourself, or ask a company licensed by the City of Yokohama. Where to take it and how to apply depend on the type of garbage. You can check the details on the official page.

Ask the store or a specialist company.

Different rules apply than for household garbage. You can check them on the official page.