Tokyo garbage & recycling guide for expats

Living in Tokyo means following strict, locally specific rules for garbage and recycling. This guide summarizes how waste is organized across the metropolis, the common separation categories you will meet, how to buy and use designated bags, what to do with oversized items (sodai gomi) and regulated appliances, and where to find multilingual ward calendars and help.

How Tokyo's waste system is organized

Policy and broad recycling laws are set at the national and metropolitan level, while day-to-day collection and detailed rules are handled by each ward or city. The Ministry of the Environment oversees national recycling frameworks such as the Home Appliance Recycling Law [1], and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government (Environment Bureau) publishes metropolitan guidance and links to ward pages [2]. However, collection categories, collection days, and payment methods (stickers, online reservations) differ by ward — for example, Minato City and Shibuya City publish different separation tables and calendars for residents [3][4].

Main waste categories you will encounter

Most Tokyo wards use the same basic groupings, though names and subcategories vary by ward. Common categories you should expect:

• Burnable (combustible) waste — kitchen scraps, paper towels, small textiles (goes in designated burnable bags) [3][4].
• Non-burnable (incombustible) waste — metal, ceramics, small broken household goods that are not recyclable [3][4].
• Recyclables — PET bottles, glass bottles, cans; often require rinsing and separate collection on set days [3][4].
• Paper — newspapers, magazines, cardboard; usually bundled or placed in transparent bags on designated collection days [4].
• Oversized items (sodai gomi) — furniture, large appliances, mattresses; handled by special procedures and not placed out curbside without reservation [5].

Designated bags: what they are and where to buy them

Many Tokyo wards require use of municipal designated garbage bags for regular household burnable and non-burnable trash. These bags are sold at ward offices, convenience stores and supermarkets; Minato City explicitly notes residents must use the ward's designated bags for ordinary waste [3]. The color and price per bag vary by ward, so buy from your ward office or check the ward's English page for images and sizes before purchasing [3][4].

Collection days and where to find your trash calendar

Collection days and precise sorting rules differ by neighborhood. Most collection is early morning; many wards ask residents to put bags out before the collection time (commonly before 8:00–9:00). Keep the ward-issued trash calendar (many wards provide multilingual PDFs or web pages):

• Minato City publishes an English guide and links to calendar PDFs for each district on its resident page [3].
• Shibuya City provides English separation tables and calendar access for each area on its English site [4].
• The Tokyo Metropolitan Government site links ward pages and general Tokyo rules and is a good starting point if you are unsure which local office covers your address [2].

Oversized items (sodai gomi) and appliance recycling rules

Oversized items cannot be left at the curb without prior arrangement. Most wards require:

1. Advance reservation with the ward office or a designated contractor;
2. Payment via sodai-gomi stickers, barcode/online payment, or direct pickup charges; and
3. Placement at the scheduled pickup time and location only.

Minato City details its sodai gomi procedures (reservation and sticker payment system) on its collection page; follow your ward's online reservation or phone process rather than leaving items out [5]. For Home Appliance Recycling Law items — televisions, refrigerators, air conditioners, and washing machines — arrangements must be made through the retailer or a specialized recycling service as required by national law [1]. Contact the retailer if replacing an appliance, or ask your ward office for approved collection partners.

Hazardous items and special disposal

Items such as dry-cell batteries, rechargeable batteries, fluorescent tubes, spray cans, and cooking oil usually require separate handling and should not go into ordinary burnable or non-burnable bags. Check your ward's pages for exact drop-off dates or collection points. For example, Shibuya City lists separate handling rules and asks residents to use the indicated drop-off or collection procedure for hazardous goods [4]. If in doubt, consult your ward's hazardous-waste instructions or the Tokyo Metropolitan Government links for guidance [2][4].

Practical daily tips for expats

• Always check your ward's English/multilingual page first — Minato City and Shibuya City both maintain English guidance for residents, including calendars and separation charts [3][4].
• Ask your building manager (management company) or neighbors about collection locations and times; many condo buildings have dedicated collection points and rules.
• Keep a printed or digital copy of your ward's collection calendar; schedules change for holidays and seasons.
• Label items or bundle paper as required and rinse recyclables — wards commonly require empty, rinsed bottles and cans [3][4].

Where to get help and official resources

If you cannot find the information you need online, contact your local ward office's waste division. Start with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government environment pages for links and then visit your ward’s English guidance (for example Minato City and Shibuya City) for neighborhood-specific calendars and procedures [2][3][4]. For recycling law questions about appliances, consult the Ministry of the Environment's English site on recycling policies and the Home Appliance Recycling Law [1].

Following local rules keeps neighborhoods clean and helps Tokyo meet national recycling goals. When you move into a new address, bookmark your ward's waste page, buy the required bags, and save the sodai gomi reservation number so disposal is smooth and compliant.

How CallButler Can Help

CallButler is a multilingual concierge service that handles research, coordination, and bookings so you do not have to navigate language barriers or unfamiliar systems alone. If you need help related to Tokyo garbage & recycling guide for expats or the tasks around it, our team can step in to manage the details and keep things moving smoothly.

Sources

1. Waste management / Recycling (Ministry of the Environment, Japan — English)
2. Garbage and recycling (Tokyo Metropolitan Government — Environment Bureau, Japanese)
3. Garbage and recycling (Minato City — English guide for residents)
4. Garbage separation and collection (Shibuya City — English information)
5. How to dispose of large garbage (sodai gomi) — example ward procedures (Minato City — Japanese)