TIPS ON EVERYBODY`S FAVORITE SUBJECT !!!!

11.11.2022

Hello Hello Okinawa new comers!!

Today I would like to give you some tips and advice on everybody`s favorite subject which is ........................

TRASH SEPARATION !!

I know, I know.  I can already feel the rejection to these words but it`s okay!

Separating your daily trash & recyclables is not that difficult as it may seem at first. You just have to get the hang of it and you`ll be good in no time. So before I get into the subject let me go over the basics of TRASH SEPARATION.

Basically, there is going to be 5 separation which means 5 separate trash bags. The combustibles(burnables), non-burnables(broken glass or plates), cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles. It`s okay! I know its a lot but dont be scared away. On a good note, the actual daily trash you are going to have is the burnables and the recyclables, which means 4 different trash bags.

Now, let me get into details. As for the burnables, things such as food waste, paper and items like that may be easy to come up with. Although, here are the items some people get confused about with burnable trash. Items that are plastic material can go into the burnables. Plastic materials such as egg boxes, detergent and food trays goes into the burnable bag even though its plastic material. The only item that goes into the plastic bottles bag of the recyclables is bottles that you drink from. I think this was one the most confusing things for people that are not use to trash separation in Japan. I know that in some countries the recyclable trash for plastic is categorized by whether if the material is plastic. 

However, in Japan that is not the case. Only plastic bottles you drink out from is considered recyclable plastic. Anything other than that, goes into the burnables bag even if its plastic material.

Okay, now that we got that taken care of, you already know the basics for the burnable bags and plastic bottle bags. Next is the bags for cans and glass bottles. Unlike how the plastic bottles bag were, for the cans and glass bottes, anything that is can material goes into the cans bag such as cookie cans, drink cans, all can materials. Anything that is glass material goes into glass bottle bags except if its broken because then that would be considered burnable trash.

I know explaining trash separation by words is difficult to actually fully understand everything because its just too many information coming-in at once. Thats why I have one advice.

Upon your daily routine of throwing away trash, try to use the 5 trash bins that are set next to each other.  I think this might be the easiest and smoothest way to have the trash separation routine as a habit. As for the connected trash bins, you can get them at the famous Make-Man DIY store in Chatan or Uruma city. I strongly adive you to use this because it will help out a lot in your life in OKINAWA.

Good day everybody!!