It may come as a surprise to foreigners that there are no trash cans in public places in Japan. However, there is a deeper reason for this phenomenon. In this article, I would like to explore why there are so few trash cans in public places in Japan and what foreigners can do about it.
I am Japanese, but I must admit that I sometimes feel inconvenienced by the paucity of trash cans.
Especially when I am traveling and walking around eating, I sometimes walk around looking for trash cans.
Before visiting Japan, I would like you to know why there are few trash cans in public places in Japan.
It may help you a little during your trip.
Why there are so few trash cans in public places in Japan
places in Japan is related to the Japanese culture of cleanliness. Japanese people generally have a “take your own trash home” mentality, which is the basis for keeping public places clean.
Furthermore, in Japan, consideration for the environment is considered important, and garbage is thoroughly sorted and collected. Generally, in Japan, garbage is required to be separated into burnable garbage, recyclable garbage, and plastic garbage. Therefore, there is limited need to install trash cans in public places from the perspective of waste separation and recycling.
In addition, security considerations play a role in the paucity of trash cans. Trash cans tend not to be placed in dark or low-traffic areas, as they may provide a cover for criminal activity.
There are other reasons. It is to reduce labor and costs associated with crow control and waste disposal.
In Japan, crows are abundant in urban areas and public places. Crows are known to raid garbage cans, resulting in an increase in the amount of garbage scattered throughout the city. Although measures are being taken by local governments, it has been difficult to find a solution.
Another reason for the removal of trash cans in Japan is the increase in the amount of household trash brought into public trash cans and the high cost of disposal.
These are some of the reasons for the decrease in the number of trash cans.
How to throw away garbage in public places in Japan
When throwing away garbage in public places in Japan, it is important to pay attention to the following points.
First of all, it is important to be aware that you will take your own garbage home with you. Before disposing of trash in public places, make sure to carry your own trash bags with you.
Trash is often thoroughly separated in public places, so be careful when disposing of trash. Garbage bins installed in public places are marked with marks for each type of trash, so be sure to check the marks and throw your trash in the appropriate place.
If there are no trash cans in public places, you can use trash cans located at nearby convenience stores or stations. However, it is preferable to use the trash cans at convenience stores after making purchases.
summary
The reasons why there are few garbage bins in public places in Japan include a clean culture, thorough separation and collection, and security considerations. On the other hand, there are also disadvantages such as the burden and smell of taking garbage home and the difficulty of finding places to dispose of garbage.
We hope that foreign visitors to Japan will experience the high level of environmental awareness in Japan and cooperate in taking garbage home with them and separating garbage during their stay in Japan. Each of us should act with awareness to protect our beautiful environment. Please keep Japanese public places clean and enjoy a pleasant stay in Japan.
