For the uninitiated, sorting your rubbish can be a complicated process in Japan – a country that boasts some of the strictest waste disposal laws in the world.
But the situation in the city of Fukushima is about to get tougher.
Starting in March, the city government will go through garbage bags that violate regulations — such as those that are not properly sorted, or that exceed size limits — and in some cases publicly. But will identify their owners.
The new regulations, approved at a municipal meeting on Tuesday, come amid a long push for Japan to improve its waste management system.
While many cities in Japan open garbage bags for inspection, and some allow disclosure of offending businesses, Fukushima is believed to be the first city to disclose the names of both individuals and businesses. Intends to.
In a statement to the BBC, the Fukushima Waste Reduction Promotion Division said waste that had not been properly disposed of had previously led to scattered litter and crows breeding.
“Improper disposal of waste is a major concern as it degrades the environment of local residents,” the department said.
“What burdens future generations,” added the department, “is not properly sorted, leading to more landfills.”
“So, we consider waste sorting very important.”
Last year, Fukushima reported more than 9,000 cases of non-compliant waste.
Currently, instead of collecting garbage that does not comply with disposal rules, workers usually affix stickers to the bags that notify residents of the violation. Residents then have to take them back in, reset it and hope the next time the collectors come around they fix it.
Under Fukushima’s new rules, if trash remains unsorted for a week, city workers can go through it and try to identify the culprits through items such as postage. Violators will be issued a verbal warning, followed by a written advisory, before the last resort: their names will be published on the official website.
Amid privacy concerns, Fukushima officials said the waste would be inspected privately.
Japanese cities each have their own guidelines on how to dispose of garbage. In Fukushima, garbage bags have to be placed at collection points by 0830 each morning – but cannot be left out the night before.
Different types of waste – separated into combustible, non-combustible, and recyclables – are collected according to different schedules.
For items such as household appliances and furniture that exceed the specified dimensions, residents must make an appointment for separate collection.
Fukushima’s mayor, Hiroshi Kohata, said the new laws are aimed at promoting waste reduction and proper disposal practices.
“There is nothing illegal in advertising for unfortunate waste generators who do not abide by the rules and do not follow the city’s guidance and advice,” Mainichi quoted officials as saying.
Waste is taken very seriously in Japan, where since the 1990s the government has made it a national goal to move away from landfills, reduce waste and promote recycling. Local authorities have introduced their own measures to this end.
Residents of a Japanese town in Kamikatsu proudly sort their garbage into 45 categories. Kagoshima Prefecture has made it mandatory for residents to write names on their garbage bags. And last year the city of Chiba piloted an AI assistant to help residents dispose of their trash properly.