Waste Disposal

Garbage

Regular Pick-up

In Tokyo, the frequency of trash collection is three times a week for burnable garbage, once a week for non-burnable, and twice a month for large items. Consult your ward office or your building owner for collection times.
Burnable: vegetable waste, paper
Non-Burnable: plastics, leather, glass, cans

Large Items
There is a charge for the collection of large items. Charges are on a per item basis. A list of charges can be obtained from your local ward or city office. Items other than those listed are charged according to weight.

Recycling

Aluminum Cans
Japan Recycling Movement Civic Assoc. 03-5228-3300

Household Goods and Used Clothing
Asakusa Catholic Church Fax: 03-3874-1332
Emmaus (will pick up) 03-3920-9118
Franciscan Chapel Center 03-3401-2141
Salvation Army 03-3237-0881
Some other church organizations also accept donations of used goods; call to verify

Newspapers
Newspaper recycle (chirigami kokan) trucks occasionally circulate through neighborhoods swapping newspapers for, typically, toilet paper. Many neighborhood Children's Associations (Kodomo no Kai) use recycling newspapers as a source of operating funds. A chirigami kokan truck usually comes to pick up their papers once a week; to help out and rid your home of excess paper, just add your bundled newspapers to the pile.


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