Japanese housewives separate waste. A quick Google search yielded the following instructions for residents of the city of Zama:
Separating the Trash and Taking it out to the designated pick-up location
Zama City picks up the trash according to the following categories : (1) burnable trash, (2) cans, glass bottles, (3) PET(polyethylene terephthalate) bottles, (4) plastic containers, (5) paper and cloth, (6) unburnable trash, and (7) large trash.
Please check the following before taking your trash out to the designated pick-up location. Trash should be at the pick-up location by 8:30 am. Trash bags must be transparent or semi-transparent. Large trash is handled separatery.
Plese see below.
(1) Burnable Trash
Please drain the water from the trash thoroughly, put it in a transparent plastic bag, and tie the top of the bag firmly.
(2) Cans, Glass Bottles
Please empty, rinse and separate cans and glass bottles. Then put them in a transparent or semi-transparent plastic bag. Please dispose of plastic caps as burnable trash and aluminum ones as unburnable.
(3) PET(polyethylene terephthalate) Bottles
Please empty and rinse. Then put them in a transparent or semi-transparent plastic bag. Please dispose of plastic caps as Plastic Containers, aluminum ones as cans.
(4) Plastic Containers（plastic bag, lap, tray, pack, cup, bottle, box, case and lid）
Please empty and rinse. Then put them in a transparent or semi-transparent plastic bag.
(5) Paper and Cloth
Bundle the paper and cloth trash separately with string. Milk cartons must be rinsed, dried, cut open and bundled together with string. Clothes must be washed and dried.
Please note that paper cannot be reused if it gets wet. Therefore, when it rains on the day of pick-up, please make sure it won't get wet by putting it in a transparent or semi-transparent plastic bag or placing it in such a way that it won't get wet.
(6) Unburnable Tｒash
Please wrap broken glass, blades, and other dangerous trash in paper such as newspaper and write “Danger”(“Kiken”) on the paper. Aerosol cans must be emptied and punctured.
(7) Large Trash
Large trash is defined as trash with one dimension over 50 cm long. A fee of 500 yen is required for each item. Please call the Waste Management Division (TEL046(255)1111, ext 2235/6) to make an arrangement for pick-up at your residence. Please speak Japanese when you call.
(Plese see below about taking the trash out to the designated pick-up location.)
Inquiries: Waste Management Division TEL046(252)7659 FAX046(252)7616
