Challenge
Garbage separation in Kamikatsu-cho
13 types and 43 categories (Since 2024)
We sort out this volume of garbage in Kamikatsu-cho.
We reduce garbage for incineration and landfill as much as possible,
Furthermore, our approach stems from thinking about how to make processing low-cost.
However, it is not that we wish to boast about the extent of sorting we do.
An ideal society is one where resources can be effectively
reused without having to do such troublesome things.
The local residents themselves take initiative in what we are able to do now.
That is the pride of Kamikatsu-cho.
Furthermore, our approach stems from thinking about how to make processing low-cost.
However, it is not that we wish to boast about the extent of sorting we do.
An ideal society is one where resources can be effectively
reused without having to do such troublesome things.
The local residents themselves take initiative in what we are able to do now.
That is the pride of Kamikatsu-cho.
Really?
Garbage collection
There is no garbage truck in Kamikatsu-cho.
Local residents bring their garbage to the town’s only Gomi Station (Garbage collection center) using their own cars.
While this is a bother, the Gomi Station is not closed apart from during the New Year period. It also
has the merit of disposing off any type of garbage at any time of your convenience.
While this is a bother, the Gomi Station is not closed apart from during the New Year period. It also
has the merit of disposing off any type of garbage at any time of your convenience.
Transport assistance
Transport assistance is a system for people who are unable to carry garbage by themselves due to factors such as not being able to drive. Registered persons’ homes are visited at odd-numbered months and the garbage is recovered. There is no charge (except for oversized garbage). Also, neighbors help each other by carrying the garbage for others.
Place
Gomi Station
There is only one Gomi Station within the town and it is in the Zero Waste Center.
All garbage within the town is brought here.
All garbage within the town is brought here.
Amazing!
Separation types
We will introduce the 13 types and 43 categories of
waste segregation used by Kamikatsu-cho.
The numbers from
1 to 13 are the large types of categories
Listed below are 43 categories of items to be sorted out.
Things that can be still used
Things that are no longer be used, but can be still used, things that would be “such a waste to throw out”
may be brought in to the Kurukuru Shop in the Zero Waste Center (local residents only).
Items on display in the shop may be taken home free of charge by anyone.
It’s such fun to drop by to see what treasures might be found while you’re disposing of garbage.
Kurukuru Shop
Method of
bringing garbage in
bringing garbage in
Only local residents can bring garbage in.
Food, heavily soiled items and
specific home appliances such as
refrigerators are not accepted.
Food, heavily soiled items and
specific home appliances such as
refrigerators are not accepted.
bookkeeping
Method of
taking items home
taking items home
People other than local residents are
also welcome to take items home.
bookkeeping
Kitchen waste
Kitchen waste is not accepted at the Gomi Station.
Kitchen waste is to be composted. This is the only resource that you can recycle yourself.
Home
Compost
with assistance available for
purchasing
Electric kitchen
waste processor
home composting
“bacteria de kiero”
Offices
Large electric kitchen
waste processor
waste processor
Let's separate!
Sorting area
A place for local residents to sort garbage.
Bring containers that contained food after washing and drying them.
Bring containers that contained food after washing and drying them.
Recyclable and income-producing resources
（ ◯ Generates income / free × Costs money ）
Metals
◯ Aluminum cans
◯ Steel cans
◯ Spray cans
◯ Miscellaneous metals
◯ Steel cans
◯ Spray cans
◯ Miscellaneous metals
Types of paper
◯ Newspaper leaflets
◯ Cardboard
◯ Magazines and
miscellaneous paper
◯ Paper packs (white)
◯ Paper cups
◯ Paper packs (silver)
◯ Hard paper cores
◯ Shredder waste
× Other paper
◯ Cardboard
◯ Magazines and
miscellaneous paper
◯ Paper packs (white)
◯ Paper cups
◯ Paper packs (silver)
◯ Hard paper cores
◯ Shredder waste
× Other paper
Types of cloth
◯ Clothing and blankets
× Other cloth
× Other cloth
Types of biomass
× Disposable chopsticks,
wooden and bamboo products
◯ Waste cooking oil
wooden and bamboo products
◯ Waste cooking oil
Recyclables and resources for which most of
the processing costs are borne by business operators
the processing costs are borne by business operators
（ ◯ Generates income × Costs money △ Costs just a little money or free ）
Types of plastic
△ Plastic containers and packaging
× Other plastics
△ PET bottles
△ Plastic caps
× Other plastics
△ PET bottles
△ Plastic caps
Types of bottles
△ Transparent bottles
△ Brown bottles
△ Other colored bottles
◯ 1800cc bottles, beer bottles
△ Brown bottles
△ Other colored bottles
◯ 1800cc bottles, beer bottles
Items marked △ are recycled in accordance with the container and packaging recycling system.
This system is run by local governments to collect garbage and companies ought to recycle them.
This system is run by local governments to collect garbage and companies ought to recycle them.
Recyclable resource, resource that costs money
（ ◯ Generates income × Costs money ）
Types of dangerous items
× Ceramics and glass
× Mirrors and Mercury thermometers
× Light bulbs and fluorescent lights
× Dry cell batteries
◯ Waste batteries
◯ Lighters
× Mirrors and Mercury thermometers
× Light bulbs and fluorescent lights
× Dry cell batteries
◯ Waste batteries
◯ Lighters
Oversized garbage
◯ Metal products
× Wooden articles
× Bedding, rugs, carpet and tatami mats
× PVC products and rubber products, etc.
（Non-recyclable）
× Wooden articles
× Bedding, rugs, carpet and tatami mats
× PVC products and rubber products, etc.
（Non-recyclable）
Non-recyclable, garbage that costs money
（ ×Costs money ）
Things that must
be burned
× Things with no alternative
but to be burned
× Paper diapers, sanitary products,
Pet sheets, animal litter
but to be burned
× Paper diapers, sanitary products,
Pet sheets, animal litter
Things that must
go to landfill
× Things with no alternative
but to be put into landfill
but to be put into landfill
Recyclable, resources for which residents bear the processing costs
（ ×Costs money ）
Things that cost money
× Waste tires
× Waste fire extinguishers
× Specific home appliances
× Waste fire extinguishers
× Specific home appliances
Recovery through social contribution campaigns
Recovery programs voluntarily implemented by companies, etc.
Participation by local residents who endorse the goals.
Kamikatsu Junior High School
×
Bellmark Movement
×
Bellmark Movement
Ink cartridges
Nisseysangyo Co., Ltd.
Irodori, and others
Stickers for shipping
Stickers for shipping
Lion Corporation
×
Terra Cycle
×
Terra Cycle
Toothbrushes
Kao Corporation
×
Terra Cycle
×
Terra Cycle
Refill pouches for
shampoo and detergent
shampoo and detergent
Please click here for a more detailed sorting guidebook
Advice
Arrangements for trash cans
There is no need to prepare 43 trash cans in the house.
Frequent items to be disposed differ from household to household, therefore,
sorting varies by household.
For example…
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
(white & silver)
9.
10.
Many people appear to be using about 10 trash cans.
What you want to sort out and how you call them are up to you.
Please put together items that you do not see very often or items that you are not sure about how to sort,
and please ask the Gomi Station staff.
What you want to sort out and how you call them are up to you.
Please put together items that you do not see very often or items that you are not sure about how to sort,
and please ask the Gomi Station staff.
That is why there is no need to remember the 43 categories perfectly.
