For those who don’t know, sorting waste can be a controversial process in Japan – a country that boasts the strictest waste disposal laws in the world.
But in the city of Fukushima, things are about to get even tougher.
Starting in March, the city government will deal with garbage bags that violate regulations – such as those that are not sorted properly, or that exceed size limits – and in some cases publicly identify their owners.
The new rules, passed at a municipal meeting on Tuesday, come amid Japan’s long-running campaign to improve its waste management system.
While many cities in Japan are opening garbage bags for inspection, and some are allowing the disclosure of abusive businesses, Fukushima is believed to be the first city to plan to disclose the names of individuals and businesses.
In a statement sent to the BBC, the Fukushima Waste Reduction Promotion Division said that waste that had not been properly disposed of in the past had caused widespread garbage and an increase in crows.
“Improper disposal of waste is a matter of great concern as it damages the habitat of the local people,” said the department.
Improperly sorted waste also leads to more waste being dumped, the ministry added, “placing the burden on future generations”.
“Therefore, we consider waste management very important.”
Last year, Fukushima reported more than 9,000 cases of illegal dumping.
Currently, instead of collecting garbage that does not comply with the disposal rules, the workers often attach stickers to the bags notifying the residents of the violation of the law. Then the residents will have to put it back in, reorganize it and hope to fix it the next time the collectors come.
Under Fukushima’s new rules, if the trash remains unsorted for a week, city workers can go through it and try to identify offenders through things like mail. Violators will be given a verbal warning, followed by written advice, before final action: publication of their names on the government website.
Amid privacy concerns, Fukushima authorities said the waste inspection would be conducted in private.
Japanese cities each have their own guidelines for how to dispose of garbage. In Fukushima, garbage bags must be placed at collection points every morning at 0830 – but they cannot be left out from the day before.
Different types of waste – divided into combustible, non-combustible, and recyclables – are collected according to different schedules.
For items that exceed specified measurements, such as household items and furniture, residents must make an appointment to have them collected separately.
The Mayor of Fukushima, Hiroshi Kohata, said the new laws are designed to promote waste reduction and proper disposal methods.
“It is illegal to declare malicious waste generators who do not follow the rules and do not follow the guidance and advice of the city,” Mainichi said, citing the authorities.
Waste is taken very seriously in Japan, where since the 1990s the government has made it a national policy to eliminate landfills, reduce waste and promote recycling. Local authorities have introduced their own programs in line with this policy.
Residents of Kamikatsu, a Japanese city with an ambitious zero-waste policy, proudly organize their waste into 45 categories. Kagoshima Prefecture has made it mandatory for residents to write their names on their garbage bags. And last year the city of Chiba was experimenting with an AI assistant to help residents dispose of their trash properly.
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