Welcome to Japan!
Iwakuni City requires all residents to separate household waste carefully. Trash must be placed in Iwakuni’s official paid garbage bags and only on the correct collection day at the designated pickup spot.
These rules may be very different from what you know in your country, so please read this carefully.
♻️ 1. Waste Categories in Iwakuni
(1) Combustible Waste (Burnable Garbage)
Examples:
Food waste, tissues, diapers
Dirty paper products, cloth, small wood scraps
Plastic items without the recycling (プラ) mark
👉 Place in red designated bags.
(2) Non-combustible Waste (Unburnable / Mixed Trash)
Examples:
Ceramics, glass pieces (broken cups, dishes, etc.)
Small metal objects, pans, knives (wrap tips for safety)
Hard plastics without the recycling symbol
👉 Place in green designated bags.
(3) Bottles (Glass Bottles)
Examples:
Beverage and food bottles, condiment bottles
➡️ Remove caps, empty the contents, and rinse with water.
(4) Cans
Examples:
Drink cans, food cans
➡️ Rinse lightly before disposal.
(5) Plastic Containers & Packaging (with プラ symbol)
Examples:
Food trays, packaging, cups, wrappers, Styrofoam
➡️ Look for the “プラ” (plastic recycling) logo.
➡️ Must be washed before disposal.
PET bottles (plastic drink bottles) are collected separately. They must be emptied, labels removed, caps removed, and rinsed.
(6) Paper and Cardboard (Recyclables)
Newspapers, magazines, flyers, paper bags, cartons, cardboard
➡️ Must be bundled with string (preferably paper string).
➡️ Remove any plastic tape, metal, or dirty materials.
(7) Oversized / Bulky Items
Examples:
Furniture, mattresses, bicycles, large appliances
➡️ These cannot be placed in bags and require special collection.
➡️ Contact the city or ask your property manager.
(8) Hazardous / Special Waste
Examples:
Batteries, fluorescent tubes, lighters, gas canisters, spray cans
➡️ Do not place them in regular bags. They require separate disposal.
🛍️ 2. How to Buy the Designated Garbage Bags
Iwakuni City uses official paid garbage bags:
| Color | Use |
|---|---|
| Red | Combustible (burnable) waste |
| Green | Non-combustible / mixed waste |
Where to Buy
You can buy them at:
Supermarkets
Convenience stores (7-Eleven, Lawson, FamilyMart, etc.)
Drugstores and home centers
Sizes
20L, 30L, 45L
➡️ Bags are sold in packs (not individually).
Usage
Fill the bag to a reasonable level (do not overstuff).
Tie the bag tightly before putting it out.
🗓️ 3. When and Where to Put Out Trash
Trash collection days are different for each neighborhood.
Typically, bags must be placed between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM on the collection day.
They must be left at the designated community collection point (usually near your building or at a public corner).
📝 Tip
You will receive a Garbage Collection Calendar from the city or building.
You can also view it online or use Iwakuni’s smartphone app (available in English).
💡 Helpful Tips for U.S. Residents
Always use the city’s official red/green bags.
U.S.-style plastic trash bags will NOT be collected.Rinse bottles, cans, and plastic containers.
If dirty, they may be refused.Do not mix paper, plastics, and trash.
Recycling rules are strict in Japan.Oversized items require special pickup.
Do not leave them beside normal trash.Never put trash out the night before.
Animals (crows, stray cats) may scatter it.
📎 Official Information Sources
🔗 Iwakuni City – Garbage Separation Guide (English PDF)
https://www.city.iwakuni.lg.jp/uploaded/life/102970_620790_misc.pdf
🔗 Iwakuni City Environmental Services Division
(General waste inquiries)
🌍 Enjoy Life in Iwakuni!
Following the rules helps keep your neighborhood clean and prevents uncollected garbage. If you are unsure, please ask your property manager or contact Iwakuni City for guidance.