Why Are There No Trash Cans in Japan? There Are a Few Reasons

Brilliant or just pure rubbish? Here's why there are no trash cans in Japan.

Jun. 11 2024, Published 5:10 p.m. ET

If you embark on a trip to Japan, you might be certain to see peculiar issues, similar to bright lights, vending machines upon merchandising machines, and one of the very best delicacies.

But one thing you won’t see? Trash cans. It’s a stark distinction to Western cultures, such because the United States, Australia, and Canada. There, you'll in finding rubbish can galore in high-traffic puts, such as on the street, in stores, at public transportation stops, and in toilets.

So, why are there no trash cans in Japan? We’ve were given the answer you’ve bin looking forward to.

Reason #1: It’s a cultural norm.

Despite the loss of rubbish cans, the streets in Japan are recognized for being clean. The explanation why that is possible is deeply rooted in society. It’s a cultural norm for folks in Japan to lift round their rubbish with them and discard it after they get again home.

This even comprises dog poop. According to the Washington Post, dog house owners in Japan put off canine poop in their bogs.

“Dog owners have to take dog waste house and flush it down the toilet: A paper bag within a plastic bag makes that an more uncomplicated prospect,” the article read. “But embark on a road trip and you have got a problem. For that, you wish to have a poop bag connected to a magnet, so you can stick it at the out of doors of your car on the manner home.”

Reason #2: Garbage cans changed into a safety concern in 1995.

The loss of rubbish cans in Japan is nothing new. It has ties that date again to 1995 after the sarin gas attack. During this deadly attack, Aum Shinrikyo cult members released deadly fuel on subway trains. As a security precaution, the Tokyo subway system removed garbage cans so they may no longer be used to conceal bad items.

Reason #3: Garbage cans cost so much to deal with.

Japan’s inhabitants is estimated to be 125.1 million people. That’s a lot of people and, consequently, numerous garbage. This quantity doesn’t even issue in the choice of tourists who seek advice from the country each yr. As a result, it reportedly became too expensive to deal with public rubbish cans and keep them blank.

If you plan to visit Japan, the loss of trash cans is bound to be an adjustment. In a TikTok video, consumer Yoni Kintzer (@yonikintzer) warned attainable guests so that they wouldn’t be shocked.

"There are no trash cans, like anywhere,” he stated. One of the exceptions, he says, is that some vending machines have places to discard trash, such as bottles.

Post-Covid, the number of tourists in Japan has dramatically increased. Some cities have begun installing garbage cans in public places to prevent trash from littering the streets. These "smart" garbage cans have instructions available in various languages.

ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pbXSramam6Ses7p6wqikaKhfrLW6ecCrnGasmJq%2FpnnNqGStqpGotW6vwKeqZqGeYreivMCn