Trash

Japanese people are obsessed with it. It must be divided properly. It must be disposed of properly. We even had a visit from the caretaker of the building to remind us to put the trash in the proper container properly. Things must be emptied out, cleaned out, flattened out, straightened out until it barely resembles garbage at all. It is a job, this garbage. No longer just a chore. It requires training - perhaps a course is in order.
Here is one of the illustrations I plastered to the top of one of the cans to remind everyone what goes where. Feel free to click on the picture so you can get an idea of what we are in for. This is for Combustibles. There are equally detailed intsructions for Recyclibles, Non-Conbustibles and PET bottles (extra special plastic bottles that get their own section). Notice the detail about diapers - the "muck" must be removed from them (is this not also combustible? - perhaps the garbage men don't think so) before being placed in the combustible bin.

To make matters worse, if there are things that are too big for the garbage (the pieces of crib for example that will have to be discarded if we can't get the missing pieces replaced), we will have to buy a ticket at the convenience store and attach it to the pieces before we put it out to be taken. Yes, we will have to pay to have it removed.

It is not just at home. We went to McDonald's yesterday. It was Jed's reward for allowing himself to be dragged along as we went sofa shopping and even there, we had to take the plastic covers off the soda cups and put them in the combustible trash, while the other paper things went in combustible trash.

I am a little concerned about what to do with Tess's contribution to the sidewalks of Tokyo. I usually pick this up with a plastic bag. According to Tokyo's garbage laws, I will have to separate the bag from the "you know what". Besides the fact there are no garbage cans on the streets of Tokyo. Exactly what do you do when you are not within walking distance from your house? I've been trying to watch other dog owners, but I have yet to see a dog relieve him/herself in any way on the street. I see people with little bags, but I have never seen anyone use them. Does everyone use wee wee pads and dispose of the "muck" in their own home?

Stay tuned...............