Tokai City’s Eco-Friendly Policy: Free Trash Bags for All Residents

When choosing where to live in the Nagoya area, most people compare cost of living, convenience, and public services. But Tokai City offers one unique benefit that many newcomers don’t know about:

👉 Residents don’t have to buy garbage bags.
If you have your resident registration (juminhyo) in Tokai City, the city gives every household a full year’s worth of official garbage bags for free every October.

This is something not seen in Nagoya City or many other municipalities, where residents must buy official garbage bags at convenience stores or supermarkets.

What You Receive for Free Each Year

Every household receives a set of official waste-disposal materials:

• Combustible waste bags
• Non-combustible waste bags
• Recycling bags
• Oversized garbage stickers

Thanks to this system, you don’t have to spend money on garbage bags and don’t need to go to stores to buy them.

This policy is rooted in Tokai City’s belief that reducing waste is essential for a sustainable society, aligned with the SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals).

If You Need Extra Bags

While the annual supply is usually enough, additional bags are available but intentionally priced high to encourage waste reduction:

• 120 yen per bag (tax included) for combustible or non-combustible waste

Personally, I’ve never had to buy extra bags, and I believe many residents are actively trying to reduce their waste to meet the annual allocation.

How to Dispose of Garbage in Tokai City — Simple Rules for New Residents

Tokai City has a clear waste management system. Here’s an easy guide for newcomers, including foreigners living in the area.

1. Separate Your Waste by Category

① Combustible Waste (Burnable)

• Food scraps
• Paper waste
• Dirty plastics
• Small wood items

→ Use white with blue letters Tokai City bags

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② Non-combustible Waste (Non-burnable)

• Ceramics
• Glass
• Metal
• Small appliances

→ Use blue with green letters Tokai City bags

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③ Recyclables

Separated further into:

• PET bottles (rinse, remove caps/labels)
• Cans and glass bottles
• Paper/cardboard
• Plastic containers & packaging

→ Use transparent recycling bags

④ Oversized Waste (Bulky Waste)

• Furniture
• Bedding
• Large items

→ Attach oversized-waste sticker
→ Collection requires reservation

2. Check Your Local Collection Schedule

Every neighborhood has a different pickup schedule.
Check the:

• Annual Garbage Collection Calendar (paper leaflet)
• Tokai City website
• Tokai City smartphone app

Putting trash out on the wrong day is one of the most common mistakes newcomers make.

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3. Take Out Garbage in the Morning (Not the Night Before)

Trash must be placed at the designated collection point:

• On the morning of collection day
• Before 8:30 AM

If you put it out the night before:

• Crows may tear the bags
• It attracts pests
• Neighbors may complain

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4. Use the Correct Garbage Station

Your trash must be placed at your neighborhood’s designated garbage collection area.

• Do not leave trash in front of your house
• Do not use another neighborhood’s collection point
• Bags must be securely tied and not overfilled

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5. Clean Recyclables Before Disposal

To support high recycling quality:

• Rinse cans, bottles, PET bottles
• Remove labels/caps
• Flatten cardboard and PET bottles

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6. Special Items (batteries, spray cans, hazardous waste)

• Batteries → Collected at special drop boxes
• Spray cans → Must be empty; sometimes placed with non-combustible
• Light bulbs/mercury items → Follow special handling

Never mix them into combustible trash.

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Why Tokai City’s System Is So Effective

Tokai City’s approach succeeds because:

• Residents receive the tools they need
• Waste is reduced naturally
• The community works together
• The policy supports a sustainable lifestyle

And best of all, it makes daily life easier and cheaper.

Tokai City’s Strong Commitment to Composting

Tokai City is also putting great effort into promoting composting, another important step toward reducing household waste. The city not only provides financial support for purchasing compost bins, but also offers bokashi (fermentation starter) for free at several convenient locations throughout the city—such as City Hall, the Citizen Gymnasium, and Shuraku-en Park.

Tokai City has built an excellent system that makes composting accessible for everyone. With support and free resources readily available, there’s really no reason not to take advantage of it!
It’s a simple way for all of us to reduce waste, enrich our soil, and contribute to a more sustainable community.