Separating Plastic Containers/Packaging for Recycling
Starting in January 2022, Minamisoma will begin collecting plastic used for containers and packaging as its own category rather than grouping it with burnable trash.
We ask for your cooperation in reduction of waste and effective use of the earth’s limited resources.
Plastic Collection Days
| Ward | Collection Couse | Collection Day (Weekly) |
|---|---|---|
| Odaka | East (東) | Thursday |
| West (西) | Friday | |
| Kashima | Kashima/Mano (鹿島・真野) | Friday |
| Yasawa/Kamimano (八沢・上真野) | Thursday | |
| Haramachi | North (北) | Monday |
| South (南) | Tuesday |
Please consult the “Trash Collection Calendars” or the Minamisoma Trash Sorting App” pages for more information.
What Plastic Will be Collected?
Plastic with the plastic recycle mark (see right image)
Besides for exceptions such as some types of package cushioning, all plastic materials with the “プラ” mark (see right image) on them can be collected as plastic containers/packaging.
What Trash Bags to Use
Please use transparent or semitransparent trash bags that hold 45 liters or less.
Please note there are no designated bags.
Note: Write your trash number on your bag.
Note: Do not use the city designated burnable/nonburnable bags for plastic materials.
Collection Points
Please put your plastic out at the same collection site as for your other trash. The collection day for plastic differs depending on your address, so please check the trash collection calendars.
How to Dispose of Plastic
If there are food particles or remnants on your plastic, please wash them off first.
Dispose of the following items in your burnable trash
- Items that are not easily washed clean (e.g. ready-made curry packs, tube products, oil)
- Items that you are not sure qualify for the plastic category
What are Plastic Containers and Packaging?
Containers or packaging made from plastic with the “プラ” plastic recycle mark on them (see photos below).
If you cannot find the “プラ” mark or if you are not sure, please throw it away in your burnable trash.
Types of Plastic Containers and Packaging
Bags, wrappers, and films
- Shopping bags, bags for clothing, refillable detergent, etc.
- Candy/rice/vegetable/bread bags, etc.
- Instant/frozen food bags, etc.
- Caps/labels of PET bottles, etc.
- Film/wrap used for perishable foods, etc.
- Bento chopstick/spoon packaging, etc.
- Outer film of cigarette boxes, etc.
Note: Please peel off as much of the price label stickers as you can. (It’s okay if there is some left on the package.)
Plastic bottles
- Shampoo/rinse/conditioner bottles, detergent containers, etc.
- Containers for cooking oil, condiments, milk drink, etc.
- Containers for mouthwash, eye drops, cosmetics, etc.
Note: Dispose of PET bottles the same as before.
Note: Take off lids/caps before disposing.
Trays
- Fruit trays, etc.
- Side dish/perishable food trays, etc., that are colored
- Candy/curry roux trays, etc.
- Sashimi/take-out sushi trays, etc.
Note: Dispose of white trays the same as before.
Trays
- Egg/fruit/ham/tofu packs, etc.
- Take-out bento packs, etc.
Plastic cups
- Containers for instant ramen, pudding, jelly, etc.
- Instant food containers, etc.
Packaging, etc.
- Styrofoam packaging, etc.
- Styrofoam cooler boxes
- Nets wrapped around apples, peaches, etc.
- Nets for mandarins, onions, etc.
- Containers/packaging for medicine (pills/capsules), etc.
Note: Break apart large items before disposing.
Items that Will Not be Collected as Plastic Containers/Packaging
The following items will not be collected as plastic containers/packaging. Please dispose of them in your burnable trash.
Merchandise itself (items sold in stores)
Used lighters, videotapes, wash basins, buckets, toothbrushes, ballpoint pens, airtight storage containers, rubber hoses, sponges, toys, hangers, tableware, cooler boxes, etc.
⇒Put lighters in transparent bags and out with unburnable trash
⇒Put everything else with burnable trash
Note: Items that cannot fit in the designated trash bags are to be disposed of as bulky items
Containers/packaging of items that are not merchandise
E.g. dry cleaning bags
⇒Put with burnable trash
Items that are still usable after removing their contents, or parts of the merchandise
CD cases, musical instrument cases, camera cases, etc.
⇒Put with burnable trash
Item accessories
Drink pack straws, bento spoons, detergent measuring cups, etc.
⇒Put with burnable trash
Note: However, plastic bags that hold these accessories can be recycled.
Items that cannot be cleaned
Tubes of mayonnaise, ketchup, wasabi paste, toothpaste, etc., small packets of soy sauce, soup, etc.
⇒Put with burnable trash
PET bottles, white trays
These are recycled separately.
⇒Follow your ward’s collection rules.
FAQs
Q. Why are we separating out plastic containers and packaging?
A. A large portion of the trash put out by households is made up of containers and packaging. We are going to recycle plastic containers and packaging in order to reduce waste and more effectively use this limited resource.
The “Container and Packaging Recycle Law” stipulates that users, municipalities, and companies all have a role to play in recycling this resource.
Q. How much washing is enough?
A. If the food item is not oil-based, you can just rinse off any spots or wipe it down with a cloth or paper towel. Containers/packaging that still contain leftover food or oil stains cannot be recycled.
If dirty plastic is put in with clean plastic it could make the whole batch dirty and unrecyclable, so please wash your plastic until there is no more oil content on it. For items that cannot be washed, or if washing them becomes a major burden, put them in burnable trash.
Q. 45-liter bags are too big for me to use. What should I do?
A. As long as the bag is transparent or semitransparent, you can use 30-liter or 20-liter bags instead. Plastic thrown away in a plastic bag that has the plastic mark on it itself are more easily processed, so please use recyclable plastic bags if possible.
Please do not use the city-designated bags for burnable and nonburnable trash.
Q. Is it okay to collect my plastic in small shopping bags, and put those bags in a large trash bag?
A. This will create more work for the people checking the plastics, so please avoid it if possible.
Q. What should I do with labels and price tags?
A. Please remove them. It is okay if stickers do not come off entirely. ( The plastic can still be recycled.)
Q. What is the plastic being recycled into?
A. It is being recycled into items such as stakes, fake trees, and gardening supplies.
Related Information
Plastic Recycling Leaflet 1 (PDFファイル: 548.0KB)
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更新日：2021年12月16日