Buzz
Upon arriving in Japan, many tourists are puzzled by the scarcity of public trash bins, leaving them uncertain about where to dispose of their waste.
Unraveling the Enigma: Why Japan Has Few Public Trash Bins but Impeccably Clean Streets
Wandering through the streets of Japan, one might be surprised by the absence of public trash bins. The reason behind this unusual sight lies in the Japanese practice of carrying their waste over long distances, a habit that originated from a notorious incident.
Chemical Warfare Unleashed
On March 20, 1995, five individuals affiliated with the Aum Shinrikyo cult released the nerve agent sarin in Tokyo's crowded subway stations during the morning rush hour. The attackers used nylon bags concealed in newspapers to disseminate the colorless and odorless toxic gas.
This attack claimed the lives of 13 and left thousands injured. Previously, the cult executed a similar chemical assault in Matsumoto, Nagano, resulting in 8 fatalities and hundreds wounded.
While the masterminds were apprehended, many Japanese citizens feared a recurrence of the tragedy, urging the government to take action. One security measure implemented to date involves the removal of public trash bins, deemed potential hiding spots for various terrorist weapons.
Consciousness
In general, Japan's streets remain pristine because the inhabitants of the Land of the Rising Sun prefer not to inconvenience others with the task of cleaning up their own mess. Most individuals carry trash bags home for disposal.
Locals claim that in the past, cities were dotted with numerous trash bins, but the streets were even more cluttered. Since the reduction of public bins, the streets have become cleaner.
Japan Info explains this phenomenon with the theory of a broken window: if a house with a broken window remains unrepaired, passersby will assume no one cares or takes responsibility. Gradually, more windows will be broken.
Similarly, when environmental workers fail to clean up, trash bins can overflow, and residents continue to cram more in. The situation worsens on windy days, scattering debris across the streets, with some people unabashedly adding to the litter.
Furthermore, non-governmental organizations set ambitious goals for pristine environments. Greenbird, an organization operating across various Japanese provinces, regularly invites citizens to participate in clean-up efforts in bustling transportation areas such as subway stations. Volunteers not only pick up water bottle caps or fast-food wrappers but meticulously clean every tiny piece of paper and cigarette butt from the streets. This organization even has branches in Singapore and Paris.
The Japanese government implements strategies to reduce waste, encouraging people to use personal handkerchiefs instead of paper towels, despite the increasing prevalence of hand dryers in toilets in major cities. Passive anti-littering campaigns encourage smokers to carry small personal ashtrays, avoiding the scattering of cigarette butts on the streets.
How Tourists Should Dispose of Trash
Despite the scarcity of public trash bins, the land of cherry blossoms has strict regulations on waste disposal. Following the principle, the Japanese will hold onto their trash until they find the designated spot and categorize it into combustible, non-combustible, aluminum cans, glass bottles, and plastic.
A handy tip for tourists searching for public trash bins in Japan is to head to designated points such as ticket gates at subway stations, parks, beside vending machines... Sometimes, bins are placed in front of convenience stores, but these are private property, so tourists should purchase something before discarding trash here, according to Live Japan.
Source: Bảo Ngọc/Vnexpress
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Reference: Travel Guide Mytour
MytourJune 25, 2019
