How to get rid of your "too big" trash in Japan

Living in Japan has seen me become even more minimalist in my possessions, given that storage space is significantly limited here than in previous places we've lived. I don't like feeling overwhelmed with clutter, so I find myself going through stuff to keep or toss on a regular basis.

Sometimes though, the stuff that needs to be tossed isn't easy to get rid of. Recently while I was on a sorting-spree, I needed to toss things that didn't fit into the prescribed trash bag categories, and in some cases those items weren't even a size that would fit into the trash bags. I asked around, and was advised that the best place to get rid of things like this was via the local eco plant.

What is locally called the Eco Plant is what we'd refer to in Australia as the tip or the rubbish dump. It's where all the garbage trucks in the area go to drop off the trash anyway, but here at the Uonuma Eco Plant you have two separate options for getting rid of your too-big stuff. 

Call them and have a pick-up arranged

The Uonuma Eco Plant allows local residents for the option to have a pick-up of their trash items that don't fit the size or type requirements to go out with regular trash collection. You're required to call a local number (025-792-9900) between 8 am and 5 pm to schedule a collection date, and pick ups take place twice a month. 

Head directly to the eco-plant

Since we live about 15 minutes drive from the eco-plant and didn't want to wait for a collection date, we decided to just drive over there on the advice of our neighbor. It's an interesting process that involves you going through a drive-thru! We had to drive into the plant premises (down a ramp and into the inner workings of the facility!) and had to communicate initially through a speaker to advise the employee what we were trying to get rid of. Once they've established that you're not dropping off anything dangerous, you'll be instructed to drive a little further into the facility where some workers will take a look at everything to assess the size and weight of your items. This is to ascertain how much you need to pay for disposal. Pay the required amount and you're clutter free and on your way!

Things you're out of luck for

Even though there are plenty of things you're able to dispose of at the Uonuma Eco Plant, it's worth bearing in mind that there are certain things that they won't accept. If you have any of the following items on the graphic below, you're instructed to either reach out to the original store you purchased the goods from for advice on how to get rid of them, or to contact a specialized agency that looks after the disposal of those relevant goods.

For Uonuma residents, directions to the Eco Plant are below.