How is garbage sorted in Japan?

Japanese households sort trash into broad categories — typically burnable (moeru gomi), non-burnable (moenai gomi), recyclables (bottles, cans, PET bottles), and oversized garbage (sodai gomi). The exact category names, collection days, and whether a designated bag is required are set by each municipality under the Waste Management and Public Cleansing Act, so rules vary from one city to the next. Recyclables are usually rinsed with labels and caps removed, spray cans are punctured, and batteries go out on a separate day or container. Sort something wrong and it's typically left uncollected with a warning sticker, so check your municipality's own sorting calendar when you move.