Cardboard, newspaper, and paper: how to bundle and sort
Paper recycling in Japan rewards a little tidiness. Loose paper blows around and gets rejected, so the system runs on flattening and tying. Here is how each type goes out.
Cardboard
Break boxes down flat. Stack them, then tie the stack with twine or paper tape into a bundle you can carry. Pull off any heavy plastic tape and styrofoam first. Put the bundle out on your paper or recycling day.
Newspaper and flyers
Stack newspapers with the inserts, square them up, and tie them in a cross with twine. Many areas collect newspaper separately from cardboard and from magazines, so keep the piles apart.
Magazines, books, and mixed paper
Magazines and books go in their own tied bundle. Smaller mixed paper, like envelopes, notebooks, and packaging card, often goes in a paper bag that you then tie or tape shut so nothing escapes.
What does not count
Paper that is dirty, waxy, or laminated usually is not recyclable. Used tissues, oily pizza boxes, paper cups, and thermal receipts go in burnable instead.
Twine is the quiet hero here. A roll from any hundred-yen shop covers months of bundles and keeps your paper from being left on the curb.
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