Proper Garbage

The tenants in our apartment building often get reminded to put out the garbage properly. Here on Okinawa, recycling is a big deal and the way the garbage is distributed reflects this. Apparently, many Americans have trouble figuring out the system or are too lazy to adhere to it. Here some of the many posters we see each day in the elevator that explain the garbage process.

When it's time for Noa and I to empty the garbage, it's a big undertaking. First we tie up the "regular" garbage bag. The we have to bag all the recyclable items in separate, clear bags: cans in one bag, bottles in another, glass in another, etc. Boxes have to be cut up and tied together. Old clothes, towels, or other cloth also gets tied up as well as paper and magazines. Any large items have to be picked up separately and we are then charged a fee. Broken glass and hazardous materials have to be wrapped up and labeled "dangerous." Then we take all the bags and tied up items, bring them downstairs, outside and place them into 2 different bins: combustible or noncombustible.

It takes a lot to keep the villege* happy.

*Notice that the first one says, "Let's create comfortable villege together." The Engrish still cracks me up every time I get on the elevator.