Today is Wednesday. Garbage day. In Hirakata City, trash must be sorted into 5 different categories. Although this can be a pain, it isn't too bad once you understand the system. The rule book that I received when I moved into SemIV went as far to provide two photos to assist residents with sorting.
The sorting mania has been in part inspired by environmental issues and by also by the mentality of "waste not, want not".
Japan is a country where space is a precious commodity; there is no room for foolishness here, especially in the landfills.
Then there is the other side of the coin. Many fruits in the supermarket are wrapped in a foam mesh, surrounded by a cardboard carton and then wrapped in cellophane. This is then placed inside of another bag once it is purchased. In case of rain, the external bag is covered by a plastic cover. However, I wonder why some of these issues can't be eliminated by reducing the amount of excessive packaging in Japan.
The sorting mania has been in part inspired by environmental issues and by also by the mentality of "waste not, want not".
Japan is a country where space is a precious commodity; there is no room for foolishness here, especially in the landfills.
Then there is the other side of the coin. Many fruits in the supermarket are wrapped in a foam mesh, surrounded by a cardboard carton and then wrapped in cellophane. This is then placed inside of another bag once it is purchased. In case of rain, the external bag is covered by a plastic cover. However, I wonder why some of these issues can't be eliminated by reducing the amount of excessive packaging in Japan.
1 comment:
The politics of trash is an interesting approach. I would like to read more about how it is political.
I posted on this issue a while back:
http://visualanthropologyofjapan.blogspot.com/2008/03/cute-trash-not-enough-tots-for-toys.html
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