Workers collecting garbage at the collection point

 Tokyo’s 23 wards have begun discussions on introducing paid household garbage collection, a system already adopted by about 70% of municipalities nationwide. The Tokyo Metropolitan Government, which manages the landfill sites, is also pushing for the change. The leading proposal envisions charging 1 yen per liter for designated garbage bags and implementing the system simultaneously across all wards from fiscal 2037. However, with local elections approaching next year, some wards remain cautious due to concerns over higher costs and resident backlash.

On the morning of the 17th in Shinjuku’s Hyakunincho district, collection trucks arrived to pick up large piles of garbage bags. The area has many foreign residents, restaurants serving international cuisine, and lodging facilities. Despite it being a burnable‑waste day, bags containing cans and PET bottles were found. A supervisor at the Kabukicho Cleaning Center said, “Insufficient sorting increases the volume. We provide multilingual guidance, but it’s hard to get people to follow it.”

The 23 wards collect about 1.6 million tons of waste annually (FY2024). After incineration, the residue is sent to Tokyo Bay landfill sites, which are expected to reach capacity in about 50 years. Governor Yuriko Koike urged the wards in January to consider paid collection as part of resource‑circulation efforts.

The council of ward mayors estimated that charging 1 yen per liter could reduce waste by around 10%, based on other municipalities’ experiences. Katsushika Ward Mayor Katsunori Aoki said in February, “It’s an effective measure and should be actively considered.”

Massive Additional Costs

To prevent rule violations, the mayors’ council is considering shifting to door‑to‑door collection, which would require increasing staff and trucks by 50%, costing an additional 22 billion yen per year. If wards introduce the system at different times, “cross‑border dumping” from free‑collection wards could occur, so unified timing is seen as essential.

On the 19th, an expert committee released a report recommending early implementation.

Political Hesitation Ahead of Elections

Ward mayors are divided. Seven mayors expressed support, saying waste reduction is essential and that paid collection promotes fairness. However, 12 mayors answered “undecided,” citing concerns about imposing new burdens on residents and rising administrative costs. Some avoided stating a position.

Eighteen of the 23 wards will hold mayoral elections between this year and next. One mayor who withheld a clear stance said, “Honestly, I support it, but paid collection is unpopular. Some mayors want to avoid having ‘free garbage collection’ become an election issue.”

Atsushi Aoyama, former Tokyo vice‑governor and member of the expert committee, commented: “Each ward has different circumstances—foreign‑resident ratios, business districts, household waste volume. If consensus takes time, some wards should consider introducing the system first.”

Nationwide Context

According to the Environment Ministry, 1,169 municipalities—about 70% of Japan’s total—had introduced paid household waste collection by FY2023. In Tokyo’s 30 cities and towns (excluding the 23 wards and islands), only Hinohara Village still offers free collection.

Hachioji City introduced paid collection in 2004 after more than 1,700 resident briefings. Its waste volume in FY2024 is two‑thirds of pre‑introduction levels. Kyoto City, which began in 2006, does not offer door‑to‑door collection except for certain residents. Bags that violate rules are left uncollected with warning stickers. Waste volume dropped from 820,000 tons (FY2000) to 370,000 tons (FY2024), and the city reports no major issues.