Plastic, cans, glass, papers. On the surface, sorting trash into these four categories might seem sufficient. However, in Japan, this process is far more intricate, involving not just fines but also a societal stigma symbolized by red stickers of shame.
Japan faces significant geographical constraints, lacking ample space for expansive landfills. Concurrently, incineration remains too costly for nationwide implementation. To address these challenges, several Japanese cities have expanded their garbage sorting system to an impressive 34 categories, promoting recycling and minimizing waste.
Despite the overwhelming number of categories, garbage sorting in Japan has become a widely practiced civic duty. While the law mandates fines for repeated violations of sorting rules, the red stickers of shame play a crucial role in encouraging compliance, subtly nudging residents to adhere to the country's stringent waste management protocols.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
