Quick Answer: In Japan, air conditioners, TVs, refrigerators/freezers, and washing machines/clothes dryers (the āfour designated itemsā under the Home Appliance Recycling Law) cannot go out as regular trash or municipal sodai gomi. You must use an authorized routeāusually the retailer where you bought the unit, a municipality-listed cooperative store, or self delivery to a designated collection site after buying a recycling ticket (often at Japan Post). Expect two separate charges: a recycling fee and a collection/transport fee. Amounts vary by maker, size class, and routeāconfirm before you move the unit.
If you are new to Japanās waste system, start with Japanās Garbage Sorting System for everyday trash and sodai gomi (oversized municipal pickup). This guide focuses only on the four designated appliances.
What is the difference between sodai gomi and appliance recycling?
Sodai gomi (ē²å¤§ććæ) is your municipalityās oversized-trash systemāfurniture, mattresses, bicycles, and many bulky items that are not covered by the Home Appliance Recycling Law.
The Home Appliance Recycling Law applies to four item types only:
- Air conditioners (room units; outdoor units are handled with the set in typical home disposal)
- Televisions
- Refrigerators and freezers (including many mini fridges when they are household refrigerator-type units)
- Washing machines and clothes dryers
š Do not assume a large item is sodai gomi just because it is heavy. A TV left on the curb without the proper ticket and route is a common mistake among newcomers.
For small electronics (phones, kettles, etc.), Japanās small home appliance recycling system is separate. This series covers the four designated items only. A companion Appliance Recycling Terms for Foreigners glossary article is planned for this series.
Who is responsible for what?
Under the lawās basic framework:
- Consumers pay recycling fees and arrange proper handover
- Retailers that sell designated items must take back old units on delivery (with exceptions and practical limits)
- Manufacturers/importers recycle materials from collected units
You are not expected to memorize the legal rolesāwhat matters is choosing a legal route before moving day.
Which appliances are coveredāand which are not?
The four designated categories
- Examples usually covered
- Room AC, typical home split systems
- Often not covered here
- Industrial HVAC, some commercial-only units
- Examples usually covered
- LCD, OLED, CRT household TVs
- Often not covered here
- Commercial signage displays
- Examples usually covered
- Full-size and many mini fridges
- Often not covered here
- Some commercial coolers; confirm if labeled for business use
- Examples usually covered
- Home washing machines, drum units, household dryers
- Often not covered here
- Coin laundry equipment, industrial machines
| Category | Examples usually covered | Often not covered here |
|---|---|---|
| Air conditioner | Room AC, typical home split systems | Industrial HVAC, some commercial-only units |
| TV | LCD, OLED, CRT household TVs | Commercial signage displays |
| Refrigerator / freezer | Full-size and many mini fridges | Some commercial coolers; confirm if labeled for business use |
| Washer / dryer | Home washing machines, drum units, household dryers | Coin laundry equipment, industrial machines |
Home vs. business use matters. If the label, manual, or sales category indicates business/commercial equipment, treatment may differ. When unsure, check the nameplate (éęæ)ā and ask the collection site or your municipality before hauling.
Mini-fridge? It may still count as a refrigerator
A compact or mini fridge is not automatically sodai gomi just because it is small. Many household mini fridges are treated as refrigerators under the four designated items, not municipal oversized trash.
š Do not assume size = sodai gomi. Check your city/ward page and the RKC target items list if the unit might be business/commercial equipment.
What are your main disposal routes?
Think in three branchesāthen open the detailed article that matches your case.
Route A: You know the store where it was purchased (and it is still practical)
When you buy a replacement, the retailer often collects the old unit on delivery. If you are not buying a replacement but the store is nearby and still operating, call and ask whether they accept take-back for that model.
Route B: Post office ticket + self delivery (good if you have a car)
Pay for a recycling ticket at Japan Post or Yucho Bank, fill in maker/model/size class, then bring the unit to a designated collection site. Step-by-step: Post Office Appliance Recycling Tickets.
Route C: You do not know the storeāor it is far away or closed
This is the most common foreign-resident scenario (secondhand purchase, gift, previous tenantās leftover). Your municipalityās official page is the starting pointānot a random blog or Reddit thread. See Unknown Store? Disposal Routes.
š Cooperative stores (åååŗ)ā exist in many areas but lists and names are municipality-specific. There is no single nationwide ācall this shop and you are doneā number.
What will it cost?
You will usually see two kinds of fees:
- Recycling fee (ćŖćµć¤ćÆć«ęé) ā set by manufacturer/importer tables for the four items
- Collection/transport fee (åééę¬ęé) ā charged by the store, cooperative shop, or hauler that picks up or receives the unit
Why one person paid Ā„3,500 and another was quoted over Ā„10,000
Totals vary because recycling fee + collection/transport depend on several factorsānot one national price:
- Why it changes the bill
- TV vs fridge vs washer use different fee tables
- Why it changes the bill
- Recycling fee is set per maker and capacity/screen class
- Why it changes the bill
- You pay transport only when someone collects from your home
- Why it changes the bill
- Upper floors without an elevator often add carry fees
- Why it changes the bill
- Retailer, cooperative shop, or licensed hauler quotes differ
- Why it changes the bill
- End-of-month rushes and local shop availability affect quotes
| Factor | Why it changes the bill |
|---|---|
| Item type | TV vs fridge vs washer use different fee tables |
| Manufacturer & size class | Recycling fee is set per maker and capacity/screen class |
| Self haul vs pickup | You pay transport only when someone collects from your home |
| Stairs / access | Upper floors without an elevator often add carry fees |
| Who you hire | Retailer, cooperative shop, or licensed hauler quotes differ |
| Region & timing | End-of-month rushes and local shop availability affect quotes |
Do not treat any single payment story as the national standard. A contributor to this site once paid Ā„9,020 total after a failed self-haul attempt with a disassembled TVābut that was one case, not a price list. For what went wrong, see Before You Take Apart a TV (companion article, planned).
Check current amounts on the Appliance Recycling Ticket Center (RKC) fee search and with the site or shop you plan to use.
Do you need a car?
- Typical approach
- Self delivery to a designated site after buying a ticket is often the lowest service costāif you can handle loading safely
- Typical approach
- Ask a cooperative store or licensed collector for pickup and transport; fees vary
- Typical approach
- Prioritize the four items firstāsee Moving-Out Disposal Timeline (companion article)
| Situation | Typical approach |
|---|---|
| Have a car / can rent a van | Self delivery to a designated site after buying a ticket is often the lowest service costāif you can handle loading safely |
| No car | Ask a cooperative store or licensed collector for pickup and transport; fees vary |
| Moving soon | Prioritize the four items firstāsee Moving-Out Disposal Timeline (companion article) |
Common mistakes (and where to read more)
- Treating a TV or fridge like sodai gomi ā municipal pickup rules do not replace appliance recycling law
- Disassembling before confirming ā can make ID labels hard to read and complicate acceptance; see disassembly caution guide (companion article)
- Using āfree pickupā trucks or random online ads without checking licenses ā see Unauthorized Collectors: How to Check (companion article)
- Waiting until the day before move-out ā transport booking and ticket purchase need lead time
Frequently asked questions
Can I put a mini fridge out with sodai gomi?
Often no if it is a household refrigerator-type unit covered under the four items. Many municipalities treat mini fridges as appliance recycling, not sodai gomi. Confirm on your city/ward page before sticker payment or curbside placement.
How is this different from small electronics recycling?
Small items (phones, rice cookers, etc.) use small home appliance recycling collection boxes in many areas. TVs and fridges are not in that bucket. The Ministry of the Environment explains both systems separately.
What if I only speak English?
Official counter guidance is often Japanese-only, especially at post offices and local shops. Prepare maker, model number, and size class on paper, and use phrase lists in the route-specific articles. Do not assume English service at every location.
Where do I look up fees and drop-off sites?
- RKC: Consumer information, designated collection site search
- AEHA: Choose how to discard in 3 seconds (Japanese)
What to do next
- Identify your item (maker, model, size class from the nameplate)
- Decide: known store, post office + self haul, or unknown store / no car
- Open the matching guide:
- Keep maker, model, and size class notes handy for vocabulary while you call shops
Sources
- Ministry of the Environment ā Home Appliance Recycling Law overview (four items) (verified 2026-07-04) ā legal scope and consumer role
- Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry ā Home appliance recycling portal (verified 2026-07-04) ā policy overview and consumer guidance links
- Appliance Recycling Ticket Center (RKC) ā For consumers (verified 2026-07-04) ā tickets, fees, and collection sites
- Association for Electric Home Appliances (AEHA) ā Consumer disposal guide (verified 2026-07-04) ā route selection overview