Daily Life Lessons · Garbage
Learn about sorting mistakes that easily cause fires, such as with products containing lithium-ion batteries and spray cans, and be able to put out garbage safely after checking how your municipality wants it done.
Some sorting mistakes are dangerous because they can cause fires.
One of the most common is putting products that contain lithium-ion batteries (such as power banks, smartphones and heated tobacco devices) into burnable or non-burnable garbage. Strong force in garbage trucks or treatment facilities makes them catch fire, and fires are actually happening. Dispose of batteries according to your municipality's instructions or use collection boxes at places such as electronics stores. Cover the terminals with tape to insulate them, and do not put swollen or damaged batteries in collection boxes; ask your municipality instead.
Always use up the contents of spray cans and portable gas cartridges. Many municipalities ask you not to puncture them. The collection day and how to bag them differ by municipality.
If you are unsure, look the item up in your municipality's item-by-item sorting list or app.
まちがえると、火事（かじ）に なる ごみが あります。
リチウムイオン電池（でんち）が 入った 物： - モバイルバッテリー、スマートフォン、加熱式（かねつしき）たばこ など - もえる ごみ・もえない ごみに 入れないで ください。 - 市の ルールで 出すか、お店の 回収（かいしゅう）ボックスに 入れます。 - 電池の はしに テープを はります。 - ふくらんだ 電池は、市に 聞いて ください。
スプレー缶（かん）・カセットボンベ： - 中身を ぜんぶ 使って から 出します。 - 穴（あな）を あけない 市が 多いです。
わからない ときは、市の ホームページや アプリで しらべましょう。
Which is correct when throwing away a power bank?
If lithium-ion batteries are mixed into garbage, they may catch fire in garbage trucks or treatment facilities. Follow your municipality's instructions or use a collection box.
What should you do before putting a lithium-ion battery in a collection box?
Insulate the terminals with tape so that they do not touch each other and short-circuit.
What should you do with a swollen power bank?
Swollen or damaged batteries are not accepted by many collection boxes. Ask your municipality how to dispose of them.
What must you always do before putting out a spray can?
If contents remain, they can cause fires in garbage trucks and elsewhere. Use them up outdoors, away from any fire. Many municipalities ask you not to puncture the cans.
What should you do if you don't know how to sort an item?
Sorting rules differ by municipality. Check the item-by-item list, the app, or the garbage calendar (ごみカレンダー).
Q. Are heated tobacco devices and wireless earphones also dangerous?
A. These often contain lithium-ion batteries too, and they may catch fire if mixed into garbage. Check how to dispose of them in the instruction manual and your municipality's guidance.
Q. What should I do with a spray can that still has contents inside?
A. Empty it completely outdoors in a well-ventilated place away from any fire. If you really cannot empty it, contact your municipality or the manufacturer's customer service.
Q. Can I put dry-cell batteries in the same collection box?
A. Collection boxes for rechargeable batteries at electronics stores and similar places often do not accept dry-cell batteries, button batteries and the like. Check your municipality's guidance on how to dispose of dry-cell batteries.
This practice tool asks questions in random order (it works when JavaScript is enabled). You can still read all the questions and explanations above without it.
Systems and procedures may differ depending on the city, ward, town or village where you live and on the time of year. Please check the latest information from your local government or the relevant organizations.
Content checked on: 2026-10-03
This page is a translation of the Japanese original. If the translation and the original differ, the Japanese version takes precedence. View the Japanese original