Our Mission
Japan has one of the world’s most sophisticated waste management systems. The Ministry of the Environment reports that Japan generates approximately 41.7 million tonnes of general waste per year (FY2021), managed across 1,741 municipalities — each with its own sorting categories, collection days, and bag requirements. For residents, expats, international students, and even long-time locals, it’s genuinely confusing.
GomiMate exists to remove that confusion entirely. We believe that knowing when and how to sort your garbage shouldn’t require memorising a multi-page pamphlet or risking a rejection sticker on your bin bag.
GomiMate by the numbers
Japan’s Waste System: Why It’s Uniquely Complex
Japan’s household waste separation system is among the strictest and most varied in the world. According to the Ministry of the Environment (環境省), Japan incinerates approximately 80% of its general household waste at more than 1,050 incineration facilities — the highest number per capita of any country globally. The remaining waste goes to landfill, which as of FY2021 had an estimated remaining capacity of approximately 21.4 years.
For recyclable materials, Japan achieves exceptional rates: the Japan Aluminum Can Recyclers Association reports a recycling rate of approximately 97% for aluminum cans, and the PET Bottle Recycling Promotion Council recorded an 87% recycling rate for PET bottles in FY2022 — among the highest in the world.
Japan’s modern waste management framework dates to the 廃棄物の処理及び清掃に関する法律 (Waste Management and Public Cleansing Law), originally enacted in 1970. Since 2000, Japan’s total waste generation has decreased by over 25% as a result of the 3R policy (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle). Japan has approximately 3.2 million foreign residents (Ministry of Justice, 2023) who must navigate these rules, many without prior knowledge of the Japanese waste system.
The complexity multiplies across municipalities. Yokohama — Japan’s second-largest city — divides household waste into 10 categories. Nagoya’s landmark 2000s waste reform, driven by a landfill crisis, produced one of Japan’s most effective recycling regimes. Tokyo’s 23 wards each operate independently, with the same item classified differently in neighbouring wards.
For the full breakdown of Japan’s 5 waste categories, collection rules, and municipality-by-municipality differences, see our Japan Garbage Sorting Guide →
The Story
GomiMate started as a personal project. Our founder moved to Tokyo and within the first week received a rejection sticker on a trash bag — because it contained a PET bottle that should have gone out on a different day, in a different bag.
After the third rejection sticker, a simple app was built to track the schedule. Friends and neighbours asked for it. It was shared. Within six months, it had spread to several Tokyo wards purely by word of mouth.
Today GomiMate covers over 100 municipalities across Japan and is in private beta with residents across the country — from first-week expats navigating Japanese bureaucracy to long-time locals who just want a reminder.
We’re a small, independent team based in Tokyo. We are not backed by venture capital. We don’t run ads. We don’t sell your data. GomiMate grows because it is genuinely useful.
What we stand for
Inclusive by design
Japan is home to 3.2 million+ foreign residents (Ministry of Justice, 2023). GomiMate is built for everyone — English and Japanese speakers — with no assumption of prior knowledge of Japanese waste rules.
Hyper-local accuracy
Collection schedules differ not just by city, but by block. We source data directly from ward open datasets and update schedules weekly so the information you see is always current for your exact address.
Privacy first
We collect only what we need to deliver the service. No ads, no data selling, no tracking beyond what is necessary. See our Privacy Policy for the full picture.
Ready to never miss trash day?
Be among the first to simplify your garbage routine with GomiMate. Currently in private beta — join the waitlist for early access.
