Post 6: Cleaning Up and Organizing

Timer Set: 30 Min.

Yesterday was a bit of a rainy day day. Though I did get to go out during a dry spell. It was chillier than normal.

I decided to get some of the tasks I was dreading done, namely calling places. I called the Salvation Army for a pick up and the vet which is also a cat pet hotel to change the time of drop off for the Switzerland trip and adding in a couple days for when Aki is here. YAY!

This is what I learned about the Salvation Army and recycling in general in Japan.

On Recycling: Basic recycling is very clear here as in “Burnable” and “Non-Burnable”. However, I am not clear where a plastic wrapper goes. Because while it is technically burnable, it’s probably a better idea not to burn it, though I see plastic wrappers in both bins. There are some pictures on the bins, but none of the pictures matches the garbage that I have.

There are recycling for cans, glass bottles, and pet bottles (plastic bottles). They love their plastic bottles. Though, if you get a take-out coffee in a plastic cup with a straw, you are not supposed to put those in the recycling. There are really no garbage bins around, so you have to take the garbage with you. You may get lucky and be in a station that has the simple Burnable/Non-Burnable garbage bins. Or go into a convenient store and throw away there…if you can.

In Aomori, we had this large cage we would put our garbage in. You are supposed to put it in the night before, not much earlier than that. The cage is so critters don’t get at it. In Tokyo, sometimes there is a metal closet thing (crows can’t get at it, and the crows are SMART), or some just throw a fishing net thing over a pile. And sometimes, the garbage is just piled and the crows will definitely get at it. In Aomori though, we had to put our names and addresses on the garbage. If you messed up (semi-clear bags), and you had something questionable, they would leave it. If you forgot to put your name on it…it would be left there, and the shame is supposed to overwhelm you to put your name on. In a small village….people know…..they know.

The Salvation Army in Japan is not like the US. In the US, you can go to a location when it is open and drop off pretty much anything (within reason….meaning used underwear is never reasonable). In Japan, you have to call and let them know you will be dropping off stuff. If you have 3 or more boxes, you can schedule them to come and pick it up. They were always very VERY kind on the phone and in person. Though, I think they only have one driver and he is in certain districts on certain days of the month. When I called yesterday (this is my second time donating with them), they said it could take 2-3 weeks. But then I guess I lucked out, because the driver happened to be in my area yesterday. He hung up, called the driver to confirm, then called me back. It was very lucky of me for that! Though, I broke my schedule, that is fine, I really did not have anything planned anyway. :)

If you want to recycle clothing only, H&M takes that. Clothing only though, no purses (unless the clothing is being carried in it), and no shoes. No belts either. Don’t hand them a pile of loose clothing, that’s just an asshole thing to do. Don’t be an asshole, put that shit in a bag. I know the H&M in Shinjuku does this. Mainly the bigger stores, but call or visit first. The recycling is by the registers. They will take it from there. They will give you a coupon to shop there in return. They can give only 2 at max (one for each bag) and if you have more than 2 bags, then you still just get 2 tickets. That’s the way the cookie crumbles, yo.

Uniqlo does have clothing recycling, but only for Uniqlo branded clothing. Fyi.

I went out to get some shopping done for books and to check if I have the right plug converters for Switzerland. I do!!! I ended up using all my saved points from Sekaido to get books. You cannot receive points from books, but you can use them on the books. I saved a lot of ¥¥¥¥. Unfortunately, you need to be living in Japan and have proof of address to get a card. I think I had to actually show my foreigner card for it. I am going to miss this place.

I also got my friend some books for her baby….slightly fucked up books, but they will work. Pretty pictures and shit. I also got a plushie that is questionable.

Dafuq is this?! I dunno, but it’s soft as fuck.

When I came back from the time out, I went and organized all my electronics and wires. I have too many of the Micro-USB cords. So now I need to find the recycling for that shit.

I also went through my art supplies, and I am mad at myself for not getting a before and after. Because I do want to get pics of my apartment before I clean the whole thing out, and I want to use it as Watercolor painting practice. I will just have to re-set up some of the major boxes and where they were. I guess that’s the only crappy thing about taking time to get your shit together.

Other than that, it was a rainy day and I was super productive!

Also, these random ads on the train. Just for good measure.