Bins beside Japanese vending machines are strictly for empty cans, plastic bottles, and glass bottles (recycling). They are NOT public trash cans for general garbage; dumping household waste is a breach of rules.
💡 Cultural Context & Science
Due to a lack of public street trash cans in Japan, beverage operators are legally expected to collect and recycle container wastes generated by their machines, placing targeted resource bins side-by-side.
💬 Useful Conversation Phrases
Once finished, throw your empty metal cans or plastic bottles into the designated holes. Take general waste, papers, or food containers back to your hotel to discard.
🔊 Throwing convenience store bento boxes or plastic shopping bags into the bin next to a vending machine is a severe breach of etiquette. / Let's dispose of plastic bottles and cans correctly by placing them in the dedicated recycling box next to the vending machine.
❓ Bilingual Vending Quiz
Which is the correct rule regarding the recycle containers placed directly next to vending machines?