Table of Contents

• Parenting Manga “Papa’s Technique to Reduce Garbage!”
• He is a great contributor to his family by taking out the trash! Dad is an expert at taking out the trash

Parenting Manga “Papa’s Technique to Reduce Garbage!”

Profile
Eiichi
After working for a design company in Tokyo, he became a freelance illustrator. He is a hard-working father who creates animation, manga, and illustrations, including winning the Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival’s International Short Film Showcase Division Excellence in Animation Award.

He is a great contributor to his family by taking out the trash! Dad is an expert at taking out the trash

Let’s understand the procedure and make garbage disposal smoother!

　Some of you probably think that taking a bag of trash to the collection point, clustered at the front door, is trash disposal. There are a number of steps involved in this process, which are called “chores without a name.

　We asked Akiko Nanao, a storage and organization advisor, to show us the series of steps in taking out the trash, with step-by-step advice.

Breaking down the garbage removal process! We’ll break it down for you!

　Although garbage separation and disposal methods vary depending on the area and building you live in, the following four processes should be agreed upon within each household to facilitate garbage disposal.

(1) Installation of trash cans

　Do you know how many, where, and how big trash cans you have in your house? Each room produces different amounts and sizes of trash.
The strategy for installing trash cans varies depending on whether you want to make it easier to dispose of or consolidate trash.
If it is troublesome to organize, it is better to reduce the number of trash cans, and kitchen trash cans need lids because of the odor they produce, etc. Sort out the complex factors and consider how to install trash cans.

(2) Garbage bag storage

　Changing garbage bags may be one of the most complicated tasks in the garbage disposal process.
In addition to simply replacing trash bags, it is necessary to keep track of inventory, what sizes are used where, and where they are stored within the family. It is a labor intensive task just to keep the trash bag storage area away from the trash can.
For example, trash bags can be easily changed by storing them using a propped-up rod, as shown in the photo.

(iii) Putting together garbage

　The timing of garbage collection depends on each municipality and residence.
In my house, we have 24-hour garbage disposal, so we collect garbage from each location when the combustible garbage, which is the most likely to accumulate, is collected.

4) Garbage disposal

　Here, finally, is the process of actually disposing of the trash.
When disposing of trash, try to keep the bag to the eighth part of the bag and tie it neatly to prevent trash from getting out.

　The most important thing is for fathers to participate with a sense of ownership and interest.
Dads who have been focusing on (3) and (4) should discuss (1) and (2) with mom, saying, “If we do this, it might make garbage disposal more efficient,” so that the couple can comfortably come up with a garbage disposal strategy together.

Understand how to properly dispose of trash!

　Many households are spending more time at home, partly due to the Corona Disaster, and the amount and type of trash is changing. By learning how to reduce the amount of trash and how to dispose of it, you can make trash disposal an enjoyable experience.

　We spoke with Shuichi Takizawa of Machine Guns, who works as a janitor and is also active as a comedian.

Let’s try to reduce garbage.

　In my more than eight years of working as a janitor, the most important message I want to convey is to reduce the amount of trash and the frequency of throwing it away.
First, it is important to recognize the premise that there are only two types of garbage, burnable and non-burnable, each of which can be separated as a “resource.” The first important thing is to recognize the premise that there are only two types of garbage: combustible and noncombustible. Understanding this premise is the only way to reduce the amount of trash we generate.

　Burning the garbage results in 1/20th the size of ashes, which are buried in a final disposal site.
However, the remaining capacity of final disposal facilities is naturally limited, with the national average remaining capacity of only about 16.4 years. (click here for details)
Facing this reality, moms and dads should work with their children to reduce trash.

Need to know! How to dispose of trash

Squeeze water out of food scraps!

　The stinky juice from garbage is a cleaner’s worst enemy. If it gets on your clothes or skin, the smell stays with you all day long.
In addition, garbage that contains moisture must consume extra wasted energy when heated for processing at the plant. The simple act of squeezing food scraps once will save the cleaners and help the environment.

Pizza boxes are compacted by dipping them in water!

　A pizza box with grease on it can cause a large crust and tear the bag if it is thrown away as is. A pizza box is about the size of a baseball when dipped in water. It should be dried for a day or so to dry it before discarding it, as leaving it soaked in water is a heavy burden on the incinerator.

Resources go to the collection box!

　Meat trays, plastic bottles, milk cartons, etc. may be a bit of a hassle, but you can take them all together to collection boxes at supermarkets.
The amount of garbage can be reduced by each person’s small efforts!

There is a limit to the number of garbage disposals!

　In fact, many people are unaware of this rule: there is a limit to the number of pieces of trash you can put out at one time.
If you throw away more than that, you may have to pay a fee. Some households may throw out more garbage than they need to when decluttering, but please check this rule in advance. *Please check the rules as they differ from municipality to municipality.

Humanity Revealed by Taking Out the Garbage

　Garbage disposal etiquette is contagious. In places where collection points are clean and garbage is properly sorted, I have the impression that each person is unconsciously observing good manners.
However, if there is one garbage bag that has not been separated, the feeling of “Oh, I don’t have to separate the garbage?” becomes contagious. I hope you know that one person’s laziness affects many people.

　Let’s follow the rules and try to make everyone feel comfortable.

Recycle Cardboard Trash! Make cardboard toys with your kids!

　Are you having trouble disposing of cardboard boxes due to increased online shopping opportunities with the Corona Disaster? Besides disposing of it as a resource, another way to enjoy parent-child time is to make use of cardboard boxes to create artwork.
We asked Mr. Tomohisa Iwai, an active cardboard artist, to introduce simple cardboard art that can be done at home.

Easy to make a headdress out of cardboard

　Here is a crown that can be made using only cardboard and colored construction paper.

1) Using scissors or a cutter, cut the cardboard into strips about 50 cm long.
　　*The length is a guide only and should be adjusted to the size of your child’s head.
　　*When using a cutter, be sure to place a cutter mat or similar material under the cardboard to prevent damage to the desk or other objects.

2) Shape one piece of cut cardboard into a circle to fit the size of your head. Glue the other piece into a dome shape. The base is now complete.

The base is then decorated with various decorations using construction paper and other materials to complete the work.
　　It can easily be finished in 30 minutes to 1 hour. Let the children have fun and enjoy making it with their own free ideas.

Version up! Let’s make a helmet model!

　A more advanced version of the helmet type of work can also be made from cardboard. Compared to the crown, it is more difficult and time-consuming, so depending on the age of the child, moms and dads should help make it with their children’s help. The blueprints can be downloaded from the following link.

Click here for blueprints

　① Prepare A3-size cardboard (thick cardboard may be difficult to process, so choose the thinnest possible cardboard).
Attach the blueprints to that cardboard and cut them out with scissors or cutters.
Use a ruler or something similar to make folds in the cardboard after cutting.

　Once the folds are made according to the blueprints, they are assembled based on them.

　Once assembled, you are free to decorate it as you like. Let’s create unique works such as bunnies, chickens, etc!
Your own original toy is now complete.

　The time that parents and children enjoy spending together to complete a single work of art is invaluable. While it is important to create a beautiful work of art, it is more important to enjoy the process of making it together with your child than to make it well. Also, when using cutting tools such as scissors and cutters, be very careful not to injure yourself.
*Photographs used in this publication were provided by Mr. Iai.

Understanding that there are various processes involved in garbage disposal will not only reduce the time and effort required to take out the garbage, but will also encourage people to think about the environment.
Garbage can also lead to play that children can enjoy, depending on their ingenuity.
I think dads should have a day to think about such garbage.