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Designated trash bags run low in Japan as fears grow over supply shortages

The Japan Times·Yukana Inoue·6 months ago
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#localgovernment#waste#iran#middleeast#oil
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Many municipalities across Japan say buzz online and anxiety over the situation in the Middle East has led to people panic-buying garbage bags.

Many municipalities across Japan say buzz online and anxiety over the situation in the Middle East has led to people panic-buying garbage bags. | GETTY IMAGES

City-designated trash bags in Japan are running low as the conflict in the Middle East puts a strain on supplies of naphtha, a key ingredient in plastic. 

In many parts of Japan, municipalities require residents to use specially designated trash bags, which can be found in local supermarkets and drug stores, as a way to charge a fee for garbage collection. 

With social media-driven panic-buying also compounding the shortage problem, however, some local authorities have moved to permit the use of regular plastic garbage bags for disposal.

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