loa_log

In Japan Ousouji (大掃除) is like an end of the year event that takes place in each household. People take the time to clean places around the house that they may usually skip like under the bed, behind the refrigerator or spots that get designated as “the storage area.”

Since all my stuff is packed into my car, there’s not much I need get rid of, but I thought this year I could help my dad declutter and clean his home.

In the region that my dad live in, trash is separated into three different categories and each category has a different colored trash bag:

• Burnable trash (Yellow)
• Non-burning trash (Red)
• Recyclables (Clear)

Aside from these trash bags, paper waste, such as cardboard boxes, newspapers and books have to be bundled. Glass waste, batteries and lightbulbs must be placed into their respective bins at the trash station.

For the last two weeks of December, my dad has been on a roll with decluttering his living space. We’ve been able to take out two van-loads of trash out of his house. He also built a bookshelf right on his work desk, which helped get his office supplies organized.

Now all I have to do is drive his van to the trash station and we’ll be ready to welcome the new year with a little less messy home.