Comment by tomwheeler

1 day ago

As a tourist, I didn't realize what a commitment I was making when I bought a snack from a vending machine one morning. I had to carry around the empty wrapper until I got back to my hotel room that night.

Trick: there is almost always a garbage can next to a vending machine, and there are many vending machines in Japan.

Caveat: some of those garbage cans are for can recycling only. But there is often another one for garbage like food wrappers.

  • In my recent experience it's very rare to find anything other than recycling bins next to vending machines in Japan.

    Buying a snack really is a big commitment, which is unfortunate because of how tasty they are.

    • That said the inverse problem in the USA is that there are practically no public toilets and if you find one it’s probably disgusting. I find that a much bigger inconvenience than needing to carry some garbage around!

      2 replies →

The author of the linked article thinks you are simply wrong for considering this a burden.

  • No, the author (who's also the one who posted this to HN) thinks it is a burden, but it's one you voluntarily agreed to by purchasing and consuming the item whose remains are now garbage.