Loved this article, because it hits on at least two other themes about Japan aside from trash separation: lack of privacy and the Japanese love of rules/systems. I think the Japanese penchant for rules, systems, and the "decided" method of doing things is one major reason why it can't make the necessary changes to get out of its economic slump.
But that's a different discussion--hey, does anyone know which garbage category metal or steel parts would fall under? It would have to be under the catch-all "moenai" gomi, right?