How to Dispose of Trash in Korea — How to Dispose of Trash You’re Carrying

Hello.
Today, I’m going to talk about trash—that thing you find yourself holding from the very first day you arrive in Korea.
To get straight to the point, South Korea's trash is divided by where it came from — trash generated on the street goes in the trash cans at convenience stores, subway stations, and cafes; for trash generated at the lodging, use the designated bags with the neighborhood name printed on them.

Just knowing this one line solves most of the problem, but the issue is that those street trash cans are hard to find.
So, I started by addressing why it’s missing, and then I organized a guide on where to dispose of different items depending on the situation.

I'm walking down the third block with my cup in hand, and there's still no trash can in sight

Why aren't there any trash cans on the street?

It's because they deliberately removed the trash cans.
1995 Pay-as-You-Throw System As the policy was implemented, the number of people secretly dumping household and commercial trash into street bins increased, so,
Local governments have opted to remove the bins altogether.
The justifications cited were illegal dumping, foul odors, and visual pollution.

Here's how the number of street trash cans has changed in Seoul.

Source: Seoul Shinmun report (2024). As these figures are subject to change based on local government policies, please check with the relevant district office for current figures.

The two-compartment horizontal trash cans recently installed have separate openings for general waste and recyclables.

That is to say It's not that you can't throw trash away because there are no bins; it's a transitional period in which the bins were removed and are now being put back.
That's why there are significant differences from neighborhood to neighborhood.
There are quite a few in tourist hubs like Myeongdong and Hongdae, but almost none in residential areas.

What should I do with the trash I'm holding right now?

If you can't find the bin on the street, following the steps below will almost certainly solve the problem.
This single table is all a traveler needs.

Convenience store trash cans are designated based on items purchased at that store

Trash from your lodging — You’ll need to buy trash bags first

This is where the true Korean style begins.
In South Korea, general waste collection fees are not funded by taxes, but rather charged through the cost of the trash bags.
Pay-as-you-throw bags The moment you bought the (jongnyangje bongtu, volume-rate bag), you paid the processing fee.
So, there's one rule.

At accommodations (hotels, motels, guesthouses), you can simply throw your trash in the provided trash cans, but,
If you're on a long-term trip staying at an Airbnb (private home), you'll need to buy trash bags~

The bags vary by district, and you cannot use bags from other districts. If you put out a bag you bought in Mapo-gu in Gangnam-gu, they won't pick it up.
Fortunately, the bags sold at the local convenience store were already from that neighborhood, so, If you just buy it at a nearby convenience store, it'll be the right one..

Capacity specifications are based on local government guidelines. Prices vary by local government, so no specific figures are provided.

Pay-as-you-throw bags in Jung-gu, Seoul (from left: general-use, recycling, and food waste bags)

It is divided into four categories — General / Food Waste / Recyclables / Special Waste

There are four broad categories, and among these, You need to buy bags for general waste and food waste. There are only two.
If you put out your recyclables clean, you won't have to pay for the bags.
So, the better you separate them, the less it costs—that’s the intent behind this system.

The Essentials of Living in a Studio Apartment: Two Bags and a Recycling Basket

Confusing Items — This Chart Is the Real Deal

This is the part that even Koreans get confused about every time.
In particular, Things that look like food but aren't food.
There is only one criterion.
Can it be used as animal feed or compost?.
If it doesn't crumble and is hard, it's not food.

Source: Seoul Metropolitan Government’s Waste Separation Guidelines. Details may vary by local government, so please refer to your local district office for definitive information.

The three items on the left are general waste; only the apple peels on the right are food waste.

If it looks like food, it's food. — This misunderstanding is the most common mistake.
Eating chicken and throwing the bones into the food waste bin—that’s exactly the kind of thing that gets you in trouble.

When Should You Drop It Off? — Even If You Use the Right Bag, You’ll Be Fined If the Time Is Wrong

I'll put it out tonight. Most areas designate the period from the evening (usually between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m.) until the early morning of the next day, before trash pickup, as the designated collection time.
If you put it out in the morning or in broad daylight, it’s a violation even if the bag is marked correctly.

The days of the week are also designated for each item.
For example, in Mapo District, general waste and food waste are collected Sunday through Thursday, while clear PET bottles and plastic bags are collected on Wednesdays.
The exact day and time are based on the district where you live. Please check the district office website or the bulletin board in the building.

Basis: Articles 8 and 68 of the Waste Management Act. The actual amount of the fine varies depending on local ordinances and the number of violations detected—check with your local district office for exact criteria.

At the apartment complex's recycling station, which is open in the evening, the bags are separated by material type.

Large items won't fit in the bag — Sticker, and Free Pickup

The process is completely different when you move or dispose of furniture and appliances.
Items that don't fit in a bag must be reported in advance and have a sticker (report certificate) attached before they'll be collected.
If you just leave it out there, that’s illegal dumping.

Bulky Waste Collection Permit—Waste will not be collected without this. (Designs vary by region.)

Many people buy stickers thinking they have to pay to dispose of their refrigerators, but, Free in-home pickup for large appliances, starting with just one unit That is.
I'll come to your house and pick it up.
I highly recommend this!!
We are open weekdays from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and closed on weekends.

Just the right amount for every situation

• Hotel Stay — You don't have to buy anything. Just put it in the trash can in your room.

• Airbnb and Guesthouses — Start by asking your host, “How do I take out the trash?” Many places already provide trash bags.

• Studio Apartments · Long-Term Stays — At the convenience store, buy that district's pay-as-you-throw bag and food waste bag. Check the building bulletin board for collection days and times.

• On the street — First, check the subway station; then, check cafes and convenience stores. If there aren’t any, take it back to your lodging.

• Bones, Shells, and Tea Bags — Not food. General bag.

• Moving & Major Appliances — To report stickers, call 1599-0903 (toll-free) for home appliances only.
  

In South Korea, trash is categorized based on "where it comes from" rather than "what it is."

A single food container with a lid will solve most odor problems.

Rather than saying it’s a country without trash cans, A country where everyone is responsible for taking their own trash home It's close to that.
It feels a little awkward carrying a cup around for the first few days, but once you buy a pack, it just becomes second nature.
And this rule—they won’t cut you any slack just because you’re a tourist—but once you know it, it’s not that hard to follow.

Let's all work together to preserve nature and protect the environment.😘