Sort Trash (분리수거) : Waste Bags & Recycling

South Korea recycles approximately 86% of household waste — one of the highest rates in the world. This achievement did not happen accidentally. It is the product of a 종량제 (jongnyangje, volume-based waste fee) system introduced in 1995 that made Koreans pay for the trash they throw away — creating a direct financial incentive to recycle as much as possible and throw away as little as possible. Understanding how the system works is one of the more practically important things to learn when you move to Korea.

핵심 원칙 (The Core Principle)

Korean waste disposal operates on one fundamental principle: 일반 쓰레기 (general waste) costs money; recyclables are free.

You must purchase designated 종량제 봉투 (jongnyangje bongtu, volume-rate waste bags) to dispose of general household trash. These bags are sold at convenience stores and supermarkets — and the purchase price IS the waste disposal fee. The more general trash you produce, the more bags you buy, and the more you pay.

Recyclables, food waste, and large items have separate disposal systems — covered below.

종량제 봉투 (Volume-Rate Waste Bags)

어디서 구매 (Where to buy):

• 편의점 (Convenience stores): GS25, CU, 7-Eleven — most convenient; available at the counter

• 슈퍼마켓·마트 (Supermarkets): E-Mart, Home Plus, local supermarkets

봉투 종류 (Bag types):
Bags are specific to your 시·군·구 (city/county/district) — you must buy the bag designated for your area. Bags from a different district are not accepted.

봉투 용량 (Bag sizes):

배출 방법 (How to dispose):

• Fill the bag, tie it shut

• Place in the designated general waste collection area for your building — typically a specific spot near the building entrance, often a designated time window (evening is common)

• Do NOT use regular plastic bags — this is illegal and can result in fines

분리수거 — 재활용 (Recycling)

Recyclables are separated and placed in designated collection areas — no fee, no special bag required. The separation categories:

핵심 원칙 (Key principle): Rinse containers before recycling. Food-contaminated packaging goes in general waste, not recycling.

Tip — 비닐 분리 (Vinyl separation): 비닐 (vinyl/soft plastic — plastic bags, wrapping, cling film) is a separate category from 플라스틱 (hard plastic containers) in most Korean municipalities. Many apartment complexes have separate bins for each. The distinction trips up many foreigners — a plastic bag and a plastic bottle go in different bins.

음식물 쓰레기 (Food Waste)

Food waste is the category that most surprises foreigners — it is separated, collected separately, and disposed of through its own system.

왜 분리하나 (Why it's separated): Korean food waste is collected and processed into animal feed, compost, and biogas — a closed-loop system that eliminates food waste from landfill entirely.

배출 방법 (Disposal methods):

방법 1: 음식물 전용봉투 (Food waste designated bags)
Purchase dedicated food waste bags (음식물 쓰레기 전용 봉투) — sold separately from general waste bags at convenience stores. These are biodegradable. Fill and place in the food waste collection bin.

방법 2: RFID 계량기 (RFID weight-based system)
Many newer apartment complexes use an automated system: place food waste in the designated bin, which weighs it and charges your account based on weight. Your ARC or a designated card is scanned to link the charge to your household.

방법 3: 거점 수거함 (Collection point bins)
Some areas have designated food waste collection bins at fixed locations — accessible without a special bag.

음식물 쓰레기에 넣으면 안 되는 것 (What does NOT go in food waste):

• 뼈, 생선뼈 (Bones — animal and fish)

• 조개껍데기, 굴껍데기 (Shellfish shells)

• 복숭아·살구 씨 등 딱딱한 씨 (Hard fruit pits)

• 양파 껍질, 마늘 껍질 (Onion and garlic skins)

• 계란 껍질 (Eggshells)

• 커피 찌꺼기 (Coffee grounds — check local rules; varies)

These go in general waste (종량제 봉투), not food waste.

대형 폐기물 (Large Item Disposal)

Furniture, appliances, and large items cannot be placed with regular trash. Korea has a separate system for these.

처리 방법 (How to dispose of large items):

1. Visit your local 주민센터 (Community Service Center) or the online portal 대형폐기물 배출 신고 시스템

2. Identify your item from the list and pay the designated fee (varies by item type and size — typically ₩2,000–₩30,000)

3. Attach the issued sticker to the item

4. Place the item at the designated collection point on the scheduled pickup date

무료 수거 (Free pickup): Some items — working appliances (refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners) — can be picked up for free by calling 한국전자제품자원순환공제조합 (Korea Electronics Recycling Cooperative) at 1599-0903. Manufacturers are legally required to collect old appliances.

아파트 vs. 빌라 (Apartment vs. Villa Differences)

아파트 단지 (Apartment complexes): Typically have well-organized separate bins in a designated 재활용 분리수거장 (recycling collection area) — clearly labeled by category, often enclosed. The 경비원 (security guard) or building management monitors compliance.

빌라·다세대 (Villas/multi-family buildings): Collection areas are less standardized. Many small buildings simply have a sidewalk area designated for collection — observe what your neighbors do and follow the same pattern. Collection days and times vary by neighborhood.

배출 시간 (Disposal time): Most residential areas collect trash on specific days or evenings. Check with your building management or 주민센터 for your area's specific schedule. Placing trash outside collection windows is technically illegal and generates complaints from neighbors.

Key Facts

다음 아티클: The Korean Convenience Store (편의점): A Foreigner's Complete Guide →