Your Ultimate Guide to Recycling in South Korea

Getting your Trinity Audio player ready…

South Korea has taken bold steps to reduce the country’s carbon footprint. Unlike America where all the recycled goods are heaped into one bin, recycling in South Korea is a pretty involved process that includes separating aluminum from glass, batteries from Styrofoam and even vinyl bags from plastic ones. The recycling center opposite the security station in my apartment complex. It is neat, orderly and plainly marked in both English and Korean.

_{This post is sponsored and/or contains affiliate links, from which I earn a commission at no extra cost to the reader. I appreciate your support and know that all the views expressed are my own.}

Recycling in South Korea

Where are the Trash Cans?

It’s hard talking about trash in South Korea without mentioning that trash can sightings are like the search for Bigfoot. Your cousin heard a friend of his girlfriend’s uncle once heard some guy see one. They don’t exist. When I arrived, I carried my trash in my purse and threw it away when I got home. Now I do like the Sicilians and toss it in great big piles on the street.

Where are the Trash Cans?

Over the last two years, I have begun to see trash cans, but only a few of them. During political unrest, the government removed trash cans 30 years ago because they were a weapon of choice for protestors and failed to put them back. That’s just one of the exciting things I’ve learned about recycling in South Korea since I got here.

Recycling in South Korea is Complicated

Trash Bag Types

The first time I took my trash to the recycle bin, and security rejected my hefty bag full of trash like I was Lebron James, I must admit I was confused. He lifted the bin and showed me the kind of bag I needed to use. I nodded, put my hefty bag into the back of the Jeep, and dumped it into a dumpster on-post.

I asked a few people where I got the bags, however, no one seemed to know what I was talking about. They loaded their trash into the back of their cars and dumped it into the dumpsters on-post as well. I consider myself a steward of the earth and want to be more responsible than that.

When you move in, the guards will come and watch you—I mean to assist you—in distributing your recyclables in the correct bins and containers whether you want them to or not. So I called Mr. Kim, my realtor, and he gave me the low down. The next time I went to the recycling area, however, I was prepared to dunk if I had to..

General Waste Trash Bags

This is a general-use trash bag, and it comes in several different sizes. The 50-liter bag fits the standard American kitchen trash can. You can only use authorized bags to dispose of your trash. Unfortunately, you are not allowed to use hefty kitchen bags. In addition, the bags are much more expensive than hefty bags too.

I generally use 50-liter and 100-liter bags, which are priced at 1,100Won and 2,220Won, respectively. Unfortunately, there isn’t a discount for buying them in bulk either.

General waste includes everything not considered food, It also includes things like toilet paper you cannot flush down the toilet, sanitary napkins, diapers, and clothes.

Yes, some people live in old buildings where they have to put their soiled toilet paper in a trash can. However, that sounds gross, doesn’t it? Well, shit happens.

Food Waste

This is the food waste garbage bag. They are used for anything edible by man or animal, i.e. cooked and uncooked meat, fruit rinds, raw eggs, and vegetables. It is blue-green and biodegradable. On my kitchen counter, I use a diaper genie-like pail to dispose of leftover food that cannot fit or be flushed down the small opening in the drain.

As a matter of fact, food waste is stored in containers like the ones above, activated by a card given to each tenant upon move-in.

Food Waste Exceptions

However, there are exceptions for food waste such as eggshells, crustacean shells (Crab, Lobster, Shrimp, etc), clam shells, onion and garlic paper-like skin, animal bones, tea bags, or tea leaves. These things can be included in the general waste trash bags.

Recyclables

Some trash is instinctive because they will have the recycle trademark on the packaging. These include, but aren’t limited to, glass, plastic, styrofoam, paper, cardboard, aluminum, light bulbs, batteries, and vinyl convenience bags. Recepticals are supplied for their disposal.

Oversized Garbage

As the name implies, oversized garbage is trash too large to fit in conventional garbage bags. For example, refrigerators, induction cookers, TVs, air conditioners, gas ranges, and big furniture like bed mattresses, sofas, desks, coffee tables, microwaves, and washing machines must be disposed of separately.

Oversized refuse must be left in a designated area of the recycling area. Removal is not free; it is based on the type and size of the item.

Where to Buy Trash Bags

You can buy both bags at convenience stores, such as E-Mart and Home Plus. In addition to your neighborhood corner stores. They are usually under the counter if you don’t see them displayed. They are sold in bundles of 10 or 20, but you can also purchase them one at a time. I also bought my diaper genie bin at Home Plus. And you should find the food waste bags in the same aisle.

A Few Helpful Tips

1. Even though you can buy them at convenience stores. I would not suggest you do that. At my Seven Eleven, a 50l and 100l general waste trash bag are way more expensive for convenience at 1,400Won and 2,440, respectively. That’s $1.25 and $2.12 for one trash bag.

2. A little Korean goes a long way.

3. Separate your plastic, glass, paper, etc… in your apartment. Trust me, its a lot easier to dump entire bags of stuff into the bins. And the security guards, who aren’t doing much, tend to “help” when they see they don’t have to get their hands dirty.

4. Take out your food waste DAILY. If not you may find you have gnats in your diaper genie.

5. Keep two trash cans. One is lined with a hefty bag for recycles and one is lined with the Korean trash bag.

6. Use a hairnet-like cover (sold at Daiso) in the sink strainer, so you can cut down on drain maintenance.

7. Ask questions if you don’t understand because you can be fined for non-compliance.

LIke It! Pin It!

I love sharing stories, lessons from abroad, and tips for curious travelers. If my work has inspired you or made you smile, please buy me a coffee. Your support helps me keep the blog running—at no cost to you.

My articles are available as mobile apps for offline reading and GPS-assisted directions.

Download my articles on GPSMyCity.

This post contains sponsored and/or affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission.