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.
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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.
Comments
Thank you so much for your information. It looks good in your information. Thanks again for sharing your information. t’s a little tough to get used to when you’re new but hey, it’s really helpful!
In the future, we should recycle the waste to protect the world. Thanks for your post.
Excellent. Absolutely loved reading and very helpful at the same time 🙂
Love to read this article. I am inspired by your work and got some great ideas. Thanks and keep sharing 🙂
Nice. This is great that they are making their environment neat and clean by adopting these methods.
I agree. Its time consuming, but great for the environment.
I live in Sweden and we have a similar system here. BUT it’s only in some areas. Where my parents live they have to sort out the trash by plastic, paper, leftover food, metal and so on.
But where I live, just 20 minutes away you can if you want to, but it’s not required. And if you cheat with the trash the garbagemen will not give a damn, haha.
One thing I don’t get through, WHY can’t you use trash bags from a different area?
The fun post didn’t know there was so much to say about garbage.
Recycling of waste is very friendly to the environment, so we should be recycling as much as we can.
Such a detailed recycling program. The US could take some lessons from South Korea
I never knew this about South Korea, which is quite interesting. It’s amazing how a small country like that can have a great system.
Recycling is so important!!! Glad to see Korea is on the right path with it!!!
Wow! They even have different types of trash bags for different types of waste.
This is a very informative post. Very interesting recycling machine.
Definitely sounds like something different from North America. Wish we have something like this in the city.
Very informative! Wow, this is kind of jarring. Glad we know better now. After watching a whole bunch of Korean dramas, we don’t think of the little things when it comes to desiring to move to South Korea.
It becomes habit, you get used to it. Its not enough to change your plans for an extended visit.
I must say we have recycling sorted out quite well in Slovenia, but not in such detail as you portrayed.
im a big fan of Korea! i wish this machine can be sent all over the world!
I never thought I would a post about recycling so interesting. Recycling here in the UK I would say is pretty simple. You have done a fantastic job writing all this step by step and all the hints and tips! Thanks for sharing.
Guess what Kiyshia, I never thought I would have written an article about recycling because I found it interesting. lol, thanks for your comments, its nice to know I’m not the only one reading my posts.
that’s awesome! i wish we have one like this in our city!
Wow, Koreans sure take recycling seriously. I hope the same happens here in the Philippines. *fingers crossed
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It is amazing and interesting 🙂 I like this post because it shows how it can be in the world 🙂
Wow this is really a great idea! Wish we had this kind recycling here in Philippines.
I love how organized they are when it comes to gathering their trash. It’s really nice that they have this kind of plans, to be honest.
Thank Carol. Its one of the most organized things I’ve witnessed here. lol
I actually expected more of S Korea. They are so high tech and advanced. Well’ I’m sure Samsung has some flying robots that recycle in the works.
lol, no its rather low tech… right now anyways.
Wow Korea is really strict about recycling. Back in my country anything goes where garbage is concerned. How reckless I know! But I had a similar experience to you living in Panama. Seeing all these different bins for different types of trash and yeah they are written in Spanish so could imagine how confusing it was for me at first. But I support recycling and believe it should be a worldwide thing.
Hi Shevy, where are you from? You would think most countries would have a detailed recycle plan by now.
This was an extremely informative and interesting read! To see how another country and culture manage their waste was eyeopening.
Thanks Claudette, I thought it was interesting to share.
Wow – that is very complicated. I thought it was strange in the UK while I live there, but this seems like a headache!
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I’ve known westerners to not participate and find ways around recycling. Its only a pain when its really cold outside and you have to sort the trash, thats why I sort it in my apartment first.
Wow, this is so nice and interesting! I would love a project like this! Glad that you share this
Thanks Maria, I think its important to prepare for the future.
Argggg i hate the recyling/garbage system in my country. they’re always going on strikes so our bins end up over flowing then we have these fools who come pick up garbage in a horse and cart. i really feel bad for those horses and plus they end up just dumping all that refuse at a dump site and not deposing of it properly. love that you’re promoting these amazing tips and recyling system
Wow Enrico, what country do you live in? I love that so many people from different countries, lifestyle and cultures come here and read my adventures and share their own.
This is such an interesting post. Our recycling here is pretty simple as it all goes in one bin, but this (although more complicated) seems a much better system.
Hi Nay, recycling is an important aspect in any community that plans to thrive.
Wow this is really interesting! It is very different from recycling in New York City!
So far I’ve learned its different from everywhere. lol
Wow, you learn something new every day. I seriously had no idea trash was like this in Korea. I’ll have to ask my husband if he dealt with this. I doubt it, because he stayed in dorms on base when he was there for a year.
Amber if he was on base he didn’t have to recycle to this degree, its only when you live on the economy. I wish they would incorporate many of the locals ideas on recycling.
I learned something new! Didn’t know I could put egg shells, bones, and shells in the waste trash. I will be going to find my “diaper genie” this weekend!
Haha, yup. Think what can’t be eaten, that’s what you can put in the general trash. I bought my diaper genie at Homeplus, the biodegradeable bags are right next to them.
I can’t believe they don’t have rubbish bins, that would seem crazy to me! We have them every few metres here in Australia haha. Sounds like an interesting way to recycle rubbish though- it would take me some time to get used to!
Nope, seems strange, but they are hard to find no matter where you go in Korea.
It’s nice to know that they are recycling. It’s interesting to find out the system that they follow, though.
Yes, it is, hopefully it will have the anticipated outcome. Thanks for stopping by and come back often, I appreciate your support.
Wow, this looks like a bit of a different system… I love it how you bring the daily life in South Korea so close to us! I can’t wait to finally visit South Korea myself 🙂 🙂
Hi Nadine, thanks. I hoped that would come across with this blog. Please come back often and share with your like minded friends.
Recycling is very important. Love how South Korea has a well thought out waste management program. It’s amazing!!
South Korea has this locked down, its an example for the rest of the world.
I’ll have to ask my son about this. He spent a year in South Korea, and he told me it was hard to find trash cans when he went off post, but I didn’t hear about all the particulars with trash and recycling. Much is different in South Korea than it is in the U.S., but I liked hearing how some of it has an old-fashioned feel.
Haha, that’s one of the first things you’ll notice that there aren’t any trash cans. If he lived on post he wouldn’t have had to recycle, they don’t require you too follow Korean standards there, which I think is sad.
Wow. I am seriously impressed by the recyling system! I wonder how our culture would be if we had adopted this mentality. Thank you for shaing.
Thank you. I thought it would be an interesting topic to share and I am glad I was right.
this is great! every home needs this machine!
Thanks for stopping by.
Wow! This is pretty interesting. Even though it seems difficult to dump your trash, especially if you don’t know the rules, it seems like maybe this is all better for the environment in general. Everything piece of “trash” has it’s designated place and there’s no mixing it up!
Nope, as my friends here all laughed at this when I posted it on Facebook. Because someone is always watching to make sure you do it right. I appreciated it because they forced me to learn it and its just the language barrier that makes it “seem” mean spirited. Its not, they have been so helpful.
Wow! Who would’ve thought the recycling system could be so complicated! We do our best to recycle to but in an easier way. Food waste goes to the animals. Paper and cardboard we burn. Everything else goes to the dump.
Its a learning curve, but a necessary one because the country is so small and will definitely run out of space without a plan.
South Korea is totally on my list of places to travel… Not first, but on there. It’s interesting to see the different practices countries have – we are so engrossed with “our norm”…
Trust me, I lived here once and this is my husbands third time… it wasn’t at the top of my list either. And living here the last two years, its not my favorite out of the countries I’ve visited here in Asia either. But then a I write that, I realized there is a lot that I love about SK despite that.
Wow! I totally like their system of recycling! That is really impressive.
Thanks Karlyn, I appreciate your time and support.
This is so different than how we do recycling or garbage at home. This was really interesting to hear about.
Its different from a lot of places. We recycled in Germany, but did separate everything this way.
Wow, I just learned how recycling of trash being done in South Korea. This is such an interesting post. I guess other countries should adapt that too.
Thank you for reading, I’m glad you found interesting and you took the time to say so.
I wouldn’t have thought an article about garbage could be so interesting but it really was. You think about all sorts of things being different as you travel around the world but this is a new one for me.
Haha, thats quite the compliment when you think about it. I thought it was interesting share for people who don’t live here as well as those that are new to the area to help them figure it out faster than I did.
Recycling has become a way of life now.., even my 4 year old recycles.
Thats awesome. Its like anything else if you get kids started on things… eating veggies, ch♡res, language… they don’t think its hard later.
I wish I could recycle here. My son and DIL receive a trash can and recycle can but we don’t have that option. I think it’s awesome that they do in SK.
Wow, where do you live that they don’t do any recycling? I didn’t think there was a place on earth that didn’t have a basic recycling plan.
This was such an interesting read. It’s definitely different than how things are done in the United States.
Thank you for sharing that.
Wow. Their recycling system is fantastic! I hope other places can learn from them. I try and recycle everything that i can.
They really have no choice, its a small country, with 50,000,000 people, they will run out of space eventually without thoughtful planning.
We are huge recyclers. It is still hard to believe that we don’t have more recycling options outside the home – we go on lots of hikes and adventures in our small neck of the woods and often we are only giving traditional trash cans as options. We usually bring what we can back with us to make sure it ends up in the right spot. It’s so amazing that you were able to continue to recycle while travelling.
We actually live here, almost two years now. And yes, even on hikes here, if you can find a trash can (I’m serious they are hard to find) they have more than just one option.
Wow, Koreans really take their trash seriously, huh? Separate bags for food waste, too? I do like that they take recycling so seriously though – more people should.
Yeah you’re right, its a global issue, the Koreans are in the front on this issue.
No kidding, with separate bags for everything like that. I did wonder why they’re so specific about the bags for the general trash though …
It takes a minute to figure out, but once you do, it become habit like anything else you do repeatedly.
That’s great that you were able to find all the things you needed to do to properly recycle. I’m sure it will be worth all the effort you took in the long run.
It took a minute, but yes, we are on board completely now. No taking trash in the backseat of my car on post. yuck!!
thats pretty awesome! i wish we have something like this in our country!
Thanks for your support. Hopefully this or similar like minded plan will be adopted all around the world.
Recycling is super important and these guys are taking it to the next level. Looks like a scifi movie almost 😀
Katja xxx
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It takes some getting used to, but I feel better doing my part.
Recycling is very important!
It’s interesting to see how this is done in other countries!
Thanks for taking the time to comment.
I applaud them for their dedication when it comes to recycling. Very few countries have waste management plans like this. It’s a little tough to get used to when you’re new but hey, it’s really helpful!
Its a very small country, I think it was a necessary task for them. But knowing politics, it was one that seems to garner a lot of support no matter what they are.
Wow. I never really thought about the trash situation in other countries. Here, in the US, trashcans are beyond common. Loved reading about all of the different requirements for recycling, too.
I saw one the other day and I wanted to take a picture, so I did. I just can’t find it. I may have to walk down and take another one. lol
I love that recycling has become a norm now and love how everyone in my community is practicing it diligently.
They are required to, there are fines if they don’t. I just don’t understand how they are imposed yet.
Wow they take recycling to a whole new level. I find recycling very important.
I won’t disagree with that. It takes some time to get it down, but its a wonderful opportunity to lower your carbon footprint.
how cool. I have always found it interesting to learn how they do things differently in other parts of the world.
It’s an important issue that we are all going to have to find a good solution for soon.
people should be doing recycling all over the world. it helps in keeping the cities clean. also saves us some cash.
I agree completely, most people do. It’s the degree to what we recycle and who pays for it is the question most cities are facing.
That is so interesting! So different than recycling here in the states!
Its definitely more involved, but Korea is a small country, they don;t have access to huge landfills.