FOHO Blog – Global Housing & Living Guide for Foreigners

How to Dispose of Trash in Korea (2025)

Confused by recycling in Korea? This step-by-step guide explains jongnyangje bags, food waste rules, and local sorting for new foreign residents.

Evan Han

CEO & Founder of FOHO, a housing platform for foreigners in Korea. Experienced in rental market trends, proptech innovation, and foreign tenant support.

Oct 11, 2025

TIPRegion

Table of contents

01The Definitive Guide to Waste Disposal in South Korea: A Practical Handbook for Foreign Residents
•Section 1: Understanding the System: The "Why" Behind the Rules
•Section 2: The Three Pillars of Daily Waste
•Section 3: A Masterclass in Recycling: Item-by-Item Guide
•Section 4: Handling Special & Hazardous Waste
•Section 5: Disposing of Large Items: Furniture & Appliances
•Section 6: Your Local Rulebook: Finding Hyper-Local Information
•Section 7: A Practical Toolkit for Success
•Conclusion
•Find Your Home in Korea, Without the Hassle
•Footnotes

The Definitive Guide to Waste Disposal in South Korea: A Practical Handbook for Foreign Residents

Navigating the waste disposal system is one of the first and most confusing challenges for new residents in South Korea. The rules are specific, the bags are color-coded, and making a mistake can lead to fines or warnings from neighbors. However, the system is highly organized and effective, built on a clear environmental and economic logic.

This guide provides a comprehensive, practical breakdown of everything you need to know. We will explain the core principles of the system, detail how to sort every common type of waste, and show you how to find the specific rules for your neighborhood. By the end, you will be able to manage your waste confidently and correctly.

Section 1: Understanding the System: The "Why" Behind the Rules

To master South Korea's waste system, you first need to understand its founding principle: you pay for what you cannot recycle.

1.1. The Jongnyangje (종량제) System: Pay-As-You-Throw

The foundation of Korean waste management is the Volume-Based Waste Fee system (Jongnyangje), introduced in 1995[^1]. The concept is simple: households must pay for the disposal of their non-recyclable general waste. This is enforced through the mandatory purchase and use of official, district-specific garbage bags (Jongnyangje Bongtu).

The goal of this policy is twofold: to incentivize recycling (which is free) and to reduce the total amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. This system is a primary reason for South Korea's high recycling rates[^2]. It also explains a common sight for newcomers: the near-total absence of public trash cans. To prevent people from avoiding the bag fees by using public bins for their household trash, municipalities removed most of them.

1.2. The Single Most Important Rule: All Waste is Local

Waste disposal rules in South Korea are not uniform across the country. They are set at the municipal level, meaning the rules in your specific District (Gu, 구) or even your Neighborhood (Dong, 동) are the only ones that matter. Collection days, times, bag colors, and even sorting specifics can change when you move to a new area.

Therefore, the most reliable source of information is always the official website of your local district office (Gu-cheong, 구청).

Section 2: The Three Pillars of Daily Waste

Your daily household waste will fall into three main categories: general, food, and recyclables.

2.1. General Waste (Ilban Sseuregi, 일반 쓰레기)

This category is for anything that cannot be recycled and is not considered food waste.

What it includes: Used tissues, sanitary products, diapers, soiled paper, broken ceramics, animal bones, clam shells, eggshells, composite material items (like toothbrushes and pens), and any plastic or vinyl that is too dirty to be cleaned.

How to dispose: You must use the official Jongnyangje bags designated for your district. These can be purchased at any local convenience store or supermarket. Using a bag from another district is a violation and your trash will not be collected.

2.2. Food Waste (Eumsikmul Sseuregi, 음식물 쓰레기)

South Korea recycles food waste into animal feed or compost, which is why the separation rules are so strict[^3].

The simplest way to determine what qualifies is to ask yourself: "Can an animal safely eat this?"

How to dispose: Methods vary significantly by building and district.

Special Food Waste Bags: Often yellow, these are sold at convenience stores like general waste bags.

Communal Bins: Common in villas and smaller apartment buildings. You either purchase a payment sticker (napbu piljeung, 납부필증) to attach to the bin or use a pre-paid T-money card on an electronic bin.

RFID Weighing Systems: Modern apartments often have large, automated bins. Residents scan their personal RFID card, dispose of their food waste, and are charged by weight on their monthly utility bill.

Before disposing, you must remove as much moisture as possible and ensure no non-food items (like plastic wrap or toothpicks) are mixed in.

Table 1: Food Waste vs. General Waste Classification

This table clarifies common points of confusion. Items that are too hard, fibrous, or salty are unsuitable for animal feed and must go into general waste.

Category	Dispose as Food Waste (Animal Feed)	Dispose as General Waste (Not Animal Feed)
Vegetables	Soft peels (apple, potato), leftover cooked vegetables	Fibrous peels (onion, garlic, corn husks), hard roots (green onion), chili seeds & stems
Fruits	Soft seeds (melon, grape)	Hard shells (nuts, pineapple, coconut), large pits (peach, avocado, persimmon)
Meats & Seafood	Boneless meat, fish meat	All bones (beef, pork, chicken, fish), all shells (clams, crabs, shrimp), toxic parts (pufferfish innards)
Other	Leftover rice, bread, noodles	Eggshells, tea bags, coffee grounds, herbal medicine grounds

Sources: Jung-gu District Office, Seoul[^4]; Ministry of Environment guidelines.

2.3. Recyclables (Jaehwalyongpum, 재활용품)

Recyclables are disposed of free of charge. The core principles for preparing all recyclables are:

Empty: Remove all contents.

Rinse: Clean away any food residue.

Separate: Remove labels, caps, and parts made of different materials.

Don't Mix: Keep different material types separate.

Disposal is typically done using clear plastic bags or by placing items directly into the designated bins in an apartment complex's collection area.

Section 3: A Masterclass in Recycling: Item-by-Item Guide

Correctly sorting recyclables is crucial. Here is a detailed breakdown by category.

3.1. Paper & Cardboard (Jongi-ryu, 종이류)

Recyclable: Newspapers, books, notebooks, cardboard boxes.

Preparation: Remove all plastic tape, metal staples, and plastic-coated covers. Flatten boxes and tie everything together with string. Keep it dry.

Not Recyclable (General Waste): Thermal receipts, photos, oily paper (e.g., paper lining a pizza box), wallpaper, shredded paper, diapers.

3.2. Paper Cartons (Jongi-paek, 종이팩)

Recyclable: Milk cartons, juice boxes, soymilk packs.

Why it's separate: These cartons have a plastic or foil lining, requiring a different recycling process than regular paper.

Preparation: Empty, rinse thoroughly, flatten, and dry. Remove any plastic caps or straws. Bundle them separately from other paper products.

3.3. Glass Bottles (Yuri-byeong-ryu, 유리병류)

Recyclable: Beverage bottles, food jars.

Preparation: Empty, rinse, and remove plastic or metal caps (recycle those separately). Removing the paper label is recommended.

Bottle Deposit Refund: Soju and beer bottles have a small deposit (₩100-₩130) included in the price. You can return these to supermarkets for a cash refund.

Not Recyclable: Broken glass (wrap carefully in newspaper and place in a general waste bag), crystal, heat-resistant glass (Pyrex), light bulbs, mirrors, ceramics.

3.4. Metal Cans & Scrap (Kaen-ryu/Gocheol-ryu, 캔류/고철류)

Recyclable: Aluminum/steel beverage cans, food cans, scrap metal.

Preparation: Empty, rinse, and crush if possible. Remove any plastic lids.

Safety Warning: Aerosol cans or butane canisters must be completely empty. Pierce a hole in them outdoors in a well-ventilated area before disposal to prevent explosions.

3.5. Plastics (Peullaseutik-ryu, 플라스틱류)

The Golden Rule for Plastics: A new, mandatory rule requires transparent, colorless PET bottles (from water or soft drinks) to be disposed of separately from all other plastics.

Transparent PET Bottles: Empty, rinse, remove the label completely, crush the bottle flat, and replace the cap. Dispose of in the designated "투명페트" bin or bag.
Other Plastic Containers: This includes colored PET bottles, shampoo/detergent containers, and yogurt cups. Prepare them by emptying, rinsing, and removing any non-plastic parts (like metal pump springs).

Not Recyclable (General Waste): Toys, pens, toothbrushes, CDs, plastic hangers, and any items made of multiple mixed materials.

3.6. Vinyl & Film Packaging (Binil-ryu, 비닐류)

Recyclable: Snack bags, instant noodle wrappers, plastic bags, bubble wrap.

Preparation: Only clean vinyl is recyclable. It must be free of food residue or dirt. If it cannot be cleaned easily, it must be thrown in general waste. Collect all clean vinyl in a single transparent bag.

Not Recyclable (General Waste): Cling wrap, rubber gloves, tablecloths, heavily soiled vinyl.

3.7. Styrofoam (Seutiropom, 스티로폼)

Recyclable: Clean, white styrofoam packaging.

Preparation: Remove all tape, shipping labels, and stickers. If it held fresh produce or fish, it must be rinsed clean. Break large pieces down.

Not Recyclable (General Waste): Colored styrofoam, cup noodle containers (often stained and contaminated), fruit netting.

Table 2: Quick Guide for Commonly Confused Items

Item	Correct Disposal Method	Reason & Notes
Cup Noodle Container	General Waste	Almost always stained by oily broth, making it unrecyclable.
Aluminum Foil	General Waste	Too thin and often contaminated with food, making recycling inefficient.
Eggshells	General Waste	Unsuitable for animal feed and do not compost well.
Toothbrush	General Waste	Composed of mixed materials (plastic, nylon, rubber).
Receipts	General Waste	They are thermal paper, not regular paper.
Ice Pack (Gel Type)	General Waste (do not cut open)	The gel is a non-recyclable superabsorbent polymer. If the pack contains only water, pour the water out and recycle the vinyl casing.

Section 4: Handling Special & Hazardous Waste

These items have dedicated disposal streams and must never be put in general waste.

Clothing & Textiles: Use the large green or white collection bins found in residential areas, labeled 의류 수거함 (Uiryu Sugeoham). Acceptable items include wearable clothes, paired shoes, bags, and curtains. Do not deposit pillows, thick blankets, carpets, or wheeled luggage.

Batteries & Fluorescent Bulbs: These contain hazardous materials. Dispose of them in the designated collection boxes found at your local community center (jumin center, 주민센터) or in dedicated bins within apartment complexes.

Expired Medicine: Do not throw medicine in the trash or flush it down the toilet, as it contaminates soil and water. Return all expired or unused medication to the collection boxes at any local pharmacy or public health center.

Cooking Oil: Pouring oil down the sink causes severe pipe blockages. Your building may have a dedicated oil collection bin. If not, small amounts can be absorbed with paper towels and thrown in general waste. You can also inquire at your community center about disposal methods.

Section 5: Disposing of Large Items: Furniture & Appliances

5.1. Bulky Waste (Daehyeong Pyegimul, 대형 폐기물) Sticker System

For any item too large to fit into a jongnyangje bag—such as furniture, luggage, carpets, or large blankets—you must follow a formal declaration and payment process.

Step-by-Step Process:

Identify Item & Fee: Determine the exact type and size of the item you are discarding. The fee will vary accordingly.

Declare & Pay:

Online (Recommended): Visit your local Gu Office website and find the "Large Waste" (대형 폐기물) section. Select your item from the list, pay the fee online, and print the declaration certificate. If you don't have a printer, you can write the confirmation number on a piece of paper.

Offline: Go to your community center (jumin center) or a designated local mart and purchase a physical sticker for your specific item.

Attach & Dispose: Attach the printed certificate or physical sticker securely to the item. Place the item outside in the designated collection area on the specified day or evening.

5.2. Large Home Appliances: Free Collection Service

For large appliances like refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners, and TVs, there is a convenient free nationwide collection service. This is operated by the Korea Electronics Recycling Cooperative (KERC).

Eligible Items: Large appliances (over 1m in height) are collected for free. You can often include smaller appliances (microwaves, fans) with a large item pickup.

How to Book:

Website: www.15990903.or.kr
Phone: 1599-0903
KakaoTalk ID: 폐가전무상방문수거 A collection team will schedule a visit, enter your home, and remove the item for you.

Section 6: Your Local Rulebook: Finding Hyper-Local Information

As stated, rules vary by district. Here is how to find the correct information for your home.

6.1. Your District (Gu) Office Website is Your Best Friend

This is the most authoritative source for your local regulations. Use a search engine to find "[Your District Name]-gu Office" (e.g., "Gangnam-gu Office"). On the website, look for sections related to "Waste" (폐기물), "Cleaning" (청소), or "Environment" (환경). There you will find detailed PDFs or webpages outlining collection schedules and sorting rules for your specific neighborhood (dong).

Table 3: Example of Local Rule Differences: Seocho-gu, Seoul vs. Haeundae-gu, Busan

This comparison illustrates how drastically rules can differ. The information is for illustrative purposes and should be verified on the respective district websites.

Category	Seocho-gu, Seoul	Haeundae-gu, Busan
General Waste Days	Varies by dong (e.g., Sun, Tue, Thu)	Sun, Tue, Thu
Recycling Days	Same day as general waste	Item-specific days: - Mon: Plastics, Cans, Glass - Wed: Paper, Vinyl, Styrofoam
Disposal Time	18:00 - 01:00	18:00 - 21:00
Food Waste Days	Daily (except Saturday)	Sun, Tue, Thu
Special Notes	No waste disposal on the day before a public holiday.	Non-combustible waste is collected on Mondays and Wednesdays.

Sources: Seocho-gu Office Website[^5], Haeundae-gu Office Website[^6].

Section 7: A Practical Toolkit for Success

7.1. Digital Assistant: Nae Sonan-ui Bunlibaechul App

The Ministry of Environment's official app, 내 손안의 분리배출 (Recycling Info in My Hand), is an invaluable tool. You can search for almost any item (in Korean), and it will tell you the correct disposal category and method. While the app is in Korean, its visual guides and simple search function make it usable with basic translation.

7.2. Understanding Penalties: A Summary of Fines

Failure to comply with waste disposal laws can result in significant fines under the Waste Management Act[^7].

Table 4: Common Violations and Associated Fines (First Offense)

Violation	Fine Amount (KRW)
Littering small trash (cigarette butts, tissues)	₩50,000
Disposing of household waste in a plastic shopping bag (not an official bag)	₩200,000
Mixing recyclables or food waste in a general waste bag	₩100,000 - ₩300,000
Disposing of large waste without a sticker/declaration	₩100,000+
Unauthorized incineration or burial of waste	Up to ₩1,000,000

Source: Wastes Control Act, Article 68[^8].

7.3. Pro-Tips from the Community

"When in doubt, throw it out." If you are unsure whether an item is recyclable, it is better to put it in the general waste (jongnyangje) bag than to contaminate the recycling stream.

Freeze food waste. Especially in hot summers, storing your food waste bag in the freezer until collection day is a very effective way to prevent odors and pests.

Ask for help. Don't hesitate to ask your building manager (gwanli-in, 관리인), a Korean neighbor, or even a convenience store clerk for guidance. The Seoul Dasan Call Center (dial 120) also offers foreign language support.

Observe your neighbors. The best way to learn the specific system for your building is to see how others are doing it.

Conclusion

While South Korea's waste disposal system may seem daunting at first, it is a logical and efficient framework designed to maximize resource recovery. By internalizing the four core principles—Empty, Rinse, Separate, and Don't Mix—and remembering that all rules are ultimately local, you can quickly adapt.

Use the digital tools available, refer to your local district's official guidelines, and observe your community's practices. Soon, sorting your waste will become a simple and responsible part of your daily routine, contributing to a cleaner environment in your new home.

Find Your Home in Korea, Without the Hassle

Mastering local rules for daily life in Korea, from waste disposal to paying utility bills, is a significant challenge. But finding the right apartment can feel even more overwhelming—especially when you’re dealing with confusing communication and high service fees.

FOHO simplifies the entire rental process. We offer the market's lowest service fees and provide access to affordable, verified listings across Korea. With our dedicated customer support and seamless communication assistance with landlords, you have a reliable partner from your first inquiry to long after you’ve settled in.

[→ Start Your Search with FOHO Today]

Footnotes

[1]: Ministry of Environment, Korea. "Volume-Based Waste Fee System." https://www.me.go.kr/home/web/policy_data/read.do?menuId=10263&seq=7130

[2]: Korea Environmental Corporation. "Recycling Statistics." https://www.keco.or.kr/en/business/recy_info/contentsid/2005/index.do

[3]: SUDOKWON Landfill Site Management Corp. "Food Waste Resources." https://www.slc.or.kr/eng/main.do

[4]: Jung-gu, Seoul. "Food Waste Disposal Guide." https://www.junggu.seoul.kr/english/content.do?cmsid=14841

[5]: Seocho-gu Office. "Garbage Disposal Information." https://www.seocho.go.kr/site/fe/04/10413000000002020090709.jsp

[^6]: Haeundae-gu Office. "Waste Disposal Guide." https://www.haeundae.go.kr/english/index.do

[7]: Korean Law Information Center. "Wastes Control Act." https://elaw.klri.re.kr/eng_service/lawView.do?hseq=43284&lang=ENG

[8]: Korean Law Information Institute. "Trash disposal." http://www.koreanlii.or.kr/w/index.php/Trash_disposal

Get Foreigner-Friendly Housing Tips

Get the latest news delivered to your inbox.

Looking for a room? Discover the most affordable options now.

Subscribe to the FOHO newsletter

Actionable housing insights in your inbox.