Korea is one of the world’s leaders in recycling, with strict rules to ensure waste is properly managed. To help you recycle effectively, here’s a simple guide tailored for foreigners living in Korea! 😊

📢 General Tips

• There are specific areas designated for trash disposal in residential buildings.

  ⇒ So please check it!

• Basic process: Empty→ Rinse & remove any labels, stickers, etc → Flatten (reduce volume) → Sort → Dispose into proper designated place

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Food waste (음식물 쓰레기)

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Food waste bags vary in color by region.

• Food waste should be separated and disposed of separately from other types of trash.

• You can purchase food waste bags from a convenience store or a supermarket, usually in a bundle of 10.

• For single-person households, a 2L or 3L bag is usually enough for several days.

• To ask for the food waste bag,

  음식물 쓰레기 봉투 있어요?

  Eumsikmul seuregi bongtu isseoyo?

  = Do you have food waste bags?

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General waste/Non-recyclables (일반 쓰레기)

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The color of the general waste bags also vary by region.

• General waste typically consists of everyday household items such as tissue paper, receipts, sanitary products, certain types of mixed-material packaging, and other non-recyclable materials.

• You can purchase general waste bags from a convenience store or a supermarket, usually in a bundle of 10.

• General waste bags come in various sizes — commonly 5L, 10L, 20L, and 50L. (Small households typically use 10L or 20L bags)

• To ask for the general waste bag,

  일반 쓰레기 봉투 있어요?

  Ilban sseuregi bongtu isseoyo?

  = Do you have bags for general waste?

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Recyclables (재활용품)

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• Separate recyclable items by material (paper, metal, plastic, glass, vinyl, etc.) and put them in the designated place in front of your house.
• You can put the recyclables in a bag provided by the building, otherwise you can use a transparent plastic bags to dispose the recyclables.
  • Tip❗️ You can purchase transparent bags for recycling from Daiso or you can just use the the clean delivery food bags.
• Each district has its own waste collection day. You will need to check and find out the recyclable waste collection day and put it out at the designated time.
  • Major Districts' Waste Disposal Times

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Paper

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• Recyclable (O)

: Newspapers, books, notebooks, wrapping paper, corrugated cardboard, paperbags, paper boxes, and other paper items bearing a recycling symbol

• Non-recyclable (X)

: Plastic(Vinyl)-coated paper bags or paper cups

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Glass

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• Recyclable (O)

: Liquor bottles such as beer and soju bottles, soda bottles, and other glass items bearing a recycling symbol

• Non-recyclable (X)

: Plate glass, mirrors, heatresistant dinnerware, cosmetic bottles, ceramic wares

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Metal

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• Recyclable (O)

: Drink cans, spray cans, butane fuel canisters, aluminum, stainless steel flatware, tools, and other iron/aluminum items bearing a recycling symbol

• Non-recyclable (X)

: Paint cans, oil barrels, harmful substance containers

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Styrofoam

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• Recyclable (O)

: EPE foam buffers for home appliances, containers for transporting fishes or fruits, and clean instant cup noodle containers

• Non-recyclable (X)

: Disposable plates

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Plastic

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• Recyclable (O)

: Items bearing an HDPE, LDPE, PP, PS, PVC, or OTHER recycling symbol

• Non-recyclable (X)

: Pens, socket with button switch, toys, electric heaters

Reference: https://www.junggu.seoul.kr/english/content.do?cmsid=14842

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