Korean Trash Rules 2025 | Full Foreigner’s Waste Guide

A Foreigner’s Guide to Waste Disposal in Korea (2025 Edition)

※ This article is based on official information as of August 1, 2025.

Summary at a Glance

If you’re living in Korea or planning to visit, you need to know this: Korean trash rules are no joke. The country has one of the most organized and strictest recycling systems in the world. From color-coded bags to RFID food waste bins, it’s a system that rewards the eco-conscious and penalizes the unaware. This guide will help you avoid embarrassing mistakes and even fines, while living more like a local.

Eligibility & Conditions

Rules apply to all residents in Korea, including short-term foreign visitors, students, and workers.
Mandatory waste sorting is required in all types of residences: apartments, villas, dorms, and officetels.
Improper disposal can result in fines up to ₩1,000,000 (roughly $750 USD).
Each city, district, or neighborhood may have slightly different bag colors, rules, and schedules.
Compliance is monitored by both CCTV and neighborhood reports — yes, even by the elderly!

Understanding Korean Trash Rules

Korea follows a volume-based waste disposal system called Jongnyangje (종량제). This system requires residents to use official government-designated trash bags. You literally pay for what you throw away — which motivates people to reduce waste and recycle more.

Here are the five main waste categories in Korea:

1. General Waste (Ilban Sseuregi)

What it includes: Non-recyclable items like diapers, used tissue, dirty plastics, cigarette butts, chewing gum, broken glass or ceramics.
Bag type: Standard volume-based bags (color depends on your city).
Where to buy: Convenience stores, supermarkets, Daiso — just ask for “Jongnyangje Bongtu.”

2. Food Waste (Eumsikmul Sseuregi)

What it includes: Leftovers, vegetable peels, meat scraps, spoiled food.
Not included: Animal bones, seashells, fruit pits — they must go in general waste.
Bag type: Special orange, yellow, or red food waste bags — or RFID bins in newer apartment buildings.
How to dispose: Drain liquids first, then tie the bag tightly to prevent leakage and odor.

3. Recyclables (Jaehwal Yongpum)

What it includes: Plastics, paper, glass, cans, PET bottles, milk cartons.
No payment bag required: Use any clear plastic bag.
Key rule: Items must be clean and dry — food residue or liquid can disqualify the entire bag from being recycled.
Separate by type: Paper with paper, plastic with plastic, etc.

4. Large Waste Items (Daehyeong Pye-gimul)

What it includes: Furniture, mattresses, refrigerators, TVs, chairs.
How to dispose:
1. Register online via your local city office’s bulky waste page.
2. Pay a small fee.
3. Print and attach the QR code or sticker.
Without registration? Risk a fine or your item not being collected.

5. Special or Hazardous Waste

Includes: Batteries, light bulbs, paint, electronics, aerosol cans.
How to dispose:
- Drop off at dedicated collection boxes near apartment offices or major supermarkets.
- Some electronics may require pick-up through E-Waste programs.

Step-by-Step Application Guide

Step 1: Learn Your Local Rules

Ask your landlord, building manager, or neighbors about trash schedules and locations.
Cities like Seoul have official guides in English, but smaller towns may not.

Step 2: Get the Right Bags

Use government-issued bags for general and food waste.
For recyclables, clear bags or just bundle the items neatly.
Bag colors and types vary by city — don’t assume Seoul rules apply in Busan or Jeju.

Step 3: Sort Everything at Home

Get separate bins or containers in your home for each waste category.
Make it a habit to rinse and dry recyclables daily.
Try to reduce food waste — Korea takes this very seriously.

Step 4: Stick to Collection Schedules

General and food waste are usually collected late at night.
Recyclables have designated weekly days.
Don’t put out your trash early — it may be considered illegal dumping.

Step 5: Report or Register Bulky Waste

Most cities offer online bulky waste registration.
Seoul residents can use: Seoul Bulky Waste Portal → clean.seoul.go.kr
Payment can often be done by credit card or KakaoPay.

Real-Life Case Example

Name: Maria, 32, from Spain
City: Incheon
Residence: Small villa without a building manager

“I put out a microwave without registering it. A neighbor reported me, and I had to pay ₩80,000. I didn’t know registration was mandatory for electronics. Now, I double-check everything.”

Maria’s mistake is common. Many foreign residents assume they can discard large items like they do back home. But in Korea, failure to comply means not just fines, but potential neighborhood tension — which matters in close-knit residential zones.

Regional Differences: Seoul vs. Other Regions

Aspect	Seoul (Metropolitan)	Other Regions (e.g. Daegu, Jeju, Gangwon)
Bag Colors	White (general), Orange (food), Clear (recycling)	Varies — yellow, blue, or green bags common
Food Waste RFID Bins	Widespread in apartments	Less common in villas or countryside
Bulky Waste Registration	Online, app-based, multiple languages	May require in-person visits or phone calls
Language Support	English available on Seoul city websites	Mostly Korean-only resources
Apartment vs. Villa System	More centralized and managed	Often left to individual residents to manage

※ Source: MOE (Ministry of Environment Korea), Local City Offices (as of August 1, 2025)

FAQ

Q1. What happens if I mix trash categories?

You may be fined or publicly warned. CCTV and neighbors monitor disposal areas. Repeat offenses can lead to involvement from local officials or your landlord.

Q2. Do I need different bags if I move to another city?

Yes. Each municipality issues its own bags. When you move, you’ll need to buy new bags according to the new district.

Q3. Can I reuse plastic shopping bags for food waste?

No. Only approved bags are allowed for food and general waste. Unauthorized bags will be ignored by collection crews.

Official Links to Learn More

✅ All links tested and working as of August 1, 2025.

One Thing Worth Sharing

Most foreigners don’t break Korean trash rules out of disrespect — they just don’t know the rules exist. Sharing this guide might save someone from a fine (or a neighbor’s glare!).

A Last Line to Keep in Mind

In Korea, how you throw something away says a lot about who you are. Learn the system, respect the rules, and you’ll soon feel less like a guest — and more like a neighbor.

Korean Trash Rules: The Ultimate Foreigner’s Guide to Waste and Recycling in Korea (2025)