A Foreigners worst Fear in South Korea: Trash
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A Foreigners worst Fear in South Korea: Trash

  • Writer: Sarah Matumbura
    Sarah Matumbura
  • Jul 9
  • 10 min read

Updated: Jul 24

By: Sarah Matumbura

"It's all messy: The hair. The bed. The words. The heart. Life."

In the picture above, you can see me holding a container. I had been carrying that container around for the past four hours because I wasn't able to find a trash can (and I was scared of littering). I was tired, exhausted, stressed, and annoyed which is why I decided —it was time to master the Korean disposal system.
In the picture above, you can see me holding a container. I had been carrying that container around for the past four hours because I wasn't able to find a trash can (and I was scared of littering). I was tired, exhausted, stressed, and annoyed which is why I decided —it was time to master the Korean disposal system.


In my experience, there is nothing a foreigner in South Korea hates more than accumulating disposable items. These scary, hard-to-get-rid-of things are known as trash and recycling. What’s terrifying about these things is that it’s incredibly difficult to dispose of. The disposal system here can be confusing especially if you are new to the country. I mean, where does anything actually go? And yes, there are penalties for not following the rules. In fact, the only reason I know this is because a friend of mine was fined 80,000 KRW during her first week here for disposing trash incorrectly. Although trash in Korea can be intimidating, here are some tips and advice that I've learned to help with sorting and managing garbage.


PRO TIP: If you ever get fined for trash or recycling violations, don't panic! GoWonderfully can help you understand the regulations and pay the fine even if you don't have a local bank account or are struggling with language differences.


How it all Started


POV: Choosing the cutest cafe's because I'm forced to dining in :>
POV: Choosing the cutest cafe's because I'm forced to dining in :>

During my first few weeks in Seoul, I had developed many strategies to help me “handle” the trash mess. None of them were actually good strategies—they were just barely manageable. The first strategy was to simply avoid accumulating disposable items whenever possible. So, if I went to a café or had fast food at a restaurant, the goal was to eat it there. No excuses. If I wanted a smoothie, I had to make sure I had time to drink it at the café, because I had no idea what I was going to do with the cup afterward. If I wanted kimbap, I had to eat it at the restaurant. I think I took maybe two meals to-go during this time in South Korea.


Pro tip: Looking for something yummy in Seoul? Check out this article about one of South Korea's best desserts Bingsu. It's the perfect summer treat to help cool you off when it's hot outside.

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The second strategy I came up with was: make just what you need. If I ever found myself in the dreadful situation of having to fend for myself, or as some might call it, cooking, I would only make exactly what I planned to eat. No more, no less. People have all kinds of rules in their homes, but the rule in mine was simple: absolutely no leftovers. Ever. Honestly, I really didn’t know how to properly throw anything away especially food waste. So why, in my right mind, would I intentionally create food waste?


In the end though, I realized neither of these strategies were very sustainable. Because of the constant buildup of trash, the stress of dealing with leftovers, and my refusal to cook anything that might result in them, I realized what I really needed to do was overcome my fears and learn how to properly deal with this mess.


The following is what I learned - and if I can become a trash-tossing, garbage-sorting pro… literally anyone can!


Food Waste


South Korea has four main categories for discarding waste: food waste, recyclables, non-recyclables (regular trash), and strange items. The country has an extensive recycling system aimed at reducing waste and promoting environmental sustainability.

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Food waste is defined as anything edible that you chose not to eat. This includes leftovers, cooking scraps, and takeout remains. The key thing to remember is: it must be edible. Items like bones, eggshells, and non-edible food parts should not go into the food waste bin. Often, food waste in South Korea is recycled into fertilizer, energy, or livestock feed—so it needs to be something animals could actually consume.


South Korea began separating food waste nearly 20 years ago when the government stopped allowing food waste to be sent to landfills. Since then, this initiative has made about 95-98% of food waste recyclable, making the system both eco-friendly and efficient.


Want to learn more? Read these two articles about Korea's history with food waste.


To dispose of food waste properly:

  • You will need to go to a nearby convenience store and tell the clerks you want to buy food waste bags. They are usually not sitting out or on the shelves, so you need to ask.

  • Each district typically has its own designated bags, so don't go to just any convenience store. You'll need to buy them near where you live.

  • Beware, if you don't use these bags, you could be fined. There are literally people who make it their job to examine other peoples trash and report them.


Protip: If you're worried about not being able to find the right store or communicate with the store clerks in Korean, GoWonderfully can help! As an English-speaking on-demand personal assistant service, they are great at research and talking to locals for you.


The bags are usually yellow but can vary in color depending on the district you live in and typically come between 3 to 20 liter sizes, so just choose the size that works best for your needs. Since food waste bags are only for edible waste, they can take a while to fill. I've learned many people store their food waste in the freezer to avoid unpleasant smells. Honestly, the system is genius. In many areas, residents are charged based on the weight of the food waste, meaning the heavier the bag, the more it costs to dispose of it. This naturally encourages people to waste less food not only because it helps the environment, but also because wasting food literally costs money.


Also, food waste can only be picked up at certain times, so make sure you’re disposing of it at the appropriate time and place. This helps keep the neighborhood clean, odor-free, and lowers your chance of getting fined. Depending on your residence you can call your landlord, building manager or realtor for all details.


Pro tip: Not comfortable calling your landlord? GoWonderfully can talk to them on your behalf.

Depending on your district, some trash bags may come with an English translation :)
Depending on your district, some trash bags may come with an English translation :)

Recycling

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Next up is recycling. In most areas, recycling can be disposed of in an appropriate recycling bin or in a clear plastic bag. For some homes you can just place your recycled items in a plastic bag in front of your building. In other apartment complexes there may be designated disposal areas. Some waste bags also tell you where to discard items, but if you are ever unsure, it's best to ask your landlord or building manager. Keep in mind, you should always separate your recycling into different categories, including glass, styro-foam, plastic, and metal.


LOTTE BEVERAGE
LOTTE BEVERAGE

Glass


ERP glass bottles are marked and recyclable. However, if the bottles are broken, they cannot be recycled. Instead, wrap them in newspaper and dispose of them with general (non-recyclable) waste. Before recycling any glass bottles, make sure to empty, clean, and dry them properly. Please note that the following cannot be recycled as glass: colored glass products, crystal, light bulbs, vases, china and kitchenware.




BAIXI INDUSTRY
BAIXI INDUSTRY

Cans


When recycling cans, make sure they are clean and free of plastic labels (refer to the picture on the left, if applicable). If there is a label, remove it before recycling. Always rinse out any food or liquid residue to avoid contamination and unpleasant odors. Gas cans can also be recycled, but they must be completely empty and have a hole poked in them before being placed in the recycling bin.





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Paper


In most cases, paper can be recycled. This includes items such as paper cups, newspapers, receipts, and many other paper products. Unfortunately, if any of the paper is stained with food, it can no longer be recycled, so be careful not to recycle contaminated paper. Make sure all paper is flattened, clean, and properly disposed of. This also applies to cartons like milk containers and toilet paper rolls.





Arisu
Arisu

Plastic


Most plastic containers can be recycled in South Korea. Just make sure to remove any parts that can’t be recycled, such as labels, stickers, and sometimes even bottle caps. Korea has been developing bottles that are 100% recyclable, with no labels—instead, the company name is imprinted directly onto the bottle. This includes containers for everything from drinks to laundry detergent and even vinyl packaging. Be sure to check your district’s local guidelines for how to properly dispose of clear PET bottles.


Fun fact: In public areas, plastic containers are the second easiest items to discard.



MRC Electronics
MRC Electronics

Sytrofoam


White styrofoam can generally be recycled. If you received it from electronic purchases, you can typically return it to the store where the item was bought. If that's not an option, you can recycle it at home through regular recycling methods. However, only white styrofoam can be recycled—colored styrofoam cannot. It must also be clean and free of stickers, labels, or food stains.




Recycling and Disposing Other Items (Electronics, Large Items, etc.)


This section covers miscellaneous items—these are either items that require an extra step for disposal or are not considered general trash.

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Electronics: For smaller electronic devices like laptops and computers, you can usually return them to the store when you purchased a new one. If that’s not possible, you can call your district office to schedule a pickup. The same applies to larger electronics such as TVs and refrigerators. You will be given a sticker that you attach to the items and also told where to leave them outside. Pickup fees may vary depending on the size of the item and your district.


Protip: Again, GoWonderfully can call the office and schedule a pickup for you. They can also help you pay the pickup fee online, send you the required sticker, tell you exactly where to place your items. If you have really big heavy items they can also find people to move them for you.


Batteries: Some convenience stores have designated areas for battery disposal.


Clothes/Fabrics: If possible, try donating clothes before throwing them away—one person’s trash is another’s treasure. If donation isn’t an option, most districts have bins specifically for discarding clothing, bags, shoes and fabric items.


Furniture: To dispose of furniture, call your district office to schedule a pickup.


If you want to learn more, check out this article for more information about getting rid of large items.

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General Waste


The last category of trash is general waste. This includes anything that is not food waste or recyclable. Try your best not to place food waste or recyclables in general trash, as improper disposal can result in fines. In summary, general waste refers to everything that hasn’t been mentioned in the sections above. This includes sanitary items, diapers, and anything stained with food (not the food itself). General waste bags can be purchased at your nearest convenience store. Like with buying food waste bags, simply go up to the counter and ask the cashier for a general waste bag. Make sure you're buying the correct bags for your district, as they can vary by location.


If you're unsure whether something belongs in general waste, ask yourself: Can this be eaten? Can it be recycled in any way? Is it electronic or a large item? If the answer is no, it’s most likely general trash.


Public Trash and Recycling Bins


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Lastly, if you ever find yourself looking for a trash can while walking around the city, your best bet is to find them near bus stops or inside subway stations. Korea has a “no food on buses” rule, so trash cans have been installed near many bus stops to help prevent littering. Subway stations also typically have trash bins available. You can often find trash cans in restaurants as well, especially in fast food places. Whenever I have trash on hand, I usually head to the nearest Starbucks or fast food spot and this almost always works.


Last Pro Tip: Need a housekeeper? GoWonderfully you can help with this too. Not only can a housekeeper clean your home, but they'll also take out the trash and recycling!


And with all this, I hope that no one will ever be able to trash talk your garbage disposal skills again.


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GoWonderfully is staffed with bilingual personal assistants dedicated to helping foreigners save time and reduce hassle. Our time-based service

offers affordable support charged by the minute - with no monthly membership, no commitments, no hidden transaction fees and you can

cancel anytime. Chat instantly with professional assistants to get anything done quickly and seamlessly.


GoWonderfully is the best on-demand English-speaking virtual assistant service in South Korea. Serving the expat community for nearly 10 years we've maintained the highest customer ratings on both Google and Facebook.


Don't let language barriers or unfamiliar surroundings hold you back from getting the most out of your time in South Korea. Let GoWonderfully help you save time and make things easier.

 

Regarding our pricing, we charge for the time taken working on your request by the minute, for as low as 1250 KRW per minute, depending on your preferred pricing package. If interested in our service, you can reach us on Facebook, Kakao Talk, WhatsApp, Instagram or Email. 


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Annyeonghaseyo :) My name is Sarah Matumbura and I'm current a rising senior studying Criminal Justice and Accounting with a minor in Philosophy at Hartwick College. I'm also currently a marketing intern at GoWonderfully. There is so much happening in South Korea all the time, but I find it's important to stop and look at the sunsets too. Now that I've been here for 6 weeks I took a break from all the tourist attractions and started to notice the little things. The intentional trees planted in the city, the small street gyms, and the art all around Seoul. Even with all the busyness around me I've learned to slow down and take it one day, no, one step at a time. Wow, isn't Seoul stunning from sunrise to sunset?

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