Daily Life · Updated June 2026
Korea Garbage Sorting Rules in English (Don't Get Fined ₩1,000,000)
Korean garbage rules are strict. Use the wrong bag? Fined. Mix recyclables? Fined. Put food waste in regular trash? Believe it or not, fined. Here's how to do it right.
The 4 Categories
- 종량제 봉투 (Regular trash) — goes in PAID garbage bags
- 재활용 (Recyclables) — FREE, sorted by type
- 음식물 쓰레기 (Food waste) — separate container/bag
- 대형 폐기물 (Large items) — requires paid sticker
1. Regular Trash (종량제 봉투)
You MUST buy official garbage bags from convenience stores or supermarkets. They're translucent with your district name printed on them.
- Prices: ₩400~800 per bag depending on size (10L~50L)
- Different bags for each district — Mapo bags can't be used in Gangnam
- Buy at GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, or local supermarkets
- Only non-recyclable waste goes in here
2. Recycling (재활용)
Recyclables go out for free — just sort them correctly:
| Category | What Goes In | Must Do |
|---|---|---|
| 종이 (Paper) | Cardboard, newspapers, paper bags | Flatten boxes, remove tape |
| 플라스틱 (Plastic) | PET bottles, containers | Rinse, remove labels, crush |
| 캔 (Cans) | Aluminum, steel cans | Rinse, crush |
| 유리 (Glass) | Bottles, jars | Rinse, remove caps |
| 비닐 (Vinyl/Plastic bags) | Clean plastic bags, wrap | Bundle together |
| 스티로폼 (Styrofoam) | Clean styrofoam only | Remove labels/tape |
3. Food Waste (음식물 쓰레기)
All food waste goes separately. Your building will have one of these systems:
- RFID machine — tap your card, dump food waste, charged by weight
- Designated food waste bag — small yellow/green bags from convenience stores
- Communal bin — shared container in your building
NOT food waste: bones, shells, fruit pits, corn cobs, tea bags, nut shells. These go in regular trash.
Easy rule: if a pig can't eat it, it's not food waste.
4. Large Items (대형 폐기물)
Furniture, mattresses, electronics — you can't just leave these outside.
- Visit your district (구청) website or app
- Apply for 대형폐기물 disposal
- Pay online (₩3,000~30,000 depending on item)
- Print sticker or get a number
- Place item outside on designated collection day
When to Take Out Trash
- Apartments: Anytime (to the building's waste room, usually B1)
- Villas/OneRooms: Usually after 7 PM, designated spot in front of building
- Recycling day: Check your building's schedule (usually 2~3x per week)
Fines
Seoul actively enforces garbage rules with CCTV and inspectors:
- Wrong bag or no bag: ₩100,000~1,000,000
- Dumping at wrong time: ₩100,000
- Mixing recyclables in regular trash: ₩100,000