Waste Treatment

Volume-based Waste Fee System

Korea has a“Volume-based Waste Fee System,” which aims at effectively recycle natural resources and separate waste collection effectively. If you do not separate the trash you generate, you are obliged to pay a fine. 
Waste is divided into regular garbage, food waste, recyclable items and large waste objects.
With regard to when and how to collect and separate wastes, ask your neighbors, your city or neighborhood government authorities, or the management office in your apartment.

Purchasing Garbage Bags

In cities, regulation garbage bags may be purchased at supermarkets or convenience stores in your neighborhood. In rural areas, they may be purchased at the local government offices or through the local women's association (bunyeohoe).
There are generally six or seven sizes; 5, 10, 20, 50, 75 and 100 liters, and prices vary according to size.

Disposal Procedures

1. Regular garbage

Use regulation bags and place them outside. Ask the building owner or a neighbor about where to place them.
If you don't use regulation bags, your garbage will not be collected.

2. Food waste

Remove all moisture and anything that cannot be eaten by domestic animals, then use a regulation bag for disposal.
In areas where there are collection boxes dedicated for food waste disposal, you do not need to use regulation bags.
Food waste produced by families and restaurants have a high moisture contents, making incineration difficult, and it still produces exudate after being placed in the landfill, which in turn pollutes water resources.

3. Recyclable Items

Materials that are recyclable such as plastic, cans, bottles, and paper should be put in a clear plastic bag or a sandbag-like bag and put in the appropriate spot on collection day. Spray cans, cooking-gas cans, and other such items can explode, so put a hole in these to make sure they are completely empty.

• Paper : Tie newspapers, calendars, magazines or notebooks with a piece of string (Check boxes to make sure they are empty.)
• Glasses : Wash the inside of bottles of wine, soda, or medicine before recycling.
• Scrap iron : Metals such as steel chairs, German silver, stainless steel, etc, should be collected separately.
• Cans : Compress beer cans, soda cans, or powdered milk cans before recycling.
• Plastic : Wash shampoo or detergent out of containers.

4. Large Waste Objects

Televisions, washing machines, other home electronics and other large trash items of garbage that cannot be placed in bags should be placed in the collection spot after attaching a sticker purchased at your local office or where you purchase your regulation bags.

• Disposable fee
  • - Refrigerator : 4,000 ~ 8,000 won
  • - TV : 3,000 ~ 5,000 won
  • - Washing machine : 3,000 won
  • - Closet : 10,000 ~ 15,000 won
  • - Desk : 4,000 ~ 7,000 won
  • - Piano : 15,000 won

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• Division : Information Management Office
• Contact : +82-62-613-4331