How do trash, recycling and food waste work in Korea?

Household waste is split into general waste (in official paid bags), food waste and recyclables. Bags, collection days and times differ by district and building, so check your own district's rules first. What to do 1. General waste: buy your district's official volume-based bags at a supermarket or convenience store. Don't put food waste or recyclables in them. 2. Food waste: drain the liquid, then use food waste bags or your building's food waste bin. 3. Recyclables: sort paper, plastics, cans and glass bottles, and plastic bags and film. Empty containers; dry and flatten plastic bottles and cans. 4. Bulky items like furniture or appliances: report them first on your district office website or at the community service center, pay the fee and attach the sticker. 5. Put trash out only on your district's days and hours, at the designated spot. Good to know • Breaking the rules, such as putting trash out at the wrong time or without an official bag, can be fined. • Apartments often have their own sorting area and schedule. Ask your landlord, building manager or neighbors. Official sources • Seoul Foreigner Portal – Garbage Disposal: https://global.seoul.go.kr/hmpg/finf/elsi/wast/contPageDetail.do?conts_no=9B31E123320D4935BD07B1D413DF0035&lang=en • Danuri – Housing Culture (garbage collection): https://k-guide.liveinkorea.kr/ENG/1163/contents.do Checked by the Verihood team on October 3, 2026. Rules and fees change, so confirm with the official source before you act.