Confused by Korean Trash Bags? A Survivor’s Recycling Guide

You just moved in, bought some snacks, and now you have trash. You go to throw it away, and you see a CCTV camera and a warning sign.

Korea is extremely strict about recycling. If you throw trash in a random black bag, you can be fined up to 1 million KRW.

Here is the color-coded guide to survival.

1. General Waste (Ilban Ssseugi / 일반쓰레기)

• The Bag: You must buy specific Standard Plastic Bags (Jongnyangje / 종량제) from the nearest convenience store (CU, GS25).

• Color: Usually White or Pink (varies by district/Gu). You cannot use a Mapo-gu bag in Gangnam-gu!

• What goes in: Dirty tissues, wrappers, anything that isn't recyclable or food.

2. Food Waste (Eumsik-mul / 음식물)

• The Bag: Usually Yellow (small bags).

• The Rule: "If an animal can eat it, it's food waste."

  • Banana peel? Food.

  • Chicken bone? General Waste (Animals can't eat hard bones).

  • Eggshell? General Waste.

3. Recyclables (Jae-hwal-yong / 재활용)

• No Bag Needed: Usually, you separate them into designated bins in your building: Glass, Plastic (PET), Cans, Paper.

• Clean it: You must rinse out yogurt cups and remove labels from bottles.

When to Throw Out?

If you live in a Villa/One-room, there are specific days (e.g., "Mon/Wed/Fri after 6 PM"). Ask your landlord: "Eonje beory-eo-yo?" (When do I throw it out?).

It sounds complicated, but you'll get used to it in a week!