Housing
Sorting rubbish in Korea: how it works (example: Seoul-Seongbuk)
As of: October 2026 · Leben in Korea
Waste separation is taken seriously in Korea. Each district sets its own rules; the figures here apply to Seongbuk-gu in Seoul. The principle is similar everywhere, though. Ask your district or your building management what applies to you.
General waste: official bags only
General waste goes into the official rubbish bags (종량제 봉투, "PAYT bags") that you buy in your district. Prices in Seongbuk: 10 l ₩250, 20 l ₩490, 50 l ₩1,250.
Some things you might take for food waste also belong in general waste: animal bones, tea bags, eggshells and fruit pits.
Food waste
Food waste such as fruit, vegetables, noodles and lean meat goes into separate food waste bags, for example 1 l for ₩100 or 3 l for ₩300. Apartment complexes have their own bins.
Recycling
You sort paper, metal, glass bottles and plastic into clear bags or bundle them together.
Construction debris, glassware and non-recyclable plastic need special bags (10 l ₩1,020).
When does the rubbish go out?
You put the rubbish out in front of the building on collection day; collection starts at 19:00 in the evening. Please don't put rubbish out the day before a public holiday (except Sunday).
Electrical appliances and bulky waste
Large appliances over one metre (fridge, washing machine, TV) are picked up for free by a service: 1599-0903 or www.15990903.or.kr.
You register bulky waste such as furniture in advance, in Seongbuk online at smartclean.sb.go.kr.
Checklist
- Buy your district's official rubbish bags
- Bones, tea bags, eggshells into general waste
- Recycling in clear bags
- Ask your building management about collection day and time
Sources
As of: October 2026. General information, not legal or tax advice. No guarantee; the official authorities have the final word.