Disposing of food waste

Food waste must be separated. Put in a general bag, it will not be collected.

Ways to dispose (varies by area)

1. Food waste bags — bought at convenience stores and supermarkets
2. RFID bins — tap a card or chip; you are charged by weight. Common in apartments.
3. Dedicated bins — in detached-house areas

Not food waste (put in general rubbish)

• Bones, clam shells, crab and prawn shells
• Egg shells
• Hard fruit stones (peach, persimmon, mango)
• Onion and garlic skins, corn husks
• Tea bags, coffee grounds (varies by area)
• Plastic, toothpicks, chopsticks

The test is "could an animal eat it". Food waste is turned into feed and compost.

Steps

1. Drain the liquid. Charges are by weight and it smells less.
2. Remove plastic, bones and foreign objects.
3. Put it in the bag or bin.
4. Put it out at the set time.

Where to go

• The cleaning and environment department of your city or district
• Your apartment's management office
• 120 (Seoul) or your local main number
• 1345 · 1577-1366 interpretation

Questions people ask

Where do I get an RFID card? From the management office in apartments, or the community centre for detached houses.

It smells terrible in summer. Many people drain it, freeze it, and put it out on collection day.

What if I put bones in food waste? Collection may be refused or a fine issued. Bones go in the pay-as-you-throw bag.

What about kimchi or soup? Drain as much liquid as possible and put in only the solids.

Take care

Never put food waste down the toilet or sink. Blocked pipes mean repair costs, and it can be charged to you as tenant negligence.

Related

garbage-rules · recycling · apartment-rules

Source

Ministry of Environment www.me.go.kr / As of 2026-08