LIVING IN KOREA · TRASH
How to Sort Trash in Korea
New to Korea’s trash rules? Search an item to see where it goes and how to put it out, based on official Seoul and national government guides.
Search an item
Common questions
Commonly confused items
| Item | Goes in |
|---|---|
| Paper cup coated on both sides | Volume-based bag |
| Styrofoam with food on it | Volume-based bag |
| Eggshells | Volume-based bag |
| Batteries | Collection box |
| Milk carton | Recycling |
The five ways trash goes out in Korea
- Recycling: Put out with the sorted recyclables.
- Volume-based bag: General trash in the paid bag (종량제봉투).
- Special sack: Non-combustible waste in a special sack (특수규격마대).
- Bulky waste: Report and pay a fee before putting it out.
- Collection box: Separate collection box or bin.
Each result shows the Korean item name so you can match it with signs at your building’s collection point.
Frequently asked questions
Can paper cups be recycled in Korea?
Paper cups coated on both sides go in the volume-based trash bag (종량제봉투), according to Seoul’s sorting guide.
Are eggshells food waste?
No. Eggshells, shellfish shells, hard fruit shells, pits and bones go in general trash, not food waste.
What is a special sack (특수규격마대)?
A separate bag for non-combustible waste such as broken glass in large amounts, ceramics and tiles. Rules and where to buy them vary by district.
Do rules differ between neighborhoods?
Yes. Bag names and some disposal methods vary by city and district, so check your district office’s guide too.
More tools
Sources and last updated
- Seoul Metropolitan Government, Confusing recycling rules explained (updated 2025-08-06) (in Korean)
- Ministry of Environment, Recycling sorting guidelines (2018) (in Korean)
- Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment, Guidelines on separate collection of recyclables, Annex 1 (effective 2026-01-01) (in Korean)
Last updated: · 한국어로 보기