# How Trash & Recycling Work in Korea: A Newcomer's Guide > Korea's trash system explained. Paid jongnyangje bags, recycling categories, food waste rules, and how to dispose of large items without a fine. Canonical: https://setkora.com/guides/trash-recycling-korea-guide (also in 15 languages: https://setkora.com/guides//trash-recycling-korea-guide) Korea separates household waste into four streams — general, food, recyclables and large items — and general waste must go out in the official paid bag (종량제 봉투) sold for your specific district, not in any plastic bag. Korea takes trash seriously. And it surprises almost every newcomer. You cannot use just any plastic bag: general waste goes in official paid bags, food waste is collected separately, and recycling is sorted by material. It feels complicated for about two weeks, then becomes automatic. This guide covers the four streams and the small habits that keep you from fines and awkward moments with neighbors. ## How many kinds of rubbish do I have to separate in Korea? Everything you throw away in Korea belongs to one of four streams. - **General waste (일반쓰레기)**: anything that can't be recycled and isn't food. Goes in an official paid bag (see below). - **Food waste (음식물쓰레기)**: collected separately, usually in a dedicated small bag or a shared bin with a card or chip system in apartment complexes. - **Recycling (재활용)**: paper, cardboard, plastic, PET bottles, glass, cans, and vinyl film, each sorted separately. - **Large items (대형폐기물)**: furniture and big appliances need a paid disposal sticker from your district office or its website before pickup. Most apartment buildings have a shared collection area with labeled bins; in low-rise neighborhoods you put bags out by the curb on set evenings. ## What is jongnyangje, and where do I buy the official bags? General waste must go in a **jongnyangje (종량제)** bag. A standardized bag you buy at convenience stores and supermarkets. Ask the cashier for a trash bag for your *district*, because bags are district-specific: a bag bought in one gu may not be accepted in another. They come in sizes like 10L, 20L and 50L. The price of the bag *is* the disposal fee. That's the whole system. Using a regular plastic bag instead can lead to your trash being refused or a fine, and in many neighborhoods someone will genuinely check. ## How do I throw away food waste correctly? Food waste is collected separately and turned into animal feed or compost, so the test is: **could an animal eat it?** Fruit peels, rice, and leftovers count. Bones, shells, eggshells, tea bags and fruit pits do *not*. They go in general waste. How you dispose of it depends on your building: many apartment complexes have a shared machine or bin opened with an RFID card that weighs your waste and bills the household; smaller buildings use small yellow food-waste bags sold at convenience stores. Drain liquids first. It reduces weight, smell, and cost. ## How do I sort recycling in Korea? Recycling is sorted by material, and the golden rule is **empty, rinse, and separate**. - **PET bottles**: remove the label and cap ring where possible; clear PET often has its own bin. - **Paper & cardboard**: flatten boxes and remove tape. - **Plastic containers**: rinse food residue; dirty plastic goes to general waste. - **Glass & cans**: rinse and separate. - **Vinyl film** (bags, wrappers): collected separately in many districts. Apartment complexes usually run recycling on set days of the week. Check the notice board in your building's collection area. The schedule is often posted in Korean, so a translation app helps the first time. ## How do I get rid of large items like a fridge or a sofa? To throw away a bed, sofa, fridge or washing machine, you buy a **disposal sticker (대형폐기물 스티커)** from your district office, its website, or sometimes a convenience store, attach it, and put the item at the designated spot. Fees vary by item and district, so check your local district's rate table before you plan a move-out. This is also why many people in Korea (locals and foreigners alike) prefer [renting appliances and furniture instead of buying](https://setkora.com/guides/rental-vs-buying-appliances-korea): when a contract ends or you leave Korea, the rental company handles collection, so there is no disposal sticker, no hauling, and no fine risk. If you're setting up a first home, our [first home setup checklist](https://setkora.com/guides/first-home-setup-korea-appliance-checklist) covers what most households actually need, and a food waste disposer (음식물처리기) is one of the rental categories on [SETKORA](https://setkora.com/products) if the food-waste routine isn't your thing. Large-item disposal is also a practical argument for renting rather than buying: at the end of a rental contract the item is collected by the rental company rather than disposed of by you. The collection terms differ by product and company, so confirm them for the specific item during consultation. ## FAQ **Q: What happens if I use a regular plastic bag for trash?** A: Collection crews can refuse the bag, and districts can issue fines for improper disposal. Neighbors and building managers do notice. Official jongnyangje bags are cheap and sold at every convenience store, so it's an easy habit to keep. **Q: Where do I buy trash bags and food waste bags?** A: Convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven) and supermarkets sell both. Ask for your district's bag. They're kept behind the counter in many stores. Bags from a different district may not be accepted where you live. **Q: How do I throw away a big appliance when I move out?** A: Buy a large-item disposal sticker from your district office or its website, attach it, and place the item at the designated collection spot. If the appliance is rented rather than owned, contact the rental company instead. Collection is part of the service, which is one reason renting is popular for shorter stays.