Garbage and Recycling
Figuring out how to dispose of garbage in Korea can be confusing. If you do not do this correctly, you could be subject to a fine. Garbage needs to be separated into four categories: (1) Common Garbage, (2) Food Waste, (3) Recycling and (4) Large Waste Objects.
Common Garbage (일반 쓰레기)
Common garbage is essentially anything that cannot be recycled and is not food waste. It needs to be placed in regulation garbage bags. Inedible things like bones, seeds, pits, thick peels, and shells are also considered common garbage.
Each district of Gwangju has its own color garbage bag:
Nam Gu - Yellow
Buk Gu - Orange
Seo Gu - White (or blue)
Gwangsan Gu - Pink
Dong Gu - Purple
These bags can be purchased from supermarkets and convenience stores in your area. They come in different sizes measured by liters. If you are shopping local, they will have the exact color you need. At larger marts, they will ask you which neighborhood you live in. To ask for the bags, you can say "쓰레기 봉투 주세요" (Sseuraegi bongtu jusaeyo). They will ask you what size and how many. Garbage is collected frequently and there will be a designated area outside your apartment to place it.
Food Waste (음식물 쓰레기)
Food waste consists of any discarded food. It does not include eggs shells or animal bones - these should be put in common garbage. To avoid rotting, it is advisable to store your food waste in the freezer before disposing of it.
Disposal of food waste depends on the building in which you live. Some buildings have a communal food waste bin and in others you need to dispose of your food waste individually. In the latter case, you might need to buy food waste stickers to put on your food waste bag (any plastic bag is acceptable) or bucket. In some cases, if your food waste does not have this sticker, it will not be collected.
These stickers can be purchased from supermarkets and convenience stores in your area. To ask for the stickers, you can say "음식물 스티커 주세요" (Eumshik mul seutikeo jusaeyo). There will be a designated area outside our building to put your food waste.
Recyclable Items (재활용 쓰레기)
Most apartment buildings have recycling bins outside that you should place your sorted recycling into. Each bin is for a different type of recycling. If you are unsure of what goes where, take a look at what is there already. If your building does not have recycling bins, then recyclables should be sorted, put into separate plastic bags and placed in the designated area for collection. Some neighborhoods will also have a communal area for sorting recycling called "재활용 동네마당."
Here is a comprehensive overview of how to handle recycling (Korean). Your browser's built-in translator should produce a faithful interpretation of the page's contents.
Recycling is sorted into the following categories:
Paper: uncoated newspaper, magazines, paper bags, etc.
Corruggated paper: cardboard, etc.
Paper "packs": juice boxes, milk boxes, plastic-coated paper boxes, etc.
Glass: wine bottles, medicine bottles, jars, etc.
Opaque Plastics: shampoo bottles, etc.
Clear PET Plastics: water bottles,
Metals: beverage cans, spray cans, bottle caps, etc.
Vinyl: plastic shopping bags, bubble wrap, etc.
Please ensure any items with liquid or residue on them are properly cleaned before disposal.
Clothing/ Other items
You may want to recycle clothes that you no longer wear or items you do not have space to bring back home when you leave Korea. There are a number of options to consider:
Donate them to the Gwangju Freecycle
The Gwangju Freecycle is an initiative to reduce the amount of waste generated by expats who leave Korea. It is a bi-annual event held at the GIC where anybody can donate and anybody can take for free.
Advertise on the Gwangju Flea Market Page
The Gwangju Flea Market is a Facebook group where people can buy and sell secondhand items.
Donate to Beautiful Store (아름다운 가게)
Areumdaun Kage accepts most gently used products. You can get tax credits for your donations.
Donate to H&M
H&M has a worldwide initiative to reduce waste by donating and re-purposing old clothes. You can bring any brand of clothing in any condition to the Gwangju H&M and you will receive one coupon per bag donated. One coupon will entitle you to 5000 won off if you spent 40 000 won at any H&M store in Korea.
Place them in the green bins
You will note there are green bins dotted around Korea. These are donation bins for things such as clothes, blankets, bags, etc. Find the nearest one to you and place your items in the bin.
Large Waste Objects
For appliances, you can make an appointment for free disposal by visiting https://www.15990903.or.kr/.
For large items that aren't considered appliances, you can use the yeogiro webapp at https://www.yeogiro24.co.kr/ or visit your district office in person and ask for a large-waste-disposal sticker. Price depends on size and weight.