The rule
Korea’s national guideline gives plastic, styrofoam and cartons the same instruction: empty the contents and remove residue, for example by rinsing with water. Containers with stains or grease that won’t rinse out are commonly treated as general waste.
Part by part
| Part | Where it goes | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic container | Plastic | Rinsed. Heavily stained goes general |
| Lid film | Plastic film | If clean; with food on it, general |
| Sauce cup | Plastic | Small and dirty: general |
| Wooden chopsticks, toothpicks | General waste | Not food waste |
| Leftover food | Food waste | Bones and pits are general |
| Chicken / pizza box | Paper | Grease-soaked inner paper in the trash bag |
Quick rinse tips
- Fill the container with water right after eating, before sauce dries.
- Wipe grease with a paper towel first and you’ll use less water (the towel goes in general waste).
- Strain soup: solids to food waste, then drain as much liquid as you can.
Check in the app
Star what you throw out often
In Waste Sorting Guide, look up "Delivery food container" or "Instant rice bowl". The rice bowl entry says to remove leftover rice, rinse and recycle as plastic, with the lid film going separately with plastic film. Tap the star and it lands in Favorites.
Today’s list
On busy weeks, add items to the Disposal checklist from the item screen with Add to today’s list, then tick them off when you take the bins out.
FAQ
What about containers stained red?
If color remains after rinsing, follow your district’s rule. The app treats heavily greasy or sauce-soaked containers as general waste.
Lid and tub are different materials.
Sort each by material. The national guideline treats delivery containers by material: plastic, styrofoam, paper and so on.
Waste Sorting Guide - Recycle
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