The four streams
| Stream | What to know |
|---|---|
| General waste | Only in your local government’s volume-based trash bag, sold at convenience stores and supermarkets. Nationwide since 1995 |
| Food waste | Collected separately in food waste bins. Bones, shells and pits are general waste |
| Recyclables | Paper, plastic, film, cans, glass — sorted and rinsed. Clear PET bottles separately |
| Bulky / special | Furniture is reported and paid for; batteries and medicine go to dedicated bins |
Trash bags are specific to each city or district. A bag from another district generally isn’t accepted.
Your building’s rules
Days, times and drop-off spots vary by building and neighborhood. Apartment complexes usually have set recycling days and a sorting area; villas and houses often put waste out on the street on set days. Your landlord or building manager is the best source.
Words you will see
| Romanized | Meaning |
|---|---|
| jongnyangje bongtu | Volume-based trash bag (general waste) |
| eumsingmul sseuregi | Food waste |
| jaehwaryong | Recycling |
| daehyeong pyegimul | Bulky waste (needs reporting) |
Look items up in English
English interface
Waste Sorting Guide switches between Korean and English under Language in Settings. In English, item names, disposal steps and notes are all in English. Search matches both English and Korean names.
Nine categories
The Categories tab mirrors how Korean bins are labeled: Plastic, Cans & Metal, Glass, Paper, Plastic film, Styrofoam, Food waste, General waste, Bulky / Special.
Collection day reminders
Set a Collection day reminder in Settings with separate days and times for recycling, food waste and general waste. Item lookups work offline, which helps before your phone plan is set up.
FAQ
What happens if I use a regular plastic bag?
It can be treated as illegal dumping and fined. Buy your district’s bags from the start.
Does the app cover my city’s exact rules?
It covers national standard rules for common household items. For days, places and bags, follow your district.
Waste Sorting Guide - Recycle
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