Cheat sheet
Korea Rubbish Cheat Sheet 분리배출 한눈에
One page for the fridge door — in English with the Korean words. Landlords: print it for your tenants.
General waste bag
종량제 봉투- Tissues, receipts, wet wipes
- Bones, shells, eggshells, fruit pits
- Tea bags, onion and garlic skins
- Rubber gloves, toothbrushes, pens, toys
- Cling film, foil, foam fruit nets
- Small amounts of broken glass, wrapped
Food waste
음식물- Leftover food — drained
- Soft fruit and vegetable scraps
- Rinse salty food (kimchi)
- NO bones, shells, pits, tea bags, plastic
Recycling — empty, rinse, sort
분리배출- Paper: dry, tape off, boxes flat
- Cartons: rinse, open, dry
- Cans: empty, crush
- Glass bottles: caps off
- Clear PET: label off, crush, cap on — separate
- Plastic & vinyl: clean only
- Styrofoam: clean, tape off
Special boxes
특수 수거함- Batteries & power banks → battery box
- Fluorescent lamps & LED bulbs → lamp box
- Medicine → medicine box (주민센터)
- Clean clothes & shoes → clothing bin
Appliances — free
폐가전- Fridge, washer, TV, aircon: 1599-0903
- Small appliances: 5+ items, or the e-waste box
Large waste — register & pay
대형폐기물- Furniture, mattress, suitcase, umbrella (Seoul)
- Electric mat, massage chair
- Register online or at the 주민센터
binsum.kr · Rules differ by district — check your building notice. Last checked October 13, 2026.