Seoul has 25 districts (gu). Collection days, times and large-waste booking are set by each district — but since 2025 the city has one shared standard for about 60 items people often get wrong, and BinSum’s item pages follow it.
Seoul-wide rules worth knowing
- One standard for confusing items (Aug 2025): for example aluminium foil, receipts and foil-lined delivery boxes go in the general waste bag; umbrellas, suitcases and duvets are large waste; toys with built-in batteries go to the small appliance box.
- Food waste: Seoul’s standard lists bones, shells, fruit pits, onion skins and tea bags as general waste, not food waste.
- Medicine: besides collection boxes, solid medicine (pills, powders) can go in a red post box in an envelope marked 폐의약품 — not liquids, eye drops or ointments.
- Help: the 120 Dasan Call Center (dial 120 in Seoul).
Find your district’s days and times
- Your building — most buildings post the collection days and the place to put rubbish out. Ask the building manager (관리실) if you cannot find it.
- Your district office website — search for 생활폐기물 배출 (household waste) and 대형폐기물 (large waste) with your district name.
- The national sorting site — 분리배출.kr (Korean) shows local rules and collection points for your location.
- Your community service centre (주민센터) — they sell special sacks and can explain local rules.
| District | Search for days and times | Search for large waste |
|---|---|---|
| 종로구Jongno-gu | ||
| 중구Jung-gu | ||
| 용산구Yongsan-gu | ||
| 성동구Seongdong-gu | ||
| 광진구Gwangjin-gu | ||
| 동대문구Dongdaemun-gu | ||
| 중랑구Jungnang-gu | ||
| 성북구Seongbuk-gu | ||
| 강북구Gangbuk-gu | ||
| 도봉구Dobong-gu | ||
| 노원구Nowon-gu | ||
| 은평구Eunpyeong-gu | ||
| 서대문구Seodaemun-gu | ||
| 마포구Mapo-gu | ||
| 양천구Yangcheon-gu | ||
| 강서구Gangseo-gu | ||
| 구로구Guro-gu | ||
| 금천구Geumcheon-gu | ||
| 영등포구Yeongdeungpo-gu | ||
| 동작구Dongjak-gu | ||
| 관악구Gwanak-gu | ||
| 서초구Seocho-gu | ||
| 강남구Gangnam-gu | ||
| 송파구Songpa-gu | ||
| 강동구Gangdong-gu |
Tap a search phrase to copy it, then paste it into Naver or Google to find your district’s official page.
The same everywhere in Korea
- General waste goes in volume-based bags (종량제 봉투) sold for your area.
- Food waste is separate — but bones, eggshells, shells and tea bags are not food waste.
- Recycling is free when sorted and clean; clear PET bottles are kept apart from other plastic.
- Large waste is registered and paid for; big appliances are collected free (1599-0903).
- Batteries, lamps, medicine and clothes have their own collection boxes.
Large waste in Seoul
Register the item with your district before putting it out — on the district website, at the community service centre, or through a booking app if your district uses one (many districts use apps such as 빼기 / Bbegi). Pay the fee, attach the sticker or write the booking number on the item, and put it out on the agreed day.
Korean you will need
Which days do we put rubbish out?
쓰레기는 무슨 요일에 내놓아요?
sseuregineun museun yoire naenoayo?
I want to throw away furniture. How do I register large waste?
가구를 버리고 싶어요. 대형폐기물 신고는 어떻게 해요?
gagureul beorigo sipeoyo. daehyeongpyegimul singoneun eotteoke haeyo?
Questions
When can I put out trash in Seoul?
Collection days and times in Seoul are set by each of its 25 districts. Check the notice in your building, ask the building manager, or look up your district office website. Many areas collect in the evening or overnight.
Can I use garbage bags from another city or district in Seoul?
No. Volume-based bags (종량제 봉투) are sold for a specific area; after moving to Seoul, buy the bags sold for your new district at a convenience store or supermarket.
How do I throw away furniture or a mattress in Seoul?
Register it as large waste (대형폐기물) with your district — online, by app, or at the community service centre (주민센터) — pay the fee, label the item and put it out on the agreed day. Big appliances such as fridges and washing machines are collected free: call 1599-0903.
Are bones and eggshells food waste in Seoul?
Usually not. Food waste is made into animal feed and compost, so most areas — including Seoul’s official standard — treat bones, shells, eggshells, fruit pits and tea bags as general waste. If your district says otherwise, follow your district.
Where do batteries and medicine go in Seoul?
Batteries go in battery collection boxes and medicine in medicine collection boxes — usually at the community service centre (주민센터), health centres and apartment complexes.
Sources
- Seoul Metropolitan Government — unified sorting standard for about 60 confusing items (Aug 2025)
- Seoul Media Hub — how to dispose of unused medicine (Mar 2026)
- Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment — household waste sorting site, with local rules by location (Korean)
- Seoul official website (www.seoul.go.kr)
Last checked October 13, 2026. BinSum is not a government website; your district office has the final word.