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How to throw away pills and capsules in Korea

알약aryak

Short answer: Medicine collection box (폐의약품 수거함).

Where it goes

Medicine collection box폐의약품 수거함
  1. Keep pills in their pharmacy bag; leave blister packs whole and only remove the paper box.
  2. Put them in a medicine collection box (주민센터, district office, health centre).
  3. In Seoul, solid medicine can also go in a red post box, in an envelope marked 폐의약품.

Medicine must not go in the bin or down the toilet — it pollutes water and soil.

About this bin

Medicine goes in medicine collection boxes at community service centres, district offices and health centres. Read the full guide →

Ask in Korean

Show this to the building manager or a neighbour: 이거 어디에 버려요? — “Where do I throw this away?”

Sources

Last checked October 13, 2026. Rules can differ by district.

Rules in your city

Collection days, times and large-waste booking differ by city and district.

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