Pusanweb Guide to Postal Services

The Waste disposal system in Korea can be complex and difficult to get used to at first, but provides and excellent means of recycling and being earth friendly. To reduce waste, a payment system in proportion to the amount of waste is now carried out across the country. Standard waste plastic bag is used to pay for waste disposal according to actual waste generated. Wastes are classified into different categories, namely general waste, recyclable waste, wet trash, and large quantity waste.

General waste
You should pack the waste in a  special plastic bag which can be purchased from nearby supermarkets.  There are three types of standard bags. White bags are for domestic use, for single unit houses or housing groups (apartments, housing complexes) and have four different sizes of 5, 10, 20 and 50 liters. Light blue bags are for public use such as in public sanitation. Their sizes are 50, 70 and 100 liters. Orange bags are for businesses with sizes of 20, 50 and 100  liters.

Without using the plastic bag, these wastes are collected separately :  recyclable waste - two times a week ( Tue., Thur.) briquette ash - one times a week (Sat.) Collecting time and place is designated according to region along with the operation of the garbage trucks.

At major apartment complexs, wet trash (old food and easily biodegradable materials) should be separated out and can usually be deposited in the appropriate container at any time.
Separate collection of recyclable waste is an effective means of reducing wastes. Recyclable goods are divided into five  different groups: paper, glass, scrap iron, cans and plastic. Apartment residents separate them in different collection boxes  (according to items) at all times. Individual residents gather recyclable items at designated places twice every week.  Classification and handling are as follows: 

• Paper - Tie together newspapers, calendars, magazines, or notebooks in 30cm bundles. Thoroughly clean milk  cartons with water, unfold, and keep them tied together. 
• Glass - Uncapped wine, soft drink and medicine bottles should be cleaned and kept for recycling purposes. 
• Scrap iron - Metal chairs, wire, stainless steel, etc, should be collected separately and kept. 
• Cans - Cans for beer, soft drinks and powdered milk should be pressed down before being kept. 
• Plastics - Detergent and shampoo containers should be kept after thorough cleaning with water.

Large waste such as old furniture