Korean Job Discussion Forums

[crabstix]

I am new to Korea and I don't know how the garbage disposal think works. What do I throw in the white bags? And What do I throw in the orange ones?

[losing_touch]

This would all depend on where you live. I use pink bags for my regular garbage.

[CeleryMan]

Louis V lined trash bags... only in Korea!

[crabstix]

I am in the Nowon-gu area. Northern Seoul. I have seen some white bags and orange bags.

[waseige1]

For my local neighborhood, my co-teacher translated the front of the bag. They pick up trash 5 days a week. Each day, you put different things in the bags. One day is paper. One day is plastic. One day is bones and shells. Finally there is a general waste day where I put in the non-recycles. There are also tax stamps in my area you are supposed to put on the bag if you throw away any food.

My guess is you will need a translation off of your bags.

[JerBear]

Food waste (with as much water squeezed out as possible) goes in the little yellow bags (perhaps they're orange in your neighborhood).

The white bags are for non-recyclable waste that's also non-food: For instance, plastic food wrappers, old ink pens, discarded clothing items, etc...

Recyclables (such as plastic and glass beverage containers, newspapers and other recyclable paper and anything else you can think of that's recyclable) can go in just standard shopping bags from any corner mart or department store but should contain only recyclables of a particular category. For instance, a back full of newspapers plus a bag full of coke bottles. Don't mix your papers and your bottles. A little old lady or man will come by separately from the garbage truck to pick up recyclables.

Only warning: Don't throw any recyclables away in the non-recyclable garbage. This can result in a surprisingly steep fine.

PS If you're unsure where/how to throw a particular item away, don't be shy about asking one of your Korean coteachers. They'll either tell you, figure it out or they may even throw it away for you.

[Straphanger]

OP, 100% of the above ^^^^ information is completely worthless. It's different everywhere. Ask your co-teacher or someone at the security office.

[JerBear]

[Straphanger]

[JerBear]

[JJJ]

Every single area in Seoul and the rest of Korea is different. Why?? Who knows, maybe it's a make work project or something. In my area, garbage pick up is Sunday, Tues. and Thurs. in the evenings. We only use orange bags for our "garbage", put out paper, plastic, cans in regular shopping bags, separated and tied up, and compost in a smelly green bin.

I can't use my school's orange bags because the print is different and is for a different area. They won't take it, I tried. So, ask your co-teacher or local grocery store clerk or just step outside your apartment and take a look at the bags. Take a picture with your phone camera if your must and show it to your neighbourhood grocer. They will have the bags for you.

[loggerhead007]

Wait until late at night and just dump your crap. They'll sort it for you.

[Rusty Shackleford]

Trash is a major f@#$ing hassle here. I'm willing to bet it all ends up in the same place anyway.

[Straphanger]

[nobbyken]

All of South Korea is the same,
and all of South Korea is a little different.
I've noticed this about most things.