Korean Job Discussion Forums

aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

Y'know, sometimes there's a bit of drinking that goes along with living here. Beer bottles, soju bottles, cans... I love 'em to death. When they're full. I know back home you can make a little coin returning your empties to the beer store/corner store. I've asked many Koreans about returning the old bottles, but they're mum. Hmmm, I certainly notice, whenever I deliver the bottles to the apartment recycling bins outside, that there's a gang of halmonies waiting to pounce on those goodies, those bottles and cans. Where do they take 'em? What do they do with 'em? I'm not trying to put the old cronies out of a job, but I'm curious: can I return my bottles?

mokpochica · Joined: 21 Jan 2003 Location: Ann Arbor, MI

You can return bottles for a refund. I think it varies from about 30 won to 100 won per bottle depending on the size. I don't think it's very convenient to return them for your average person though, which is why you see some people dedicating themselves to doing it as a part time job. Ever see the people carting around loads of paper? Same thing, but I don't think it pays much either.

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

The mom&pop corner stores will buy back your glass soju and beer bottles.
Cans and plastic, just take them out, but separate from trash.
Big complexes have a designated evening for recycling and it's a mad house.
We once found a huge pile of recyclables in front of the first floor elevator.
Apparently recovered from the trash. A note said, "We have you on camera. Take your stuff to the proper place."

chest rockwell · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Sanbon

chest rockwell · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Sanbon

chest rockwell · Joined: 16 May 2005 Location: Sanbon

and let that be a warning to yee

aldershot · Joined: 17 Jul 2006

arrrrr, loud an' clear maaatey... more of a question to satisfy a wandering curiosity. throughout asia it's a funny phenomenon: try to return a bottle and yer met with heckles. my question shouldv'e been: what credentials are required to return bottles? sex? age? ethnicity? half-broken back?

Hyeon Een · Joined: 24 Jun 2005

I have a friend with a large apartment and a large balcony area. He also likes to drink large size OB bottles. He is also lazy and sometimes he has parties. He has never removed them from his apartment. He has lived there about a year. He must have 1,000 plus large OB bottles (glass). Whats the return on those? at even just 50 won that might be worth an hour one afternoon..

mole · Joined: 06 Feb 2003 Location: Act III

C'mon. Do your part for the environment and sell 'em back for 20 or 30 won each.
We keep a separate piggy bank just for bottle deposits. They add up.