What the World Can Learn from South Korea’s Waste System

One of the first things you notice when arriving in Korea is how few public trash cans there are. It always seems to happen at the worst time – when you’re standing there with an empty iced coffee cup or the wooden stick from a tornado potato, desperate to get rid of it. But the bin you’re looking for is nowhere in sight.

This isn’t by accident. Back in 1995, South Korea introduced the Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system, making waste reduction and recycling the responsibility of each individual household. People must buy special – and often pricey – biodegradable bags for their trash, or have their waste weighed at electronic disposal stations. The idea is simple: if you produce more waste, you pay more.

To stop people from sneaking trash into public bins to avoid fees, many of those bins were removed. That led to a bit more litter in some areas, but mostly it created a culture where Koreans simply take their rubbish home. Today, there are strict rules and fines for tossing food waste into general trash or trying to cheat the system.

The results speak for themselves. In the mid-90s, Korea recycled just 2% of its waste. Today, nearly 100% of food waste is recycled. Every day, about 15,000 tons of it is sent to one of the country’s 300 recycling plants, where it’s turned into fertilizer, animal feed, or biogas instead of ending up in landfills.

For Koreans, sorting waste has become part of daily life. For newcomers, though, the detailed system can feel daunting. Many foreigners say they learn quickly, though, once they realize how seriously Koreans take it.

Globally, the numbers show just how impressive this is. According to GWI2025, South Koreans produce only around 438 kg of waste per person per year, recycling about 54% of it. By comparison, Danes generate nearly double that amount – about 800 kg per person – and recycle only 23%. Denmark’s food waste alone adds up to 800,000 tons a year, with the food industry as the biggest culprit, followed closely by households. Food waste accounts for roughly 4% of Denmark’s total CO2 emissions.

And Denmark isn’t alone. Worldwide, food waste is a massive issue. The UN estimated that in 2022, one billion tons of food were thrown away – the equivalent of 50 million trucks packed to the brim. Food waste and loss make up around 6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, which are even more harmful than CO2.

That’s why South Korea’s approach stands out. It’s not just about recycling; it’s about changing habits and taking responsibility. And it’s a reminder that if a country of 50 million people can recycle 98% of its food waste, the rest of us can definitely do better.

TIP

If you want to learn how to sort your trash while in Korea, here’s a good video that will take you through the basic practice.