For everyone living in Korea
What goes in which bin?분리배출, 영어로 쉽게
Type anything you want to throw away. Get the bin, the steps, and the Korean word — based on official city and district rules.
Not in our list yet. Try another word, browse all items, or ask us to add it.
The bins, in one minute
Korea sorts rubbish into these groups. Tap one for the full guide.
Most searched
The things people ask about most.
- Chicken bones닭뼈General waste
- Eggshells달걀 껍데기General waste
- Clear water and drink bottle투명 페트병Clear PET
- Plastic bags and snack wrappers비닐봉지 · 과자 봉지Vinyl
- Greasy pizza and chicken boxes기름 묻은 치킨 · 피자 상자General waste
- Styrofoam box스티로폼 상자Styrofoam
- Power bank보조배터리Battery box
- Furniture가구Large waste
- Refrigerator냉장고Appliance pickup
- Pills and capsules알약Medicine box
- Tea bags and tea leaves티백 · 찻잎General waste
- Receipts영수증General waste
Read the marks on packaging
That little triangle tells you where it goes.
Recycling marks explained Printable cheat sheet Korean phrases
Why bones are not food waste
Korea turns food waste into animal feed and compost. Anything an animal could not eat — bones, shells, fruit pits, onion skins, tea bags — would damage the machines, so it goes in the general waste bag instead. It is the most common surprise for newcomers. Food waste guide →
Where our answers come from
Every item page lists its sources: Seoul’s unified sorting standard (2025), Seoul’s food waste standard, and district rules such as Yeonsu-gu (Incheon) and Suwon. Rules can differ between districts; each page tells you when that matters. Last checked October 13, 2026.