The ABCs of Recycling in Korea and Here is how YOU can do it too!
If you have ever traveled to South Korea, you too have witnessed the humbling scenic beauty of the city, slurped on the warm Tteokbokkit, and seen the serene Han River that runs endlessly. Apart from the many attractions that the city offers wanderlust-stricken tourists like you and me, Korea also ranks second-highest in the world when it comes to recycling their waste.
How, you ask? Well, at the risk of sounding oversimplified — they take it very seriously.
In the global recycling race, countries such as Germany and South Korea have made remarkable strides only by stressing simple practices of waste segregation, recycling, and reducing plastic usage in their day-to-day lives. Unlike many other countries in the world, South Korea has developed stringent laws around recycling that have not only reduced waste generation but also led to the recycling of 80% of waste generated every year.
To understand this better, let’s quickly dive into a few waste management practices common in the country:
Segregate and Rule!
Food wastage has never been a glaring issue in Korea. Apart from being blessed with diversely delicious food, Korean folks over time have also acquired the practice of food waste segregation. Korean streets and public eating places have separate divided bins for food waste that helps the garbage workers filter out general waste from food waste.
If the food you are disposing of can be consumed by animals (pigs, especially), go ahead and throw it in the food bin. Anything other than edible waste goes into the general waste bin. Some examples are meat, fruit/vegetable peels, or even raw egg. The sizes range from 3, 5, and 10-liter bags to avoid the waste from spilling on the roads, keeping the city clean.
Many startups have directed hefty investments toward reducing the impact of food waste in the country. A centrally controlled corporation collects recyclable items from homes and businesses. Following sorting, these materials are offered for sale to recycling-focused businesses. The finished goods are recycled or sold as raw materials for brand-new goods. This technique not only saves waste but also produces money for the government, creates employment opportunities, and boosts the small-scale business industry.
The benefits are endless.
Pay-As-You-Throw
Interestingly, public trash cans are conveniently located within buildings, including malls, and department stores, but not outside on the streets. They have been removed on purpose by the government to reduce unauthorized dumping and vandalization. Waste bags must be purchased by everyone at nearby markets and convenience stores and disposed of either at their homes or in public trash cans only.
Many might argue that this practice can seemingly increase littering, however, the Korean government has successfully been able to implement this and many more such recycling laws with the support of the citizens, making for an impressive case study in the field of sustainability.
Disposing of Furniture and Appliances!
While disposing of bigger furniture or appliances you need to purchase a sticker to put on before so that they can be picked up for disposal. If you live in an apartment, the maintenance person or security guard will carry these stickers. The size of the furniture or equipment will affect the cost.
That said, personally, what fascinates me the most is the preservationist hygiene culture and practices seen in the country. Simple practices such as keeping toilet rolls outside the washroom to prevent unnecessary wastage can go a long way when it comes to national sustainability efforts. The culture propagates recycling not just as a way to save the planet but as a lifestyle choice that is to be incorporated mandatorily in every household.
Overall, the country has emerged as a great example of sustainability initiatives that can be duplicated in countries like India, Turkey, and Mexico which have experienced low rates of recycling.