Korea’s Garbage Bag Crisis 2026: Everything Foreigners & Tourists Need to Know
Korea is facing a garbage bag (jongnyangje bongtu) shortage in 2026. Here’s what foreigners and tourists need to know — causes, alternatives, government rules, and what to do right now. Quick Reference Summary What Is Korea’s Garbage Bag System? (A Quick Primer for Foreigners) If you are living in Korea or visiting for an extended stay, one of the first things you need to understand is that you cannot throw away household trash in just any plastic bag. Korea operates a strict national system called the “Volume-Based Waste Fee System” (종량제, Jongnyangje) , which essentially means “pay-as-you-throw.” Every household and resident — including foreigners and long-term visitors — is required by law to purchase and use designated government-approved garbage bags (종량제 봉투, Jongnyangje Bongtu) to dispose of general household waste. These bags are sold at convenience stores (CU, GS25, 7-Eleven), supermarkets, and local marts. The price of the bag is not just the cost of the plastic itself...