Seodaemun-gu Allows 'Fresh Vegetable Waste from Kimjang' in Regular Volume-Based Garbage Bags, Too

Two-Month Program Begins Next Month... Special Sticker Required

During kimjang season, residents of Seoul’s Seodaemun-gu will temporarily be allowed to dispose of large amounts of fresh vegetable waste, such as cabbage and radishes, in regular volume-based garbage bags.

Seodaemun-gu Kimjang Waste Disposal Sticker. Provided by Seodaemun-gu.

Seodaemun-gu, led by District Mayor Park Ungi, announced on the 25th that it will run a special collection period for kimjang waste from November 1 through December 31. The measure applies to large amounts of fresh vegetable waste discarded before being seasoned or salted. Residents may continue to dispose of it as food waste, or put it in a 20-liter or 50-liter regular volume-based garbage bag, attach a kimjang waste disposal sticker, and set it out for collection. Stickers are available for free at local community service centers, or can be downloaded from the notices section of the district office website, printed, and attached with tape.

Vegetables that have been seasoned or salted, and kimjang waste that has been soaked in water, must still be placed in food waste volume-based bags of up to 20 liters or disposed of using RFID-based food waste bins in apartment complexes. Onion, garlic, and ginger skins; green onion, scallion, and water parsley roots; chili pepper, bell pepper, and paprika stems; and chili pepper seeds and stems and garlic stems must be disposed of separately as regular waste.

Kimjang waste placed in regular volume-based garbage bags will be taken to food waste processing facilities and recycled into animal feed or compost. Residents may be fined if they mix household waste or recyclables into bags bearing the sticker.

Kimjang waste disposal rules vary by district. The general rule is to dispose of kimjang waste in food waste volume-based bags, but some districts allow residents to use regular volume-based garbage bags during kimjang season. Some districts do not have a special collection period or allow only food waste bags, while others require designated bags. Collection periods, bag sizes, and whether bags must be marked as kimjang waste also differ by district, so residents should check their district office website or contact the department responsible for sanitation and resource circulation.

“We have expanded the options so residents can conveniently dispose of the vegetable waste generated all at once during kimjang season,” District Mayor Park Ungi said. “We will make disposal simple while providing thorough guidance to ensure the waste is properly collected and processed.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.