Manya Rathore
Research expert covering India
Recycling industry in South Korea - statistics & facts
The implementation of waste import bans in neighboring countries have heavily impacted South Korea’s relationship with trash, pushing it to actively control the accumulation of its domestically produced waste rather than sending it abroad. Over the last several years, the country has banned plastic bags, single-use straws, and paper cups from large retail stores, convenience stores, cafés, and restaurants. Households have long been required to properly separate and recycle waste or face a fine, and the significant difference in the actual recycling rate between mixed and separated waste reflects the importance of these efforts. As of 2023, South Korea’s municipal recyclable waste recycling rate stood at around 52 percent.
