‘Massive protests would erupt’: NRI says South Korea’s strict waste rules like dumping only washed food boxes and no onion peels in bins are unthinkable in India

An Indian content creator living in South Korea has offered a glimpse into the country's strict household waste disposal system, highlighting rules that go beyond simply separating wet and dry garbage. From washing empty food containers before throwing them away to removing tape from cardboard boxes, even everyday disposal tasks require attention. One of the biggest expenses mentioned in the video is apartment maintenance, which the creator says costs around Rs 60,000 a month. The amount, according to the creator, covers only basic facilities and services, while electricity and water bills are charged separately. The social media post suggested that introducing similar rules in India could trigger widespread protests.

Rs 60,000 monthly maintenance, with other bills on top

The creator begins by pointing out the cost of maintaining an apartment in South Korea. Even after paying the monthly maintenance charge, residents must budget separately for utilities and other household expenses. For someone moving from India, where maintenance charges vary considerably depending on the city, apartment size and facilities, the amount could come as a surprise.

Residents must wash empty food containers

The video then turns to an everyday activity that many people rarely think twice about: throwing away food packaging. According to the creator, plastic containers can't simply be discarded with leftover food still inside. Residents must wash them before putting them in the appropriate waste stream.

Paper packaging also requires attention. Tape must be removed from cardboard boxes before they are placed in the paper recycling category. Residents need to separate different materials instead of treating an empty takeaway box or a delivery package as ordinary rubbish.For people unfamiliar with the local system, learning which items belong in which category can take time.

Special garbage bags are compulsory

Another expense highlighted in the video is the purchase of designated garbage bags. The creator says residents must use official or approved bags for ordinary household waste rather than disposing of rubbish in any plastic bag they have at home. A 20-litre bag, according to the video, costs around Rs 60.

South Korea operates a volume-based waste disposal system in which designated pay-as-you-throw bags are used for general waste. The system is intended to encourage waste reduction and ensure that disposal costs are accounted for. For someone accustomed to putting household rubbish into a regular bin liner, remembering to buy the correct bags becomes another part of managing everyday expenses.

Fine for putting onion peels?

Food waste is another area where the creator says residents must be particularly careful. In the video, the creator warns that putting onion peels in the food-waste category could result in a penalty. South Korea has separate rules for food waste, and not every organic item can be processed in the same way. Onion skins and other hard or fibrous food remnants are generally excluded from food-waste recycling in many local systems.

Throwing away an old carpet requires a sticker

The creator also describes what residents must do when they want to get rid of a bulky household item, using an old carpet as an example. As per the video, residents must obtain a special disposal sticker, reportedly costing around Rs 300, and attach it to the item before discarding it. The sticker can be purchased through the relevant housing office or local disposal system, depending on the applicable rules.

This is different from throwing away an ordinary household bag. Large items such as carpets and furniture may fall under a separate collection process, with disposal charges determined by the type and size of the item and local requirements.