Why Are There No Trash Cans in Korea?

Anyone who’s visited Korea will know how hard it can be to find a trash can in a public area (outside of subway stations and convenience stores). Why is that? Why are there no public trash cans in Korea? I asked Koreans what they thought, and what visitors to Korea should do with trash. The question I asked was this: 길에 쓰레기통이 잘 없는 이유가 뭘까요? (“What could be the reason why there aren’t many trash cans on the street?”)
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Music by Kevin MacLeod: "Beachfront Celebration," "Modern Jazz Samba," “MJS Strings,” and “Brightly Fancy.” (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 (creativecommons...)

[@mikainkorea]

Yeah, public bathrooms and convenience stores are a good way to get rid of the trash.. or bring it home and recycle in your building 😅

[@FrankM]

2:32 Oh man, Billy imitating foreigners visiting Korea with that voice. I'd probably sound exactly like that too.

[@GoBillyKorean]

That's also how I used to talk when I was first learning Korean, but not even that good.

[@chelseab721]

Oh Gosh my first visit in korea I was carrying around a sticky ice cream wrapper for like an hour 😭😂 it's good to know locals didnt think I was as crazy as I felt

[@KennM12]

“hold onto it until you find somewhere to throw it away” that’s like the least helpful advice ever 😂

[@alanmiller3904]

Not really, you can only understand once living there!

[@user-in1yw9ty5t]

People put everything in the trash can so its understandable and 3ven if you want to throw it somewhere around the city place without any care then youll be charged heavily blablabla etc. so its a lil bit hardwork but its mostly about planning your waste personally so everyone can make a city clean as well as their homes maybe

[@moongirl9138]

Lmao 😂😂😂 now I'm so scared hahah

[@blueninja7594]

I stuff them in my bag and use the convenience store trash cans/recycling bins but idk man I once developed an emotional connection with one specific trash in Jeju island and couldn’t throw it away after going back to Seoul. Then I brought it home. It’s a vitamin bottle. I’m thinking of filling it with citrus scented candle.

[@Ghues]

are you for real? 😂

[@number1coolguy322]

Big mood

[@hixtorie433]

I am the trash

[@GoBillyKorean]

:D

[@kawaiisakurapotato873]

Lmao same! *hops into a trash can but breaks her neck on the ground cause there is no trash can*

[@willykim5801]

There are so many convenience stores in Korea that there are trash cans that you can use without having to buy anything. And all public toilets, subway toilets and restrooms in all buildings are free and clean and there is always a trash can. ;D

[@Kpopfanatic05]

Willy Kim this is so helpful! I was literally walking around like an idiot holding onto my trash, looking for a trash can on the street for at least an hour 🤣

[@Fudge-p7w]

I really noticed this when I was there! I put it down to that I never saw Koreans eating "on the go" like they would be at an actual place to eat or in the chairs outside a convenience store where there would be a trash can. I felt really out of place eating as I was walking! I just kept my trash in my bag and got rid of it when I was back where I was staying!

[@AnaMargaridaSings]

Is eating "on the go" really that comon in your home country!?!!? That's so weird O.o And super un-healthy, it's bad for your digestion to eat "on the go" on a regular basis.......

[@UkOutreach]

There is plenty of street food sold and consumed on the streets. Even around those places there are very few or no places where rubbish can be deposited.

[@jamesperrine4153]

For my trash, I found bathrooms like some suggested or took it back to my hotel! I always had to have a bag to hold food trash.

[@meedmeadow]

At first I was surprised so I googled it to get to know why I can't find any trash bin. Then, once I asked some guy where to put my trash and he was like 'eeee I don't know either' but he just showed me a huge amount of trash on the other side of the street and said 'just put it there' 😂😂😂 I felt bad with it so first couple of days in Korea I carried empty bottles back home. Sometimes I was using subway or 7-11, etc but when I couldn't use those two I used to leave trash where other trash were laying on the street, I mean around trees where people leave big bags, boxes, etc for service to take it. That was really difficult while being there tho.

[@kathy4259]

We were on holiday in Korea last April and had this problem. We had been to the night market in Myeongdong and I was asked to leave a shop because I was holding our leftover food, etc. I did try to explain that I couldn't find a bin and asked where one was but was just asked to leave the shop :( I must admit I was a little upset haha. After that we took a plastic bag with us so we could bring our 'rubbish' back to our Hotel.

[@MG-951]

lived in Daegu for 5 years now. Its a shame because I always see people just toss trash on the street. Young and old. As soon as they are done with it they just throw it on the street. I wish we would teach kids to treat their city like their homes, because you wouldn't just toss trash on your floor at home, right? My family recently came for my wedding and said how amazing and clean Seoul is, but they had a different story for my adopted home Daegu. Wish people took care of their city better. I got the same explanation from my wife when I asked her about the trash can issue. She said that people kept on throwing away all their bulk trash there and also brought up the 1988 Olympic thing. I get it but its sad to see. My backpack is always filled with trash because i refuse to become apart of the problem.

[@The3lVlpire]

I started carrying around a ziplock in my backpack 😅 then when I went to a bathroom or convenience store would try and throw it away there. Most of the time I had to throw it away when I got back home

[@GenAfterNextTactics]

I neatly place it on top of the existing mound of trash, which is normally in the alley way or on the sidewalk.

[@brooklynnart]

When I went to Korea I had just spent a week in Japan so I had gotten pretty used to not having trashcans everywhere. Most often I would just avoid taking trash with me from anywhere or I'd hold onto it until I got to the subway. There was almost always bins or bags there.

[@fishbonesinc]

Where I lived they had some trash cans, you just had to remember where they were and also get used to not bring stuff with you from restaurants, because it’s such a hassle to get rid off

[@masterblack9400]

“Take it home”. Best answer 😄

[@mattm5324]

my pockets or bags become trashcans until i find a bigger place to toss it. I also try to recycle if possible by going to the CUs, i mean there are a dozen per block it seems, those are ggood places to toss stuff.

[@Theherbalempress]

If America did this then trash would just be everywhere. We have trash cans and I still see trash in my yard and all outside it's so annoying.

[@Drragnorr]

Not only trash cans, but I was surprised that there are no containers for residents also. like everyone put their trash in bags on the street in the evening and hope It gets picked up. I guess that they are saving space since a lot of streets are very narrow, but still. Its strange. :)

[@moonmilkgalaxy]

My friends and I normally just threw away our trash at the subway station since you can generally always find one or in the bathroom occasionally but honestly we would avoid acquiring trash whenever possible.

[@alanmiller3904]

While living in Korea, I found that the only trash I ever had was from packaging that I would take home, like grocery shopping. Every time I ate in public it was at a restaurant, so I had no trash. The restaurants are so inexpensive, that you could afford to eat well every meal.

[@GoBillyKorean]

I also enjoy going out to eat often in Korea. No tax (included in the price) and no tip (workers are paid regular amounts), and lots of healthy options for a good price.

[@hugh6948]

Since this is seemingly only an issue if you are outside of your house, I found myself using cafe rubbish bins are subway trash cans, there arent many but usually wherever you're going there is a bin around. I think this may of only been an issue once or twice and I just kept trash in my bag until I got to the next place

[@AbasikMusic]

I think it's because, the amount of things you can throw away is small and bin bags are quite small if you live in small apartments. If there were bins outside then they fill and bags everywhere. At the moment I think it could be a problem as I haven't seen a complete system for rubbish, in the UK we usually have big black bin (general), green bin (garden) then tubs for plastics and stuff. I haven't visited many places in Korea but stayed in Hoegi in Seoul and saw alot of restaurants pile up bin bags on the street near trees and stuff, because there is just no room for bins. And Public bins would only be good on a big shopping street otherwise would be overused and taken advantage of otherwise.

[@jennifertan]

literally i got so anxious holding an empty cup from a cafe i tried googling and found nothing LOL i didn’t want to carry an empty coffee cup around while i was trying to shop!! but i think it’s hilarious that even locals are like.... confused by this 😂😂 i now know that any convenience store or subway station works!

[@francissahot9066]

I really liked your videos Billy from philippines

[@prabhjotpalta896]

Billy thanks for this video :>

[@tddgadsfdfdf]

쓰레기통 없앤 이유 1. 길거리 쓰레기통이 가득차면 주변에 쓰레기를 그냥 던져놓기 때문에 없앰 1.지하철역 테러방지용. 투명 비닐 쓰레기통은 간혹 설치함

[@keiths2902]

It’s weird that they say the streets are dirty. Korea was one of the cleanest places, at least compared to where I live.

[@lchow95]

I actually didn't notice the lack of trash cans/have a problem with it. I was always in a place that had a trash can (café, lodging, bathroom, subway) and I didn't have much trash to begin with

[@jzajzayijun2282]

I kept a shopping bag from the store and put it in there, then once I arrived home I put in in recycling and trash according to what it was etc.

[@jellojiggle1]

A couple of them sounded like they were running for office. lol.

[@thesisypheanjournal1271]

I lived in Korea for many years and my theory is that people would throw too much bulky stuff away in public trash cans to avoid having to buy as many trash bags. The trash collection fee is part of the cost of the bag, and you're not allowed to just put trash out in an ordinary bag. This encourages people to sort out their recyclables so they're not paying to have them hauled away! I would just carry my trash with me until I got to a place where I could throw it away.

[@Diedeledie]

Honestly, I wish the government reinstalled the trash cans. I was so bothered by all the trash on the streets and I feel like it would just be a little cleaner if there were more places to deposit your trash. I ended up carrying mine with me until I found a place to throw it away.

[@brendan3461]

I lived in Korea for a year, I had a backpack with me most of the time i was out so I would just stuff it in my backpack lol

[@MrDongkun]

종량제봉투 도입되고나서 종량제봉투에 안버리고 길거리 쓰레기통에 버리니까 없앤걸로 아는데 빨리빨리 비우지도 못하니 쓰레기가 넘치고 오히려 미관상 안좋기도 하고

[@kyliessave8454]

When I went to Korea, and went to eat at Insadong, I couldn't find any trash cans! I was so confused and I just held on to it until I went back to the subway...

[@toraxxi]

SAMEEEE I always wonder

[@jjangminji]

I think I could live with the issue even though I'd be super annoyed. I ALWAYS leave the house with a big purse or a backpack and usually throw small trash in a sandwich bag in my purse or bp anyway...

[@ashtonsdimple8794]

I LOVE YOU BILLY💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕

[@lenasull]

this is an issue that needs to be dealt with and a very difficult one at that. Trash bags in Korea are paid for and I've seen people discarding home trash in public trash bins, In the past people carried their trash with them until they got home. BTW Japan has no public trash cans either and it seems to work just fine!

[@hixtorie433]

When does the live start on Sunday? I always miss it :(

[@GoBillyKorean]

This Sunday is 2 hours earlier than usual, so 12pm Pacific Time.

[@hyuckjushon]

The answer... 1:20

[@jaehyeakchoi]

살아남은 한국인은 나뿐인가...!

[@GCJossan]

I took it with me until I found a trash can. Sometimes had to put it in a plastic bag in my bag.

[@ann3018]

I was looking for a box with trash in it and put there whatever trash I had Or I’d carry it until I find a trash can

[@kawaiisakurapotato873]

I've never been to Korea and I've always wanted to but if I was there id probably stuff my trash in my purse tbh😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@icysamurai1485]

Lol the accent when he pretends to be a foreigner asking where to throw away the trash

[@KoreaWithKids]

That can definitely be a problem! BTW, somebody recently told me that "관리" is NOT pronounced "괄리," though I'm pretty sure that's the way I always heard it before, and ko.dict.naver.com says it should be 괄리, but the girl at 0:40 sure doesn't sound like she's saying it that way. Do you know what's going on there?

[@GoBillyKorean]

관리 is pronounced "괄리." You can also check the pronunciation of any word at Naver's online dictionary.

[@KoreaWithKids]

That's what I said. ;) I am wondering about the girl in the video, though. Doesn't it sound like she's saying something else?

[@GoBillyKorean]

That girl is Japanese actually, so she probably just pronounced it that way.

[@KoreaWithKids]

I see! Interesting!

[@rei0go50]

관리 in Japanese is 管理(kanri) so it might have influenced her to pronounce it that way. :/

[@roosters93]

it means you're just passing the burden onto the subway trash system or even non government buildings end up with more trash

[@vivimedina5925]

I thought you would tell us what the actual reason is for no trash cans 🙄

[@kasiaa9165]

I would carry mine back to the hotel with me, or use a subway or cafe trash can to throw it away.

[@cjt8469]

I wonder if on Billy's birth certificate they wrote the exclamation mark next to Go...

[@unidancer15]

If I found trash bags on the street outside apartment buildings, I tucked my trash in there. Or if I went to the toilet, those trash cans were helpful.

[@Mr2ee]

I prefer this policy than bringing back trash cans. It's unsanitary and an eye soar. Reminds ppl to keep their trash and dispose them in recycle bin.

[@mrsmichelledaniels]

I take my trash home. It’s hard for me to just throw it on the ground. We get it drilled in us to throw it in a trash can lol

[@momomo-nj9dw]

어휴 죄다 ㅋㅋ 애초에 한국에서 길거리 쓰레기가 발생하지 않는게 스트리트 푸드,노점상이 적은 이유고 애초에 쓰레기 생긴 곳에서 바로 처리하니깐, 카페 식당 편의점. 그리고 그 외 쓰레기는 자기 집에서 처리하는거지, 그냥 배우지 않아도 상식 아닌가? 오히려 선진문화 국가라서 없는거지, 예산 관리차원? 오히려 길거리 쓰레기 치우는 인건비가 더 든다 쓰레기통 설치보다... 너무나도 개탄스럽다 어휴 배우거나 생각하면서좀 살자

[@성이름-o4x2f]

전 집에 갖고 오고.. 제 아이도 갖고 오고 남편도 갖고 와요... 길에 쓰레기통 없는 것 치곤 무척 깨끗해요.ㅋ

[@anthonydyer5447]

Very interesting. Lol.

[@hakasehakase]

This is a real problem tho, one of the biggest reasons why my legs dont like korea.

[@LoliNessie21]

What?? Trash cans were literally anywhere? And if I REALLY had to get rid of something I just go to a convenience store or subway station to throw it away.

[@faithcarponelli]

That foreigners accent though xD

[@christopherlagunsilad7772]

Oh yes, then send your metric tons of waste to our country. Pretty fucked up.