🚨 Waste Separation: Protecting the Earth Through Proper Practice

Today Korean Social News | 2025.04.20

📌 The Illusion of Waste Separation, the Truth Behind the 70% Recycling Rate

💬 In an apartment complex in Seoul, residents separate waste such as PET bottles, plastics, and paper, but contaminated recyclables are often filtered out during the sorting process and treated as general waste. According to the Ministry of Environment's "2022 Environmental Statistics Yearbook," only 56.7% of separated plastic waste was actually recycled in 2021, with the remainder being incinerated or landfilled. This reality makes residents' waste separation efforts seem futile.

Summary

• Waste separation is the practice of sorting recyclable waste by type.
• Proper waste separation is an important practice that increases resource recycling and reduces environmental pollution.
• For effective waste separation, it's necessary to know and practice the correct disposal methods for each item.

1️⃣ Definition

Waste separation refers to the practice of sorting recyclable waste by type. Simply put, it means separating recyclables from general waste, and further sorting recyclables into categories such as paper, plastic, glass, metal, and so on.

Waste separation is an important practice for recycling resources and reducing environmental pollution.

💡 Why is it important?

• It contributes to environmental protection by reducing the need to extract new resources through recycling.
• It reduces the amount of landfill waste, extending the lifespan of landfills and decreasing environmental pollution from landfills.
• It reduces waste incineration, decreasing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.

2️⃣ Current Status and Problems of Waste Separation

📕 Current Status of Waste Separation in Korea

• Korea's waste separation system has continuously evolved. The waste separation system in Korea began in earnest with the implementation of the volume-based waste fee system in 1995. Initially, it was simply a matter of separating recyclables from general waste, but it has gradually become more detailed, with current categories including paper, glass bottles, cans, plastic, vinyl, and styrofoam. Since 2020, separate collection of transparent PET bottles has been mandatory to improve recycling efficiency. According to the Ministry of Environment, about 60% of household waste nationwide was separated for recycling as of 2022, and about 70% of this was actually recycled. Participation rates in waste separation are higher in urban areas than in rural areas, and more active in apartments and other multi-unit dwellings than in single-family homes. According to public awareness surveys, over 90% of citizens agree on the necessity of waste separation, but the percentage of those who actually practice it correctly is lower.

• There is a process for handling separated waste. After collection, separated waste is transported to recycling sorting facilities. At these facilities, recyclable resources are sorted from non-recyclable ones through manual and mechanical methods. Recyclable resources are further classified by type and then sold to recycling companies. In this process, contaminated or mixed recyclables are filtered out and treated as general waste. At recycling companies, sorted recyclables are processed into recycled raw materials through washing, crushing, melting, and other processes, and these raw materials are used in the production of new products. However, according to the Ministry of Environment's "2022 Environmental Statistics Yearbook," only 56.7% of plastic waste that was separated for recycling in 2021 was actually recycled, with the remainder being incinerated or landfilled. This is because many recyclables are contaminated, and some recyclables are not recycled due to economic factors.

📕 Problems with the Waste Separation System

• There are several problems with the waste separation system. The main problems with the current waste separation system are as follows. First, there is a lack of knowledge among citizens about waste separation. Many citizens do not know the correct methods of waste separation and often dispose of items in a way that makes recycling difficult. For example, plastic containers with food residue or paper products with impurities are difficult to recycle but are often disposed of as recyclables. Second, the increase in composite material products makes waste separation more difficult. Products made of multiple materials (e.g., paper+plastic packaging) are not easy to separate, resulting in lower recycling rates. Third, there are economic issues in the recycling market. Some recyclables have high collection and processing costs, making them less economical, and they are often incinerated or landfilled rather than recycled. Fourth, there is a lack of facilities and infrastructure. Many regions lack advanced sorting facilities and professional personnel, making efficient sorting of recyclables difficult. Fifth, there are limitations to producer responsibility. Products are often not designed with recycling in mind from the production stage, making many products difficult to recycle after disposal.

• There is also a gap between citizens' awareness and practice of waste separation. The gap between citizens' awareness and practice of waste separation is also a major issue. According to surveys, most citizens understand the importance of waste separation, but the percentage of those who actually practice it correctly is lower. The reasons for this gap include the following factors. First, the complexity of waste separation methods. There are various types of recyclables and detailed disposal methods, making it difficult to know the exact method. Second, the tendency to seek convenience. In busy daily life, sorting waste in detail can seem cumbersome and annoying. Third, skepticism about the effects of waste separation. The perception that "it will all be mixed together anyway" can reduce motivation for waste separation. Fourth, accessibility problems with waste separation facilities. In some regions or housing types, waste separation facilities may be insufficient or inaccessible, making practice difficult. Fifth, lack of incentives. There are no differential benefits between those who separate waste well and those who do not, leading to a lack of motivation.

Major Problems with Waste Separation

1. Low actual recycling rate: A significant amount of separated waste is not actually recycled
2. Complexity of waste separation methods: Confusion due to various items and detailed rules
3. Contaminated recyclables: Problems with unwashed containers or recyclables with impurities
4. Composite material products: Difficulty in separating products made of multiple materials
5. Lack of sorting infrastructure: Lack of efficient sorting facilities and personnel
6. Economic issues: Low economic value of some recyclables
7. Gap between citizen awareness and practice: Awareness of importance but insufficient practice
8. Limitations of producer responsibility: Lack of consideration for recycling at the product design stage
9. Regional differences in waste separation systems: Different waste separation rules by region
10. Instability of the recycling market: Effects of domestic and international recycling market fluctuations

3️⃣ Proper Waste Separation Methods

✅ Waste Separation Methods by Type

• Paper should be free of impurities and bundled for disposal. The correct methods for paper separation are as follows. First, newspapers, books, notebooks, paper boxes, etc., should be free of impurities, kept dry, and bundled or placed in boxes for disposal. Second, paper cartons (milk cartons, juice cartons, etc.) should be emptied, rinsed with water, dried, and then flattened or compressed for disposal. Third, types of paper to be cautious about include vinyl-coated paper (advertisements, flyers, etc.), paper with aluminum or other attachments (cigarette boxes, thermal paper, etc.), and paper contaminated with food or oil (pizza boxes, paper cups, etc.), which should be disposed of as general waste.

• Plastics and vinyl should be emptied, washed, and then disposed of. The correct methods for separating plastics and vinyl are as follows. First, PET bottles should be emptied, rinsed, labels removed, and compressed before disposal. It is especially important to separate transparent PET bottles. Second, general plastic containers (shampoo bottles, detergent containers, etc.) should be emptied and rinsed before disposal. Third, vinyl items (snack bags, blanket packaging vinyl, etc.) should have impurities removed and be placed in a white plastic bag for disposal. Fourth, styrofoam should have contents and attached items like tape removed, and if there are impurities, it should be washed clean before disposal. It's important to note that plastic containers with a lot of food or impurities, medication packaging, toothbrushes, cosmetic containers (like lipstick), etc., are difficult to recycle and should be disposed of as general waste.

• Glass and metal should be emptied and impurities removed before disposal. The correct methods for separating glass and metal are as follows. First, glass bottles should be emptied, rinsed, and labels and caps removed before disposal. Broken glass should be wrapped in newspaper and disposed of as general waste for safety. Second, metal cans (beverage cans, canned goods, etc.) should be emptied, rinsed, and compressed if possible before disposal. Third, scrap metal (wire, nails, aluminum foil, etc.) should have non-metal materials removed and be placed in a bag for disposal. It's important to note that light bulbs, mirrors, ceramics, heat-resistant glass, crystal glass, etc., have different compositions from regular glass, making them difficult to recycle, and should be disposed of as general waste. Also, paint cans, spray cans, gas containers, etc., should have contents completely removed before disposal.

✅ Tips for Effective Waste Separation

• There are tips for waste separation that can be practiced at home. Practical tips for effective waste separation at home are as follows. First, create a dedicated space for waste separation. Setting up a space or containers at home to collect paper, plastic, glass, metal, etc., separately makes daily waste separation much easier. Second, briefly wash recyclables before disposal. Simply rinsing containers with food or impurities with water greatly increases recycling efficiency. Third, develop a habit of reducing volume. Compressing or folding PET bottles, cans, paper boxes, etc., to reduce volume increases collection efficiency and makes storage easier. Fourth, be aware of the waste collection schedule. Waste collection schedules may vary by apartment complex or region, so knowing the schedule and disposing of waste accordingly is efficient. Fifth, develop a habit of checking recycling marks. Checking the recycling marks on product packaging helps you know the correct waste separation method for that product. Sixth, check local waste separation rules. Detailed waste separation rules may vary by region, so it's important to check the specific waste separation guidelines for your area.

• There are ways to increase the effectiveness of waste separation. Additional methods to increase the effectiveness of waste separation include the following. First, reduce the use of disposable items. Fundamentally reducing the amount of waste generated is the most effective method. Using tumblers, shopping bags, reusable containers, etc., reduces the amount of waste that needs to be separated. Second, participate in waste separation education. Participating in waste separation education conducted by local environmental organizations or community centers allows you to learn the correct methods. Third, practice with family or neighbors. Having all family members participate in waste separation and practicing together with neighbors increases the effect. Fourth, utilize zero-waste shops. Using zero-waste shops, which are increasing recently, allows you to purchase products without packaging, reducing the amount of waste generated. Fifth, try upcycling. Upcycling, which reuses discarded items for new purposes, is a creative way to reduce waste generation. Sixth, use related apps. There are smartphone apps that provide information about waste separation methods, making it easy to find the disposal method for confusing items.

4️⃣ Related Terminology

🔎 Recycling Mark

• The recycling mark is a symbol indicating that a product is recyclable.
• A recycling mark is a symbol indicating that a product or packaging is recyclable. It is typically designed in the shape of a triangle of arrows in a cycle, with a number or abbreviation indicating the material in the center or at the bottom. For example, 'PET' or the number '1' represents PET bottles, and 'PP' or '5' represents polypropylene. These marks provide important information for consumers when separating waste. The recycling mark simply indicates the possibility of recycling, not a guarantee that it will be 100% recycled. Actual recycling depends on various factors, such as local recycling facilities and systems, and the contamination state of the product. Recently, along with the recycling mark, a 'separation and disposal marking system' has been introduced, providing more detailed guidance on the material of packaging and how to separate and dispose of it. This marking helps consumers practice correct waste separation and ultimately contributes to increasing the recycling rate.

🔎 Upcycling

• Upcycling adds design to discarded items to increase their value.
• Upcycling refers to the practice of adding design and utility to discarded items or materials to create new value. While traditional recycling returns items to their raw material state, upcycling adds new design and function to transform them into products of higher value than the original. For example, making a bag from discarded jeans or repurposing a glass bottle as an interior decoration is an example of upcycling. Upcycling goes beyond simply reducing waste, combining with creative design to achieve both environmental protection and economic value creation, and is gaining attention as a sustainable consumption culture. Recently, upcycling brands and products have been increasing in various fields such as fashion, furniture, and interior design, and the market is expanding along with the increase in consumers' environmental awareness. Upcycling is an environmental protection activity that can be easily practiced in daily life, and creatively recycling items that would be discarded at home can be a meaningful practice.

🔎 Zero Waste

• Zero waste is a lifestyle that minimizes waste generation as much as possible.
• Zero waste refers to a lifestyle and philosophy aimed at minimizing or eliminating the amount of waste generated in daily life. Despite the use of the term "zero", the core is not to completely eliminate waste, but to minimize waste generation as much as possible, and to minimize environmental burden through recycling or composting of generated waste. Zero waste living generally follows these principles. First, refuse: Refuse unnecessary items like disposable items or excessive packaging. Second, reduce: Only purchase what you really need and reduce consumption. Third, reuse: Repair or repurpose items rather than throwing them away. Fourth, recycle: If you must discard something, separate it properly for recycling. Fifth, rot: Turn food waste into compost to return it to resources. The zero waste movement is spreading worldwide, and in Korea, zero waste shops and communities are also increasing. This shows that concern for environmental issues is increasing, and awareness of the impact of individual consumption habits on the environment is spreading.

5️⃣ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Does waste separation really lead to recycling?

A: Yes, a significant portion of separated waste is actually recycled. However, not all separated waste is 100% recycled. According to the Ministry of Environment, as of 2021, about 56.7% of separated plastics, about 79.3% of paper, and about 85.2% of glass were actually recycled. The remainder may be incinerated or landfilled due to contamination, composite material issues, lack of economic viability, and other reasons. In particular, recyclables with food or impurities are easily classified as general waste in the sorting process. Nevertheless, proper waste separation remains important. The more accurately waste is separated (emptying, washing, and separating), the higher the recycling rate. Recently, with the development of recycling technology and the improvement of recycling infrastructure, the recycling rate is gradually improving. In addition, with the strengthening of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) system, design considerations for recycling from the product production stage are expanding, and the recycling rate is expected to increase further in the future. In conclusion, waste separation is a meaningful practice, and citizens' proper waste separation habits directly impact the improvement of the recycling rate.

Q: How should plastic containers be separated for recycling?

A: The correct method for separating plastic containers for recycling is as follows:

1. Empty the contents: Completely empty the contents of the container.
2. Simple washing: If there is food or impurities, rinse lightly with water to remove contaminants.
3. Remove labels: If possible, remove paper or vinyl labels. This is especially important for PET bottles.
4. Reduce volume: Compress PET bottles or plastic containers to reduce volume.
5. Separate caps: Separate plastic caps and dispose of them together.
6. Classify by type: Separate transparent PET bottles (PET) for disposal. Other plastic containers (PP, PE, PS, etc.) can be disposed of together.
7. Precautions: Products mixed with various materials such as toothpaste tubes, medication packaging, toothbrushes, disposable lighters, etc., should be disposed of as general waste.

Proper waste separation is the most basic practice for increasing the recycling rate. Although it may be a bit cumbersome, thorough washing and separation processes greatly help resource recycling.