Country profile

Korea, Rep.

Waste generation, collection, composition, treatment and policy statistics for Korea, Rep..

Indicator year 2022E. Asia & PacificHIC

Municipal waste generated444.7kg per person · 2022 · World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · reported value

Collection coverage100%2022 · World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · population coverage

Municipal recycling rate38.4%2022 · World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · reported treatment share

Uncollected waste—No published value

Open dumping—No published value

Sanitary landfill10.2%2022 · World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · reported treatment share

Waste composition

World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · 2022 · reported material shares

Other materials25.5%

Food and organics24.3%

Plastic24.2%

Paper and cardboard12.7%

Wood5.3%

Textiles2.4%

Glass2.3%

Metal1.8%

Rubber and leather0.8%

Electrical and electronic waste0.8%

World Bank What a Waste 3.0 · 2022 · reported treatment and disposal shares

Recycling in treatment mix38.4%

Incineration24%

Composting21.4%

Sanitary landfill10.2%

Other treatment5.9%

National waste lawYes

National waste planNational Resource Circulation Plan (2018-2027)

Responsible institutionKorean Ministry of Environment

Producer responsibilityYes

EPR operating statusLegally-binding regulations in place

Deposit-return systemYes