🇰🇷 Want to recycle properly in Korea or understand signs and instructions?
Whether you’re living in Korea or just interested in environmental Korean vocabulary, this guide will teach you 70+ essential Korean words and expressions related to recycling and waste disposal.
From plastic bottles to composting food waste, this list will help you confidently talk about recycling in Korean!
🗑️ General Recycling Terms in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 재활용 | jae-hwal-yong | Recycling |
| 분리수거 | bun-li-su-geo | Waste separation |
| 쓰레기 | sseu-re-gi | Trash, garbage |
| 쓰레기통 | sseu-re-gi-tong | Trash can |
| 분리배출 | bun-li-bae-chul | Separate discharge |
| 재사용 | jae-sa-yong | Reuse |
| 폐기물 | pye-gi-mul | Waste (general term) |
| 환경 보호 | hwan-gyeong bo-ho | Environmental protection |
| 자원 절약 | ja-won jeol-yak | Resource saving |
| 일회용품 | il-hoe-yong-pum | Disposable item |
🧴 Types of Recyclable Materials in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 종이 | jong-i | Paper |
| 종이컵 | jong-i-keop | Paper cup |
| 골판지 | gol-pan-ji | Cardboard |
| 플라스틱 | peul-la-seu-tik | Plastic |
| 비닐 | bi-nil | Vinyl (plastic wrap, bags) |
| 캔 | kaen | Cans |
| 유리병 | yu-ri-byeong | Glass bottles |
| 병뚜껑 | byeong-ttu-kkeong | Bottle cap |
| 금속 | geum-sok | Metal |
| 알루미늄 | al-lu-mi-nyum | Aluminum |
| 폐건전지 | pye-geon-jeon-ji | Used batteries |
| 폐전자제품 | pye-jeon-ja-je-pum | Waste electronics |
| 스티로폼 | seu-ti-ro-pom | Styrofoam |
🍌 Food & Compost Waste in Korean
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 음식물 쓰레기 | eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi | Food waste |
| 일반 쓰레기 | il-ban sseu-re-gi | General waste |
| 부패하다 | bu-pae-ha-da | To rot/decompose |
| 음식물 처리기 | eum-sik-mul cheo-ri-gi | Food waste processor |
| 음식물 봉투 | eum-sik-mul bong-tu | Food waste bag |
| 재활용 불가 | jae-hwal-yong bul-ga | Non-recyclable |
🏠 Recycling Categories at Home
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 종이류 | jong-i-ryu | Paper category |
| 플라스틱류 | peul-la-seu-tik-ryu | Plastics |
| 캔류 | kaen-ryu | Cans |
| 유리류 | yu-ri-ryu | Glass |
| 비닐류 | bi-nil-ryu | Vinyl/wrap |
| 일반쓰레기 | il-ban-sseu-re-gi | General waste |
| 재활용품 | jae-hwal-yong-pum | Recyclable goods |
| 분리수거함 | bun-li-su-geo-ham | Recycling bin |
💬 Useful Recycling-Related Expressions
| Korean | Pronunciation | English |
|---|---|---|
| 이건 재활용이 돼요? | i-geon jae-hwal-yong-i dwae-yo? | Can this be recycled? |
| 분리수거는 어떻게 해요? | bun-li-su-geo-neun eo-tteo-ke hae-yo? | How do I sort this? |
| 음식물 쓰레기는 따로 버리세요. | eum-sik-mul sseu-re-gi-neun tta-ro beo-ri-se-yo | Please separate food waste. |
| 비닐과 종이는 따로 버려야 해요. | bi-nil-gwa jong-i-neun tta-ro beo-ryeo-ya hae-yo | Plastic and paper must be separated. |
| 일반 쓰레기 봉투는 어디서 사요? | il-ban sseu-re-gi bong-tu-neun eo-di-seo sa-yo? | Where can I buy regular trash bags? |
| 분리수거를 잘해야 해요. | bun-li-su-geo-reul jal-hae-ya hae-yo | You must sort your trash properly. |
♻️ Recycling Tips in Korea
✅ In Korea, recycling rules are strictly enforced.
✅ You need specific bags for food and general waste.
✅ Many apartments have multiple bins for separating materials.
✅ Always clean and empty containers before recycling.
📝 Practice Time!
1️⃣ What’s the Korean word for “plastic”?
2️⃣ How do you say “Can this be recycled?” in Korean?
3️⃣ What’s the word for “recycling bin”?
Comment your answers below and practice with the community!
📚 Want to Learn More?
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