Turning the tables on trash: How Korea achieved 98 percent food waste recycling
Date Sep 09, 2024
RFID food waste measurement system installed in an apartment complex in Seoul’s Songpa-gu District (Photo courtesy of Seoul Metropolitan Government)
Korea’s innovative approach to food waste management has garnered international acclaim. An August 9 Washington Post article cites an impressive 98 percent recycling rate that is attributed to Korea’s Ministry of Environment. The Post goes on to describe how the country has become a global model for environmental responsibility and sustainability. This success stems from both technological advancements and a shift in citizens’ attitudes toward waste.
Two decades ago, Korea banned food waste in landfills and mandated its separation from other recyclables. Residents in modern apartment complexes can now dispose of their food waste in ground-floor bins that are equipped with RFID card readers. Once residents scan their card, the lid opens, and they drop in the food waste. The waste is then weighed, and each resident is charged accordingly. If these automated containers are not available, residents buy biodegradable food waste bags. The bags are often kept in freezers to prevent the food from rotting and giving off an unpleasant odor. Once full, the bags are dropped in designated bins near the regular trash collection site for their building or neighborhood. The bags cost 100 won per liter, and the World Economic Forum estimates that they cost the average family of four US$ 6 per month.
This policy started a nationwide effort to address a critical environmental issue, fostering an advanced system that converts food waste into such valuable resources as animal feed, compost and energy. The high temperatures generated during processing are often repurposed to provide heating for local communities. This comprehensive approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes environmental impact. However, as the article points out, it is limited to cooler months and is not suited to perennially warm climates like parts of Viet Nam.
Korea recycles over 98 percent of its food waste into animal feed, compost and energy to heat homes. (Image courtesy of Shutterstock)
Still, the significance of Korea’s achievement becomes clear when considering the global context. According to The Washington Post article, “The U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization says up to 31 percent of all food gets wasted, which is enough to feed more than a billion hungry people. Food waste is estimated to cause 6 to 8 percent of global emissions.” This waste not only worsens climate change but also threatens biodiversity. Korea’s ability to recycle nearly all of its food waste stands in stark contrast to the global average, serving as a powerful example of what can be achieved with effective policies and public cooperation.
A key factor in Korea’s success is the cultural shift that has occurred alongside technological advancements. Recycling food waste has become second nature to Koreans, who understand that their participation is crucial to the system’s success. Public awareness campaigns and education programs have played a vital role in fostering this mindset, ensuring that everyone from schoolchildren to pensioners understands the importance of reducing, separating and recycling food waste.
Korea continues to innovate in this field, exploring technologies to improve the efficiency of waste processing. Research into how to turn food waste into biofuel and integrate artificial intelligence into waste collection systems is underway, further positioning the country as a leader in sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.
By prioritizing recycling and fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, Korea has not only addressed its own waste issues but set a global standard. The country’s achievement with food waste management serves as both inspiration and a call to action, proving what can be done through innovation, policy and public engagement.
As the global community confronts the environmental consequences of food waste, Korea is setting an example and exploring new strategies. The stakes are high as food waste contributes to climate change, resource depletion and biodiversity loss. The potential benefits of adopting a Korean-inspired approach to waste management are too significant to ignore.
The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism's "Korea Here & Now" work can be used under the condition of "Public Nuri Type 1 (Source Indication)."