Gwangju (the metropolitan city in the south-west, not Gwangju in Gyeonggi-do) has five districts. Each sets its own collection days, times and large-waste booking.
Find your district’s days and times
- Your building — most buildings post the collection days and the place to put rubbish out. Ask the building manager (관리실) if you cannot find it.
- Your district office website — search for 생활폐기물 배출 (household waste) and 대형폐기물 (large waste) with your district name.
- The national sorting site — 분리배출.kr (Korean) shows local rules and collection points for your location.
- Your community service centre (주민센터) — they sell special sacks and can explain local rules.
| District | Search for days and times | Search for large waste |
|---|---|---|
| 동구Dong-gu | ||
| 서구Seo-gu | ||
| 남구Nam-gu | ||
| 북구Buk-gu | ||
| 광산구Gwangsan-gu |
Tap a search phrase to copy it, then paste it into Naver or Google to find your district’s official page.
The same everywhere in Korea
- General waste goes in volume-based bags (종량제 봉투) sold for your area.
- Food waste is separate — but bones, eggshells, shells and tea bags are not food waste.
- Recycling is free when sorted and clean; clear PET bottles are kept apart from other plastic.
- Large waste is registered and paid for; big appliances are collected free (1599-0903).
- Batteries, lamps, medicine and clothes have their own collection boxes.
Large waste in Gwangju
Register the item with your district before putting it out — on the district website, at the community service centre, or through a booking app if your district uses one (many districts use apps such as 빼기 / Bbegi). Pay the fee, attach the sticker or write the booking number on the item, and put it out on the agreed day.
Korean you will need
Which days do we put rubbish out?
쓰레기는 무슨 요일에 내놓아요?
sseuregineun museun yoire naenoayo?
I want to throw away furniture. How do I register large waste?
가구를 버리고 싶어요. 대형폐기물 신고는 어떻게 해요?
gagureul beorigo sipeoyo. daehyeongpyegimul singoneun eotteoke haeyo?
Questions
When can I put out trash in Gwangju?
Collection days and times in Gwangju are set by each of its 5 districts. Check the notice in your building, ask the building manager, or look up your district office website. Many areas collect in the evening or overnight.
Can I use garbage bags from another city or district in Gwangju?
No. Volume-based bags (종량제 봉투) are sold for a specific area; after moving to Gwangju, buy the bags sold for your new district at a convenience store or supermarket.
How do I throw away furniture or a mattress in Gwangju?
Register it as large waste (대형폐기물) with your district — online, by app, or at the community service centre (주민센터) — pay the fee, label the item and put it out on the agreed day. Big appliances such as fridges and washing machines are collected free: call 1599-0903.
Are bones and eggshells food waste in Gwangju?
Usually not. Food waste is made into animal feed and compost, so most areas — including Seoul’s official standard — treat bones, shells, eggshells, fruit pits and tea bags as general waste. If your district says otherwise, follow your district.
Where do batteries and medicine go in Gwangju?
Batteries go in battery collection boxes and medicine in medicine collection boxes — usually at the community service centre (주민센터), health centres and apartment complexes.
Sources
- Ministry of Climate, Energy and Environment — household waste sorting site, with local rules by location (Korean)
- Gwangju official website (www.gwangju.go.kr)
Last checked October 13, 2026. BinSum is not a government website; your district office has the final word.