Starting this year, the Seoul metropolitan area is no longer allowed to dispose of household waste directly in landfills. The policy applies to Seoul, Gyeonggi Province, and Incheon and is intended to reduce environmental damage caused by landfill use.
As direct disposal is banned, recycling and waste-sorting facilities are taking on a larger role. These centers separate plastic bottles, cans, glass, and paper before the remaining waste is incinerated or reused. By removing recyclable materials in advance, cities can reduce the volume of trash sent to incinerators and help lower pollution.
Seoul currently operates 16 recycling plants, each handling between 40 and 150 tons of waste per day. Workers and automated machines sort materials by type and color. Some plastics are compressed or processed into fuel or reusable resources. City officials say the system helps cut costs and improve recycling efficiency.
Challenges remain. Experts warn that incineration facilities may face capacity limits as more waste is diverted from landfills. Local governments are working to expand recycling centers and upgrade waste-processing systems.
Officials say the landfill ban is a key step toward sustainable waste management. However, the residents must also do their part and separate trash at home for the policy to succeed.