Government tosses strict regulations, eases garbage bag production, distribution

The government will temporarily ease regulations on the production and distribution of standard plastic garbage bags and packaging materials. Relevant ministries announced measures to "ease supply chain bottlenecks" at a joint briefing on Friday.

2026-04-03

Why are Koreans disposed toward trash bag panic buying amid the Middle East conflict?

While much of the world reacts to the ongoing conflict between the U.S., Israel and Iran by stockpiling bottled water or canned goods, Koreans have turned their attention to a more domestic essential: plastic garbage bags.

2026-04-02

Gov't mulls nationwide garbage bag purchase limits as hoarding persists

The government is considering limiting the number of standard plastic garbage bags each person can buy. The move comes as hoarding persists despite earlier purchase limits by local governments.

2026-04-01

Throw away garbage bags worries, gov't says amid Middle East conflict

The government on Monday urged the public not to worry about possible shortages of standard plastic garbage bags, despite the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

2026-03-30

Don't panic, trash bag supplies stable, says Korean government

The government and local authorities have moved to calm panic buying of trash bags, saying supply remains stable despite fears of raw material shortages linked to the Middle East conflict.

2026-03-29

Left holding the bag

2026-03-24

직매립 금지 이후 드러난 서울의 쓰레기 위기

In January, the central government banned the direct landfilling of household waste across the greater Seoul area, including Gyeonggi and Incheon, cutting off a longstanding outlet for garbage that was buried without pretreatment.

2026-02-16

Inside Seoul’s trash troubles following landfill ban

In January, the central government banned the direct landfilling of household waste across the greater Seoul area, including Gyeonggi and Incheon, cutting off a longstanding outlet for garbage that was buried without pretreatment.

2026-02-09

13 injured as garbage truck crashes into city bus after running red light

Thirteen people were injured in a collision between a garbage collection truck and a city bus near Sinmokdong Station on Seoul Subway Line 9 in Yangcheon District, western Seoul.

2026-01-06

'The stench makes it hard to walk': Illegal garbage dumping stinking up Ulsan

Ulsan faces increased illegal garbage dumping, particularly among foreign nationals. Authorities are implementing measures including surveillance and multilingual education to address the issue.

2025-04-15

korea joongAng daily