The moment of reckoning arrives at the baggage carousel in the dormitory hallway. A suitcase that once seemed spacious now bulges with souvenirs, clothes, and semester essentials. Many exchange students and long-term visitors encounter this exact crisis in Seoul: a suitcase that passes the zipper test but fails the airline scale.
Korea’s waste disposal system adds a layer of complexity. Household waste must be sorted into designated bags purchased at convenience stores. General trash, food waste, and recyclables each have specific disposal points. Clothing and household items are not typically tossed into general bins. The question becomes less about what to discard and more about where to discard it legally and respectfully.
