🛋️ Bulky Waste Disposal in Korea
Moving out or replacing furniture? In Korea you must report and pay a small fee before putting out large items like sofas, beds and wardrobes. Pick your district to see the exact fees (23,109 items in 143 districts).
Don't buy a sticker for big appliances. Korea's free appliance pickup service comes to your home and takes them for free — even a single item. Small appliances (microwave, fan, vacuum, small TV/monitor) are free when you have 5 or more.
Phone line: weekdays 08:00–18:00, mostly in Korean. Remove wall-mounted units first and empty the fridge. Furniture is not collected by this service — use the district bulky waste report below.
How to throw away furniture in Korea (4 steps)
- Report it · Find "대형폐기물 배출 신고" (bulky waste report) on your district office (구청·시청) website or app, or visit your local community center (주민센터).
- Pay the fee · Pay online, or buy a bulky waste sticker (납부필증) at the community center or a convenience store that sells them.
- Attach the sticker or number · Stick it where it's easy to see, or write your report number on paper and tape it to the item. One per item.
- Put it out on the date · Leave it at the spot you were told (in front of your building, or where your apartment office says).
Typical fees across Korea
| Item | Typical | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Sofa | ₩5,500 | ₩1,000 – ₩25,000 |
| Bed | ₩8,000 | ₩500 – ₩43,000 |
| Mattress | ₩8,000 | ₩2,000 – ₩30,000 |
| Wardrobe | ₩11,000 | ₩2,000 – ₩27,000 |
| Desk | ₩5,000 | ₩1,000 – ₩15,000 |
| Dining table | ₩6,000 | ₩500 – ₩22,000 |
| Chair | ₩4,000 | ₩1,000 – ₩33,000 |
| Bookshelf | ₩6,000 | ₩1,000 – ₩15,000 |
| Bicycle | ₩3,000 | ₩1,000 – ₩25,000 |
| Piano | ₩13,000 | ₩2,000 – ₩40,000 |
Fees vary by size (1-seat vs 3-seat sofa, single vs double bed). Check your district for the exact amount.
Need help in your language?
Call 1345 (Immigration Contact Center, weekdays 09:00–22:00). It offers counseling in 20 languages, including English, Chinese, Vietnamese, Thai and Russian, and can help with interpretation when you deal with a government office. After 18:00 only Korean, English and Chinese are available.
FAQ
- Q. How much does it cost to throw away a sofa in Korea?
- It depends on your district and the size. Across 143 districts, a sofa is typically around ₩5,500, ranging from ₩1,000 to ₩25,000. Pick your district above to see the exact fee.
- Q. Can I throw away a refrigerator for free?
- Yes. Book the free appliance pickup service (1599-0903 or www.15990903.or.kr). Fridges, washing machines, air conditioners and large TVs are collected for free, even one item.
- Q. Where does this data come from?
- The Korean government's open data portal (data.go.kr, "National Bulky Waste Collection Fee Standard Data", as of 2026-09-14). Fees can change, so the amount shown when you report is final.
- Q. My district is not listed.
- Some districts have not published their fees yet. Search "대형폐기물" on your district office website, or ask your community center (주민센터) or apartment office.
Bulky waste fees by district
Seoul: Gangnam-gu · Gangseo-gu · Gwanak-gu · Guro-gu · Nowon-gu · Seocho-gu · Seongbuk-gu · Yangcheon-gu · Yongsan-gu · Jongno-gu · Jung-gu · Jungnang-gu
Gyeonggi-do: Gapyeong-gun · Goyang-si · Gwacheon-si · Gwangmyeong-si · Namyangju-si · Dongducheon-si · Suwon-si · Siheung-si · Ansan-si · Anseong-si · Anyang-si · Yangju-si · Yangpyeong-gun · Yeoju-si · Osan-si · Yongin-si · Icheon-si · Paju-si · Pyeongtaek-si · Hwaseong-si
Incheon: Ganghwa-gun · Gyeyang-gu · Namdong-gu · Michuhol-gu · Seohae-gu · Jemulpo-gu
Busan: Gangseo-gu · Geumjeong-gu · Nam-gu · Dongnae-gu · Busanjin-gu · Buk-gu · Sasang-gu · Saha-gu · Seo-gu · Suyeong-gu · Yeonje-gu · Yeongdo-gu · Haeundae-gu
Daegu: Nam-gu · Dalseo-gu · Dalseong-gun · Dong-gu · Buk-gu · Suseong-gu · Jung-gu
Gwangju: Gwangsan-gu · Seo-gu
Daejeon: Daedeok-gu · Dong-gu · Seo-gu · Yuseong-gu · Jung-gu
Ulsan: Nam-gu · Ulju-gun · Jung-gu
Sejong: Sejong-si
Gangwon: Gangneung-si · Donghae-si · Samcheok-si · Yangyang-gun · Yeongwol-gun · Wonju-si · Jeongseon-gun · Cheorwon-gun · Chuncheon-si · Taebaek-si · Pyeongchang-gun · Hongcheon-gun · Hwacheon-gun
Chungcheongbuk-do: Danyang-gun · Okcheon-gun · Jecheon-si · Jeungpyeong-gun · Jincheon-gun · Cheongju-si · Chungju-si
Chungcheongnam-do: Geumsan-gun · Dangjin-si · Boryeong-si · Buyeo-gun · Seosan-si · Asan-si · Yesan-gun · Hongseong-gun
Jeonbuk: Gochang-gun · Gunsan-si · Namwon-si · Muju-gun · Wanju-gun · Iksan-si · Imsil-gun · Jangsu-gun · Jeonju-si · Jinan-gun
Jeollanam-do: Gangjin-gun · Gurye-gun · Suncheon-si · Sinan-gun · Yeosu-si · Yeonggwang-gun · Yeongam-gun · Wando-gun · Jangseong-gun · Jangheung-gun · Jindo-gun · Hwasun-gun
Gyeongsangbuk-do: Gyeongsan-si · Goryeong-gun · Gumi-si · Seongju-gun · Andong-si · Yeongdeok-gun · Yeongju-si · Yeongcheon-si · Yecheon-gun · Uljin-gun · Cheongdo-gun · Cheongsong-gun · Pohang-si
Gyeongsangnam-do: Geochang-gun · Goseong-gun · Gimhae-si · Sacheon-si · Uiryeong-gun · Jinju-si · Changwon-si · Hadong-gun · Hamyang-gun · Hapcheon-gun
Jeju: Seogwipo-si