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| *Travel Tips>>>Korea Travel Tips |
Why are there so few garbage cans in Korea? |
Travel Info This doesn't make sense, especially for Seoul, which has a population of 10 million people. I'm not sure about the rest of you, but has anyone else noticed that Korea has a lack of garbage cans? Sometimes I have to walk two three blocks just to find a bin to put my trash! Why is that? Travel Tips Eun L is correct with the information regarding the use of "pay-per" garbage bags in Seoul. They are trying to avoid people dumping their garbage for free. But he left out a major historical reason: Korea, mainly Seoul, has been home to many protests through the years, most peaceful recently, but some not. (recently, one man set himself on fire and died, adn one farmer tore apart a live baby pig) Garbage cans were frequently used to house small explosive devices, which then rained garbage on everyone nearby. These were extremely unsafe, especially in a closed-in area like an underground subway stop, so garbage cans were removed from those spaces. I think South Koreans are outgrowing the violent protest, especially since they never lead to anything, and then, I suppose, you will see garbage cans in the subway. And while Eun L is correct, Koreans keep a very clean home, it is not uncommon to see anyone outside of a GS25 open a snack and toss the wrapper on the ground if a garbage can cannot be found. Others I can't speak without true knowledge of the area, but if it was anything like my visit to the phillippines (I am half pinoy) then it is probably because of the easy access to rivers and streams. Seems like everyone likes to just toss their garbage in the local bodies of water. I've also seen many many pictures of the same practice in other countries. Because the city government requires us to use the special trash bags that we have to buy for our personal garbage. It is easier to use the plastic bags and put them out on trash pickup days. Also, you have to sort your personal garbage for recycling - solids, paper, and wet. Large apartment buildings do have them outside - just not in a location visible to the public. As far as finding a public container it all depends on the area and the street you are on. If you are on small side-streets there are none. If you are on a main street they are there but often not noticeable. There is almost always one at bus stops. Koreans by nature are a very clean people that is why you will never find a dirty house in Korea. On my little side-street there are older men and women that work for the city walking around during the day picking up trash and the street cleaning truck washes my street one or two times daily. I've been to the Philippines and I'd hope that no sees any comparison between there and Korea. We do not throw our trash in rivers like they do in Manila! I noticed the same thing in the Philippines. My wife who is Filipino told me that they steal garbage cans for the Tin, to get money. Don't know if true for Korea, but it may be the answer. I'm not sure every one is getting the meaning of your question. Why are there so few Public trash bins? I think it may have something to do with the recycling that they do in Korea. I lived there for 10 years. Each week in my apartment complex we had to seperate all trash. Bottles, plastic, milk cartons, cardboard ,cans, each in there own separate container. Also waste food was disposed of daily into a plastic garbage can which was removed on garbage day. Clearly the south korean society is much better at recycling than we are. This doesn't answer why there are so few "public" trash bins. And the fact that there are so few may explain the excess number of cigarette butts and food wrappers littering the streets. Although I'm not sure if it more than some cities in the US. My wife (Korean) would always complain because I always kept butts and wrappers in my pockets until I found a trash receptical. Now in US she still leaves butts in our backyard. asian countires just lack garbage cans. japan lacks garbage cans as well.. they kinda expect you to take your trash home or either finish your junk at the store. to the person above me.. i think.. not asian countries go to singapore.. theres a bin every 2 steps u walk.. anw to ur question.. i-dont-know.. =D sry |
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