26 Aug South Korea’s Recipe for Managing Food Waste: From Crisis to Circular Success
Tracing the Roots of the Food Waste Crisis
In the mid-1990s, South Korea was facing a serious waste crisis. Overflowing landfills and the pungent smell of decay were part of everyday urban life. Traditional Korean meals that are rich with many small side dishes known as banchan, paradoxically, contributed to one of the highest per-person food waste rates in the world, exceeding 130 kilograms annually. This mounting problem demanded urgent action.
In response, the South Korean government initiated a series of transformative policies aimed at curbing food waste:
- 1995: The Volume-Based Waste Fee (VBWF) system was introduced, charging households based on the volume of waste they generated using special designated bags.
- 2005: Direct landfilling of food waste was banned, pushing for alternative processing methods.
- 2013: Compulsory use of biodegradable food waste bags was implemented alongside a pay-as-you-throw model utilizing RFID-equipped smart bins for precise tracking and billing.
These forward-thinking policies laid the foundation for what would become one of the most effective food waste management systems globally.
By the Numbers: Measuring Progress
From a mere 2% recycling rate in 1995, South Korea’s efforts have propelled it to an astonishing 97–98% recycling rate, accompanied by a meaningful reduction in the overall volume of food waste.
Source: Statista 2025
The above chart illustrates the food waste recycling rate in South Korea from 2014 to 2023. In 2014, the rate was about 94%, but it declined slightly in the following years, staying around 89–91% between 2015 and 2020, with the lowest point in 2021 at about 88%. However, from 2022 onwards, there was a significant improvement, with the recycling rate sharply rising to 98% in 2022 and remaining very high at nearly 98% in 2023. Overall, the graph shows that while South Korea maintained a consistently high food waste recycling rate throughout the period, there was a notable surge in performance after 2021.
Why Food Waste Matters
Food waste is more than just something going uneaten; it’s a global crisis with far-reaching consequences:
- Nearly one-third of all food produced is lost or wasted globally, which is enough to feed billions of people.
- This inefficiency costs the global economy up to US $1 trillion annually.
- Food waste accounts for approximately 10% of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions.
- About 30% of agricultural land and significant freshwater resources are devoted to producing food that is ultimately wasted.
In essence, food waste destabilizes food security, contributes massively to environmental degradation, and drains economic resources worldwide.
Best Practices to Reduce Food Waste from South Korea
- Implement Economic Incentives and Policy Frameworks
South Korea’s Volume-Based Waste Fee (VBWF) system and pay-as-you-throw models charge households based on the volume of waste they produce, creating strong motivation to reduce food waste and encouraging responsible disposal habits. - Leverage Technology for Efficient Waste Management
The deployment of RFID-enabled smart bins allows precise tracking and fair billing of food waste. Using biodegradable bags and removing moisture from waste before disposal significantly decreases volume and collection costs. - Promote Resource Recovery and Circular Economy
Food waste is transformed into valuable products like biogas, bio-oil, fertilizers, and animal feed. Large-scale processing centers generate clean energy and stimulate sustainable resource use, closing the waste loop. - Support Urban Agriculture through Composting
Recycled food waste compost fuels urban farms and community gardens, with government subsidies covering most startup costs. This fosters community engagement and contributes to local sustainable food production. - Engage and Educate the Public Continuously
Nationwide campaigns such as the “Day of No Food Waste” and eco-friendly restaurant initiatives foster a cultural shift toward waste reduction. Early involvement of grassroots groups and ongoing education ensures lasting behavioral change and smooth scaling of programs.
These five integrated approaches demonstrate South Korea’s comprehensive strategy that other countries can adapt to effectively reduce food waste while building sustainability into their food systems.
Five-Year Snapshot
Source : Statista 2025
The graph illustrates the trend of food waste generation in Seoul, South Korea, between 2018 and 2022. In 2018, food waste amounted to about 155 million waste container units, which declined to just under 150 million units in 2019. A sharp increase occurred in 2020, reaching a peak of approximately 162 million units, likely influenced by lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic, when people consumed more meals at home. However, food waste levels began to fall afterward, decreasing to around 157 million units in 2021 and further dropping to about 149 million units in 2022, nearly the same level as 2019. Overall, the data indicates the effectiveness of waste reduction efforts or shifts in consumer habits in recent years.
Between 2018 and 2022, South Korea maintained an outstanding food waste recycling rate of approximately 97–98%. A continued reduction in food waste volume (a 10% drop observed between 2013 and 2019) signals not just policy effectiveness but lasting behavioral shifts. The nation’s infrastructure and innovative policy support the ongoing transformation of waste into biogas, fertilizer, and urban agricultural inputs.
Final Thoughts
South Korea’s transformation from a nation overwhelmed by landfilled food waste to a global leader in almost total recycling is a testament to foresight, innovation, and community spirit. In an era defined by climate change, scarce resources, and growing food insecurity, their model shows that with the right mix of policy, technology, and people power, the ethos of “waste not” can become a cornerstone of sustainable living worldwide. South Korea’s success isn’t just an environmental story; it’s an inspiration and blueprint for the global community striving for a zero-food waste future.
Blog by Shreya Ghimire,
Research Analyst, Frost & Sullivan Institute
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