This week on Jeju: A to Z, Todd Thacker takes a brief look at the island-wide “Clean House” system that, since 2006, has helped organize Jeju’s garbage disposal and recycling.
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March is again upon us and with it, some really nice weather. It’s no coincidence, then, that this is a good time to give our homes a thorough “spring cleaning.”

But this begs the question: on a small island like Jeju, where does all the trash and all the recyclables go? Clearly space here is at a premium, so the need for an efficient recycling system is all the more urgent.

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3,000+ ‘Clean Houses’ set up since 2006

It’s been nearly a decade since Jeju instituted a so-called “Clean House” garbage and recycling collection program. These facilities -- each of which costs about 15 million won -- are strategically located in neighborhoods all around the island... at present over 3,000 in all.

Clean Houses have different colored bins for the efficient separation of recycling and waste -- white for general refuse, orange for paper, and green for plastic and metal. Separate smaller bins for glass and food waste are also often available.

In order to ensure that your recyclables are collected in an orderly fashion, please observe some of these basic rules.

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Prepaid garbage bags for food, household waste

Be sure to rinse all food containers, flatten cardboard boxes, and dispose of glass in a safe manner. Keep all food and burnable waste strictly separate and use the white and yellow pre-paid garbage bags for these kinds of refuse. Also, be sure to remove labels from containers and dispose of packing tape attached to any cardboard.

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Larger items must have prepaid stickers attached

Larger items such as old furniture can be disposed of at Clean Houses, but a pre-paid sticker must be purchased at your local district office. This includes particularly unwieldy items like TVs, mattresses and ceramics.

Keep in mind some of these tips as well. Recycling is mandatory and fines can and will be issued. Food waste should only be disposed of after dark especially during the summer months. And though smaller electronics are permitted to be left at Clean Houses, cell phones must be disposed of at your local district office.

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Todd Thacker

So far, Jeju’s Clean House system has been deemed quite successful in keeping the island clean and environmentally conscious. However, as the island’s population continues to increase -- and with it the amount of garbage -- everyone needs to do their part and follow these simple rules.

Todd Thacker KCTV