Trash cans in Korea get smart

Global SourcesUpdated on 2023/12/01

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The country incorporates RFID technology in trash cans to monitor the disposal activity of its citizens.

These trash cans have helped Korea reduce household waste by 30 percent.
Source: Indiana Public Media

Municipal authorities in Seoul, Korea have introduced trash cans equipped with RFID technology to track what and how much the citizens are disposing. It also encourages people to segregate their wastes with specific bins designed for items, including cans, paper, bottles and plastic.

Back in 2013, South Korea learned that food waste contributed to an increase in insect population. Thus, these smart trash cans were created. Authorities have implemented that residents be required to use an RFID card to access public bins.

The card has a chip that contains the user’s name and address. This information allows the authorities who disposes what and how much waste is being thrown out. There is a disposal fee based on the weight of the trash bags.

Authorities reported that since the RFID trash bins have been implemented, the country has seen a drastic decrease in household waste by 30 percent.


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