By ESG Analyst Hanni Kim
In a world where nearly one-third of all food produced is wasted, contributing to 8-10% of global greenhouse gas emissions, South Korea has emerged as a global leader, transforming food waste into valuable resources. In just 29 years, South Korea had made a significant leap in food waste management going from a recycling rate of 2% to 95%, turning food waste into animal feed, compost, and renewable energy. By transforming waste into resources, the nation has significantly reduced its environmental footprint while fostering sustainable economic practices.
A Bold Approach to Food Waste
South Korea’s journey toward near-zero food waste began around the mid-1990s when the country’s waste disposal system was facing significant challenges. By 1995, food waste accounted for a substantial portion of the nation’s overall waste, contributing to overflowing landfills and the emission of methane, a gas with 20 times higher warming effect than carbon dioxide. In response, the South Korean government implemented a series of progressive policies aimed at reducing waste and promoting sustainability. In 2005, the country banned food waste from landfills, redirecting organic waste to recycling facilities. This policy marked the beginning of a comprehensive plan to address food waste at a a systemic level. By 2013, the government implemented a “pay-as-you-throw” system, charging residents based on the weight of their food waste. Recycling bins around the city of Seoul are equipped with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) that weigh food waste and charge money to the individual’s ID card. This innovation incentivizes citizens to minimize waste and ensure proper disposal. This system has proven effective, reducing food waste in Seoul alone by 47,000 tons annually while encouraging accountability among households
The Circular Economy in Practice
South Korea’s food waste management system is grounded in the principles of the circular economy, a model that emphasizes reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to create a sustainable, closed-loop system. Instead of viewing food waste as an environmental burden, the country has found ways to turn it into valuable resources, closing the loop in the food production and consumption cycle:
- Biogas Production
One of the most notable innovations in South Korea’s food waste management system is its biogas production facilities. Food waste is processed through anaerobic digestion, which produces biogas, a renewable energy source. This process not only reduces methane emissions but also generates enough energy to power thousands of homes across the country. For instance, the Daejeon Bioenergy Center produces biogas that powers approximately 20,000 households annually, showcasing the potential for food waste to contribute to national energy needs
- Composting and Urban Farming
Food waste is converted into nutrient-rich compost, which is used to support urban farming projects. South Korea’s cities, particularly Seoul, have embraced urban agriculture, with more than 170 hectares of land dedicated to community gardens and urban farms. The compost produced from food waste serves as an eco-friendly alternative to chemical fertilizers, benefiting both the environment and local food production
- Animal Feed
Another crucial aspect of South Korea’s circular economy is the conversion of food waste into animal feed. This reduces the need for agricultural products such as grains and soybeans, which are typically used in livestock feed. By diverting food waste to animal feed production, South Korea’s food waste management system provides an additional source of sustainable nutrition for the country’s farming sector
A Global Model for Change
South Korea’s food waste management system offers valuable lessons for the global community. Countries around the world, particularly in the European Union and parts of Asia, have already begun looking to South Korea’s example as they seek to address food waste and its environmental consequences. In particular, nations facing similar food waste and landfill issues, such as Japan and Denmark, have started to implement the pay-as-you-throw system and biogas production in their own cities. With food waste contributing to significant carbon emissions, scaling up these systems globally could play a pivotal role in mitigating climate change.
South Korea’s approach has proven that by viewing food waste not as a problem but as a resource, countries can address both environmental and social challenges. By integrating circular economy principles into national waste management strategies, South Korea has set a new standard for sustainability, one that other nations can emulate as they look for solutions to the global food waste crisis. As the world grapples with the twin challenges of waste and climate change, South Korea offers a compelling blueprint for sustainable development, proving that a waste-free future is not just an aspiration but an achievable reality.
References
Broom, D. (2019, April 12). South Korea once recycled 2% of its food waste. Now it recycles 95%. World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/stories/2019/04/south-korea-recycling-food-waste/
Earth.Org.. (2021, February 26). How South Korea Became an Example of How to Recycle Food Waste. Earth.org – Past | Present | Future. https://earth.org/food-waste-south-korea/
Jeong, A., & Yoon, J. (2024, August 9). South Korea recycles 98% of its food waste. What can it teach the world? Washington Post; The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/09/south-korea-food-waste-composting/
Marshall, S. (2022, July 19). South Korea’s Food Waste System is a Model for Developed Nations. Korea Economic Institute of America.https://keia.org/the-peninsula/south-koreas-food-waste-system-is-a-model-for-developed-nations
Pay-as-you-throw | Green Best Practice Community. (n.d.). Greenbestpractice.jrc.ec.europa.eu. https://greenbestpractice.jrc.ec.europa.eu/node/7
Pay-As-You-Throw Program Reduces Household Waste in Kyoto｜JFS Japan for Sustainability.
(2024). JFS Japan for Sustainability. https://www.japanfs.org/en/news/archives/news_id026871.htmlUnited Nations Environment Programme (2024). Food Waste Index Report 2024. Think Eat Save: Tracking Progress to Halve Global Food Waste. https://wedocs.unep.org/20.500.11822/45230.