Standard garbage bags are produced at a factory in Seo-gu, Icheon, Gyeonggi Province, April 3. (Im Se-jun/The Korea Herald) RecyclablesThe key rule for recyclables is to make sure items are clean and not mixed with other substances.Used cup noodle containers made of polystyrene foam or paper are often too contaminated to recycle and should be disposed of as general waste.Cardboard and paper, such as receipts and boxes, are recyclable, but attached stickers are not. Remove stickers and dispose of them as general waste.Paper mixed with other materials, paper coated on both sides and insulated food delivery boxes that are difficult to separate by material should also be treated as general waste.If you live in a multihousehold building, there is likely to be a recycling station in a common area, usually near the parking lot.If you live somewhere without such a facility, recyclable waste should be placed in clear plastic bags. Do not use colored bags, as sanitation workers need to be able to check the contents from the outside. The government recommends placing each type of recyclable waste in a separate bag.Glass, plastic, polystyrene foam and metal are recyclable, but other materials must be removed first. Cans that contained liquid or gas should be completely emptied before disposal.Special and large waste itemsBroken glass should be wrapped in newspaper or other material to prevent injuries to workers and disposed of separately. Small amounts can be placed in general waste bags, but larger amounts must be placed in designated sacks for noncombustible waste. Contact your district office to find out where they are sold.Fluorescent lamps, batteries and textiles must be placed in their own designated collection boxes, which can be found on street corners or at community centers. Broken lamps should be disposed of separately, following the same rules for broken glass.Used clothes and shoes that are relatively clean should be placed in clothing collection boxes. Items too damaged to be reused, along with pillows and cushions, should be disposed of as general waste. Large blankets and some large pillows should be disposed of as large waste items.Larger items, such as furniture, televisions and plate glass, should be disposed of as large waste. Visit your local community service center or district office website to purchase disposal stickers, attach them to the items and place them in the designated pickup area.General English guides to waste disposal are available on the websites of many district offices, such as this webpage of the Yeongdeungpo-gu Office. Those who can read Korean can download the mobile app “Sort and Disposal in My Hand,” or Nae Son Aneui Bunri Baechul, which provides guidance on how to dispose of different types of waste.