One of the most significant environmental regulations in South Korea’s history came into effect on January 1, 2026, effectively banning the direct landfilling of untreated household waste in the Seoul Metropolitan Area. The decision, which affects Seoul as well as Incheon and Gyeonggi Province, has placed the capital in a critical position: current incineration capacity is insufficient to process the amount of trash generated daily. While city officials are attempting to remedy the shortage by building a massive new resource recovery plant, local resistance and legal battles have created a stalemate as existing landfills reach capacity.
Following a decision made years ago by the South Korean government and the Ministry of Environment, as of 2026, it is prohibited to transport household waste to the Sudokwon (Metropolitan) Landfill without prior incineration. This means only the ash remaining after incineration and non-combustible waste can be disposed of at the site. The regulation aimed to extend the lifespan of the country’s largest landfill and mitigate environmental pollution; however, implementation in Seoul has hit severe infrastructural limits.
A Quantified Crisis: 1,000-Ton Daily Capacity Shortage
Based on 2026 data, Seoul’s waste management balance shows a serious deficit. The metropolis produces an average of approximately 3,200 tons of household waste per day. In contrast, the city’s four currently operating resource recovery facilities (incinerators)—located in the Mapo, Nowon, Yangcheon, and Gangnam districts—are collectively capable of burning only 2,200–2,300 tons of trash per day.
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The Deficit: Nearly 1,000 tons of waste are generated daily for which there is no local treatment capacity.
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Logistical Strain: Prior to the ban, this surplus was sent directly to the Sudokwon landfill. Since January 2026, the city has been forced to use private incinerators or transport waste to distant provinces, significantly increasing logistical costs.
The Mapo Plan: Underground Incineration and Surface Parks
To bridge the 1,000-ton gap, the Seoul Metropolitan Government planned the construction of a modern resource recovery facility in Mapo-gu, adjacent to the existing incinerator. The project promises to be technologically revolutionary:
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Fully Underground Construction: To minimize environmental impact and visual pollution, the entire incineration technology would be located below ground level.
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Community Spaces: The surface would feature parks, cultural facilities, and recreational zones open to the public.
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Advanced Filtration: Utilizing state-of-the-art air filters, pollutant emissions are designed to be a fraction of legal limits.
The plan’s 1,000-ton daily capacity would exactly cover Seoul’s current shortage, making the capital self-sufficient in waste management.
The NIMBY Effect and Local Resistance
Despite technological promises, residents of Mapo-gu have engaged in fierce protests. A civil organization called the “Mapo Committee for the Abolition of the Incinerator” is challenging the investment on several fronts, arguing that the district already contributes its share to public services with the existing facility, and a new unit places an unfair burden on locals.
Key Resident Concerns:
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Health Risks: Residents fear the long-term effects of fine dust and dioxin emissions.
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Property Values: There are fears that a “dumping ground image” will significantly decrease market values.
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Legal Objections: Protesters claim the site selection process lacked transparency and violated environmental regulations.
Due to ongoing court proceedings in February 2026 and tensions at public hearings, the project’s construction is delayed, further deepening the waste management crisis.
Consequences and Regional Tensions
The direct landfill ban affects not only Seoul but neighboring regions as well. Incheon and Gyeonggi Province are also working to expand their own capacities, but the “Not In My Backyard” (NIMBY) phenomenon is hindering progress everywhere. If Seoul cannot build the new incinerator, the capital may be forced to store waste illegally or drastically increase waste collection fees to incentivize recycling and reduction.
City officials have currently ordered increased inspections of household waste sorting, hoping that improving selective collection efficiency can reduce the volume awaiting incineration by a few hundred tons daily. However, experts agree that without a structural solution—namely, new incineration capacity—the 2026 ban could lead to unsustainable conditions on the streets of Seoul.
Official Sources and References:
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Original Article: Korea JoongAng Daily – Inside Seoul’s trash troubles following landfill ban
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Government Background: Seoul Metropolitan Government – Resource Recovery Facilities
Image by SweetMedusa from Pixabay
