As Cleveland considers policy shifts to address illegal dumping and enforcement hurdles, a model from halfway around the globe offers some insight. South Korea tackles the issue with technology, strict penalties — and cash rewards paid directly to residents.
According to Jayun Kim, a visiting fellow in Environmental Health Sciences at The Ohio State University, South Korea has implemented strict waste disposal regulations under the amended Waste Control Act. This came after the country banned direct food waste going to landfills in 2005. Authorities then amended the Waste Control Act in 2012 to implement more comprehensive waste disposal systems.
“The core of South Korea’s strategy relies on volume-based waste fees, multi-layered surveillance, and steep penalties,” Kim said. “Since South Korea is a smaller country in size, the culture emphasizes respect for shared spaces and personal belongings, reinforced by social pressures and increased surveillance.”
Keri Kee, a former resident of Willoughby, moved to South Korea in 2013. She immediately noticed the difference in waste management between the United States and South Korea.
“I was really impressed and also a bit intimidated when I first got to South Korea because they are very thorough with their garbage and recycling,” Kee said. “There was even an incident when I first arrived where I incorrectly threw something away and an older man yelled at me for doing it wrong before showing me the correct way.”
Lessons from South Korea
Government platforms, such as KakaoTalk, a popular “all in one” app, allow citizens to easily report municipal issues and coordinate services. Kee emphasized that user-friendly technology and accessible public services make compliance pretty seamless.
Residents can schedule oversized item pick-ups online, in-person or through apps for modest fees. It costs $5 to $6 for mattresses and $10 to $11 for treadmills, she said. Major electronic recycling is offered for free by local authorities.
A Recycle House outside of Kee’s apartment. These buildings follow South Korea’s strict waste‑separation and recycling system. Credit: Courtesy of Keri Kee 
Cans sorted, waiting for pickup in a South Korea Recycle House. Credit: Courtesy of Keri Kee 
Photos inside of the Recycle House outside of Kee’s South Korea apartment. Sorted items may include recyclables, food waste, clothing donations and more. Credit: Courtesy of Keri Kee
“All you have to do is call or go into the local office to get the sticker, place the item with the sticker outside, and they will come pick it up for you, for a small fee. There’s no limit on how many times you can use it, but they won’t take any items that aren’t stickered properly,” Kee said. “We threw out old luggage and it cost around $2.25. Our old desk was only $3.75. I didn’t have to drive to the dump like I used to in Ohio. They came right to my apartment to pick it up.”
Strict penalties, inspections and cash rewards
Despite the ease of throwing out bulk items, Kim noted that illegal dumping still occurs. Minor costs can accumulate over time, he said, leading some residents to try to bypass fees. And busy lives can cause some people to become lax with thorough sorting.
Additionally, systemic issues play a role. For example, designated food waste bags are often sold in bulk bundles. That forces residents who only generate small amounts of waste to purchase more than they need, Kim added.
Fines start at $40 to $80 for minor food waste disposal. They scale up to $150 for failing to use designated waste bags, $800 for large item dumping, and up to $8,000 for hazardous waste violations.
“Trash collectors regularly inspect general waste bags to trace violators through delivery receipts and discarded materials” Kim said. “Residents are typically notified of infractions within a few days and are given two to three weeks to pay the fine.”
Officials also use widespread CCTV networks, dedicated enforcement teams, and mobile apps like KakaoTalk to allow for rapid reporting. Those who report verified violations can earn cash rewards ranging from 10% to 50% of the collected fine or a fixed reward of $7 per verified violation.
Building civic consensus for the future
While South Korea’s waste management model relies heavily on high-tech surveillance and strict regulations, its core strength lies in strong community consensus.
“One of those areas is individualism versus collectivism, where America scores high on individualism and South Korea scores high on collectivism. Americans see themselves as individuals rather than as a collective or community,” Kee said.
Keri Kee
Kim encourages local leaders to focus on building that consensus by improving public communication and municipal services before attempting to introduce strict enforcement or fine structures.
“For Cleveland, adapting these practices doesn’t require immediate, drastic enforcement changes,” Kim said.
The city can lay the foundation by modernizing reporting tools and streamlining bulky item collection, he said.
Kee noted sustainable environmental habits stem from viewing waste reduction as a shared community responsibility rather than an individual burden. She remembered Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions theory, which compares society on a scale in six different areas. Americans score high on individualism and South Koreans scores high on collectivism, Kee said.
“Americans see themselves as individuals rather than as a collective or community,” she said. “In South Korea, collectivist values are taught from a young age, particularly thinking of your neighbor, helping others who need it, treating elders with respect, not touching others’ belongings, and respecting community areas.”
“Trash is part of that mindset, as littering and illegal dumping affect all of us and the community negatively,” Kee said.
