Cultures around the world have many different characteristics. Some of these differences are over big issues like religion, customs, and politics. Others are a little more subtle.
In Korea, the waste disposal process is incredibly different from that in America. It took me a while to figure it out. Even on post, there are differences as the Army tries to conform to local laws. Most of this difference is as a result of a large requirement for the people to recycle. And recycling makes sense in this country which boasts a large population. I also believe that their way of waste removal also conforms to their culture that in its not to distant past was needing save or share every little scrap needed to survive.
On post, the biggest adjustment to the waste disposal practices are the little trash shacks scattered around post. Trash is not placed in curbside bins or dumpsters as we are used to in the states, but go into these shacks. The shacks are made of concrete block with a roof. When it is time to bring the trash down, we simply walk to the shack and open the door to throw our back to the top of the pile. The workers then stop by, about once a week or so, to throw each bag into the truck by hand. This is incredibly different coming from the world where the workers don’t even get out of the truck!
It is a different aspect of life that I experience here, it is not right or wrong, the Koreans do it their way for their own reasons. And too me it works pretty well.