Returning Empty Bottles in Korea: Check the Deposit Mark First
AI-created editorial concepts by KEYWORD_WORLD. The bottles, tags and counter are fictional; consult the official examples linked below for real deposit marks.
Before putting empty drink bottles in your recycling, check for a deposit-refund mark and an amount in won. Eligible bottles can go back to a retailer for a refund. Start with the marking on the bottle; its colour or shape alone will not tell you.
Read the mark, then the amount
COSMO’s official examples (IN KOREAN) distinguish reusable deposit bottles from ordinary glass bottles bearing a recycling mark. Keep those two groups separate. Empty jam jars, cosmetic containers and ordinary recycling bottles do not automatically earn a deposit.
The English COSMO guide lists these amounts for eligible bottles. KRW means Korean won. Read the actual bottle’s refund amount, especially if it is old.
| Bottle capacity | Deposit per eligible bottle |
|---|---|
| Under 190 mL | KRW 70 |
| 190 mL to under 400 mL | KRW 100 |
| 400 mL to under 1,000 mL | KRW 130 |
| 1,000 mL or more | KRW 350 |
A 400 mL bottle falls in the KRW 130 band; a 1,000 mL bottle falls in the KRW 350 band. COSMO also lists handling fees for businesses. Those fees are separate from your consumer refund.
Choose a return point before carrying the bottles
A retailer selling the relevant type of deposit product is a starting point. COSMO’s retailer FAQ (IN KOREAN) explains that the original place of purchase and brand do not determine eligibility when the shop handles the same deposit-product category. A shop handling alcoholic drinks may still be outside the return route for bottled soft drinks it does not sell.
For another option, use COSMO’s English return-point finder. It lists collection centres and automated return kiosks. Check the particular location before taking a heavy bag there.
Count the bottles and keep them ready for reuse
Seocho-gu’s official guidance (IN KOREAN; updated February 2, 2026) says a retailer may restrict the excess when a person returns more than 30 bottles in one day. If purchase at that retailer is confirmed, for example by a receipt, that excess-quantity restriction does not apply. Thirty is therefore not a universal maximum for every return.
Empty the bottles and keep foreign matter out. Visibly damaged or contaminated bottles are excluded under the district’s guidance. Our practical tip: use a sturdy carrier and keep the refund marking readable so staff can identify each bottle.
A phrase to show at the counter: 빈병 보증금 환불받을 수 있나요? — “Can I get the empty-bottle deposit back?” If a return is refused and you need help checking the rules, the official deposit-return reporting centre (IN KOREAN) lists 1522-0082. English telephone support was not confirmed.
Information checked: October 23, 2026 (Korea Standard Time). Check COSMO’s current guidance and the bottle’s own marking before returning it.
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