Bin Buddy is a free AI-powered mobile app that tells foreigners in Korea exactly how to sort and dispose of their trash. Point your camera at any item, and get instant, district-specific recycling instructions in English.
Who is it for?
Bin Buddy is built for expats, English teachers, international students, military personnel, and anyone living in Korea who finds the recycling system confusing. If you've ever stared at a piece of trash wondering where it goes, Bin Buddy is for you.
How does it work?
Open the app, point your camera at any item, and the AI identifies what it is and tells you exactly how to dispose of it based on your specific district's rules. The whole process takes under 3 seconds.
Key Features
- AI image recognition trained on 100,000+ Korean household items
- District-specific rules for all 25 Seoul districts
- Full English and Korean bilingual support
- No account required — privacy-first design
- Free to use with optional Pro upgrade
Pricing
Bin Buddy is free to download and use. The core scanning and disposal instructions cost nothing. An optional Pro subscription is available for power users who want unlimited scan history, offline mode, and priority support.
Common Questions About Bin Buddy
Is Bin Buddy available on Android?
Bin Buddy is currently available on iOS with an Android version in development. Join our waitlist to be notified when the Android app launches.
How is Bin Buddy different from just using Google?
Google gives you generic recycling information about Korea. Bin Buddy gives you specific, district-level instructions for the exact item you're holding. It knows that Gangnam rules differ from Mapo rules, and it reads Korean labels so you don't have to.
Does Bin Buddy work with food waste?
Yes. Bin Buddy covers all waste categories including food waste (음식물 쓰레기), general waste, recyclables, and large item disposal. It tells you which bag to use and when to put it out.
Can I use Bin Buddy in Busan or Jeju?
Bin Buddy currently has district-specific rules for all 25 Seoul districts. For other cities like Busan, Jeju, Incheon, and Daegu, the app uses general Korean recycling guidelines which are about 90% accurate. Full city-specific support is being added.
What data does Bin Buddy collect?
Almost none. Bin Buddy doesn't require an account, doesn't store your photos (they're deleted immediately after scanning), and keeps all scan history locally on your device. We take privacy seriously.
Is there a web version of Bin Buddy?
Bin Buddy is currently a mobile-only app optimized for quick scanning on the go. A web-based item lookup tool is on our roadmap for future development.
How often are recycling rules updated?
We update district-specific rules weekly to ensure accuracy. When Korean local governments change their recycling policies, we update the app to reflect those changes.
Can Bin Buddy scan Korean text on packaging?
Yes. The AI can identify items even from Korean-only labels and packaging. You don't need to read or understand the Korean text — just scan it and Bin Buddy handles the rest.
What if Bin Buddy can't identify my item?
For unusual items, you can search our database of 10,000+ items manually. The community Q&A feature (coming soon) will also let you ask other users for help with tricky items.
Is Bin Buddy useful for Korean residents too?
Yes. While Bin Buddy was designed for foreigners, Korean residents also find it useful since recycling rules differ between districts. The app supports full Korean language and can help anyone navigate the complex system.