Shopping bags

Bags aren't
free here

No free bags at

CVS · Mart

Paper bag

₩100-300

Disposable cup

+₩300 dep.

Store fine

Up to ₩3M

Place	What to expect
Convenience storesGS25, CU, 7-Eleven, eMart24	No free plastic bags. Buy a paper bag at the counter, or take items by hand.
Large supermarketsE-Mart, Lotte Mart, Homeplus	No free bags. Reusable bags sold near checkout (~₩500-1,500).
BakeriesParis Baguette, Tous les Jours	Plastic bags banned since 2022. Small bread bags still free.
Cafés & chain coffeeStarbucks, Twosome, Hollys, Mega	Disposable cup ban rolling out. Expect a deposit or BYO cup discount.
Traditional marketsGwangjang, Tongin, Mangwon, Namdaemun	Plastic bags still allowed. Many vendors will hand them out.

Pack a foldable tote

Anything that crushes into a pocket works. Convenience-store "market bags" cost ~₩1,500 if you forget yours, but the cute Korean illustrated totes at Daiso are ₩2,000-5,000 and double as a souvenir.
Carry small change

A 100-won coin solves the convenience-store paper-bag problem and tips a market vendor for a free bag swap. T-money cards work too.
Bring your own coffee cup

Starbucks, Twosome, and most cafés give a ₩300-400 discount for tumblers. Some chains will fill any clean cup you bring.

Trash bags Trash bags are different. Korea uses district-specific paid jongnyangje bags for trash. Don't confuse them with shopping bags.
Recycling Recycling is enforced. Most accommodations sort plastic, paper, food waste, and general. Your host will usually post a guide.
Reusable Daiso has the cheapest cute totes. The Korean-illustrated foldable ones are ₩2,000-5,000 and pack into a cosmetic pouch. Souvenir + utility.

Updated April 2026.