National Institute of Environmental Research (NIER) reported Statistics on 2001 Waste Generation and Treatment. According to this report, 253 thousand tons of waste per day was generated, increased by 11.6% compared to 2000. 69.5% of the waste was recycled, increased by 1.8% and 20.7% was reclaimed, decreased by 1.7%.

From all waste, food waste generation has decreased by 1.7%, 197 tons per day, because of MOE's active promotion of food waste reduction campaigns. Economic benefits from food waste reduction are estimated 2,258 hundred million won, including waste treatment cost of 65 hundred million won.

Construction waste has increased by 37.8% compared to that of 2000 because of massive remodeling and reconstruction.