[Sportschosun, Jang Jong-ho] A so-called garbage disposal service that takes payment to dispose of people’s trash for them has emerged as a new business in China, drawing attention.
According to Chinese media outlets including Sina Finance, garbage disposal services are spreading in which workers collect trash bags left outside customers’ front doors and dispose of them at designated locations.
Prices vary by region and service method, but generally range from 3 to 5 yuan per pickup, or approximately 600 to 1,000 won. Monthly subscriptions cost around 100 yuan, or approximately 20,000 won.
A 28-year-old woman identified as A began offering the service in Hangzhou, China, charging 3 yuan per pickup and 99 yuan per month. The service covers trash weighing up to 5 kilograms. Customers text her the location of the garbage and leave the bag outside their door; she then collects it, disposes of it, and sends a photo as proof. The entire process is conducted without face-to-face contact.
She receives an average of five to six orders a day. Alongside garbage disposal, she also offers to collect packages on customers’ behalf.
The emergence of such services is linked to the spread of a consumer trend known in China as the “errand economy.”
In addition to seemingly minor tasks such as taking out the trash, various everyday services have emerged, including receiving packages, waiting in line, running errands, and accompanying children to and from school. The garbage disposal service is also seen as part of this broader trend.
Some people have responded with puzzlement, asking, "Is it really that difficult to carry a garbage bag outside and throw it away?" However, actual users appear to rely on the service for a variety of reasons.
In some parts of China, garbage can be disposed of only during designated hours, making it difficult for office workers to use the service themselves. A user in Shanghai explained that some apartment complexes limit garbage disposal to four hours a day—two hours in the morning and two hours in the evening. For people who commute to work, it is not easy to fit their schedules into those time slots.
The service is also reportedly in demand among people who are reluctant to go outside or prefer to stay at home.
Older adults are also considered a key customer group. The service can be useful for elderly people living in buildings without elevators and for those with limited mobility.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
This article has been translated by GripLabs Mingo AI.
