Kim Ye-seul downsized her refrigerator from the larger model on the right to the smaller one on the left in November. Courtesy of Kim Ye-seul

The necessity of ever-larger refrigerators is being questioned, as concerns about food waste and environmental sustainability grow. While fridges have long been seen as indispensable, some are challenging this notion, choosing smaller models or even living without one altogether.

Yoon Ho-seob, an 81-year-old honorary professor of visual communication design at Kookmin University, recalls the moment 30 years ago that made him ditch his refrigerator for good. “I opened the fridge door, and a black plastic bag fell to the floor. Inside were spoiled foods like croaker and ribs,” he said. The experience made him reflect on global food inequality. “How can there be starving children in the world while my fridge overflows with food waste? It's unacceptable.”

Since then, Yoon and his wife have lived without a refrigerator. Their meals consist of simple staples like rice, kimchi and salted seafood. When they receive gifts of fresh fish or meat, they eat what they can immediately and share the rest with neighbors. Yoon, who has minimized his energy consumption by forgoing a car and other conveniences, still keeps a TV and air conditioner but sees refrigerators as uniquely energy-intensive. “Unlike other appliances, refrigerators run 24/7,” he said. “It seems strange to heat the house while simultaneously cooling food inside a fridge, especially during freezing weather.”

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Are bigger fridges really necessary?

In Korea, refrigerators — often supplemented by kimchi fridges — are considered essential. The average home refrigerator now has a capacity of 900 liters, capable of holding 450 2-liter water bottles. Critics argue that this size is unnecessary and fueled by marketing from appliance and food companies.

Helen Peavitt, curator at the London Science Museum and author of “Refrigerator,” notes that refrigerators have reshaped modern eating habits. Before refrigeration, frozen foods like ice cream and pre-cut vegetables didn't exist. Fridges transformed food production, leading to bulk shopping and consumption habits that had been unimaginable before, the author points out. However, this has also contributed to massive food waste. Peavitt cites columnist Rose Prince, who described being caught in a "Keeping up with the Joneses" syndrome — buying foods not out of necessity but to emulate trends.

Downsizing for sustainability

With daily food waste in Korea reaching 15,000 tons, some are switching to smaller refrigerators to reduce their environmental impact. Kim Ye-seul, a 36-year-old zero-waste shop owner in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, downsized from an 825-liter fridge to a 205-liter model last November. “I started questioning whether relying on a big fridge reflected my true needs and decisions,” she said. Though her husband resisted going fridge-free, the smaller model has proven practical. “I can see all the ingredients at a glance, which helps me cook more efficiently and avoid waste,” she said.

Similarly, Jung Da-woon, a 38-year-old in Ulsan, switched from a large four-door fridge to a 344-liter one for her family of four. “The previous fridge was so deep that I often didn't know what was inside,” she said. Now, she shops more deliberately, keeps ingredients visible and cooks fresh meals, resulting in lower food bills and electricity costs. “I'd choose a smaller fridge again in a heartbeat.”

Smarter fridge use for everyone

Even without downsizing, adopting better habits can reduce waste. Kim Jin-sun, a firefighter and YouTuber who creates content on organizing, recommends regular fridge cleanouts and using smaller shopping baskets to avoid overbuying. “Quarterly deep cleaning helps prevent unnecessary waste,” he said.

Designer Ryu Ji-hyun, author of Zero Waste Kitchen, advises smarter storage methods, noting that many items don't need refrigeration. “Have you ever found a spoiled zucchini or discolored eggplant in your fridge? Many fruit like apples and mandarins don't require refrigeration,” Ryu said. “Simply removing unnecessary items from the fridge and storing them visibly can drastically cut food waste.”

As concerns about food waste and energy consumption grow, rethinking refrigerator use — whether by downsizing or adopting smarter habits — might be a step toward more sustainable living.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.