YUNLIN (TVBS News) — The Environmental Protection Bureau of Yunlin County (雲林縣環保局) reported on Tuesday (Aug. 20) a significant reduction in daily garbage volume since March. The county's initiative to inspect unbagged garbage has led to a daily average decrease to 350 to 360 tons, with monthly reductions and a notable increase in recycling.
Post-pandemic changes in consumption habits have caused an uptick in household waste, pushing daily garbage production close to 400 tons. Without an incinerator, Yunlin County has sought alternative waste management solutions, including the introduction of SRF fuel rod processing systems. Despite these efforts, household waste production continues to rise this year.
Starting in July, the bureau began returning unsorted garbage. Of the 2,000 household garbage bags inspected, 1,439 contained recyclable materials or food waste, resulting in a non-compliance rate exceeding 70%. The inspections uncovered nearly 3,000 recyclable items, with paper containers being the most common at 1,000 items, followed by 821 instances of food waste.
Chang Chiao-wei (張喬維), the bureau's director, stated that the county will continue to execute unbagged garbage inspections and the garbage return mechanism and strengthen garbage sorting advocacy.
He also warned that residents failing to comply with waste sorting regulations, even after guidance, will face fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000 under Article 12 of the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法).