Working towards a zero waste environment in Taiwan

Abstract

It is essential to the achievement of zero waste that emphasis is concentrated on front-end preventions rather than end-of-pipe (EOP) treatment. Zero waste is primarily based on cleaner production, waste management, the reduction of unnecessary consumption and the effective utilization of waste materials. The aim of this study was to briefly review the tasks undertaken and future plans for achieving zero waste in Taiwan. Waste prevention, source reduction, waste to product, waste to energy, EOP treatment, and adequate disposal are the sequential principal procedures to achieve the goal of zero waste. Six strategies have been adopted to implement the zero waste policy in Taiwan. These are regulatory amendments, consumption education, financial incentives, technical support, public awareness, and tracking and reporting. Stepwise targets have been set for 2005, 2007, 2011, and 2020 for both the municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial waste to reach the goal of zero waste. The eventual aim is to achieve 70% MSW minimization and 85% industrial waste minimization by 2020. Although tools and measures have been established, some key programmes have higher priority. These include the establishment of a waste recycling programme, promotion of cleaner production, a green procurement programme, and promotion of public awareness. Since the implementation of the zero waste policy started in 2003, the volume of MSW for landfill and incineration has declined dramatically. The recycling and/or minimization of MSW quantity in 2007 was 37%, which is much higher than the goal of 25%. Industrial waste reached almost 76% minimization by the end of 2006, which is 1 year before the target year.

Challenges and Opportunities in Transforming a City into a “Zero Waste City”

“…Many studies have been done in different cities to design effective waste management systems aiming at zero waste, including studies in Masdar City [27], Tshwane [28], Taiwan [29], India [30], Australia [31], Greece [32], and England [33]. However, there have been very few studies on a holistic approach to zero waste cities.…”

Examining the effectiveness of municipal solid waste management systems: An integrated cost–benefit analysis perspective with a financial cost modeling in Taiwan

“…In addition, TEPA starts to implement 3Rs programs by the command and control methods (e.g., mandatory recycling of due recycled materials) as well as economic instruments (e.g., deposit, green-label, charge and fees) (Bor et al, 2004;Chen and Wesseler, 2005;Lu et al, 2006;Weng et al, 2009a;Young et al, 2010). The MSW management programs put an emphasis, at first, on recycling by encouraging recycling activities as well as implementing mandatory waste separation and recycling within MSW collection.…”

“…Therefore, the quantity of MSW discards (the portion of MSW generation that is not recycled and has to be treated and disposed by the municipalities) continues to diminish, lowering the demand of the capacity for waste treatment and disposal facilities. Nowadays TEPA is attempting to achieve the ultimate goal of ''zero waste disposal'' by promoting recycling programs as well as encouraging waste reduction at sources and the reuse of recycled materials for potential marketing use (Young et al, 2010). For example, a part of discarded furniture is repaired by the local municipalities and to be sold in the second-hand markets.…”

Mandatory Recycling of Waste Cooking Oil from Residential and Commercial Sectors in Taiwan

“…Among these regulatory measures, WCO was first listed as one of mandatory recyclable wastes based on its potential for recycling and reuse. Subsequently, the WCO recycling system can be integrated into the 4-in-1 Recycling Program, which has been promulgated since 1997 [4,5]. Herein, the Program includes community residents, private sector (collectors and recyclers), local governments (municipal collection teams), and recycling fund.…”