Taiwan's resource recycling policy is based on source reductions, recycling and reuse of all materials. In an effort to put the Resource Recycling and Reuse Act into full play, the EPA will continue to divide work among various government agencies and promote efficient reuse of resources in all fields. Full cooperation of the citizenry will help ensure timely implementation of various measures to achieve the goal of zero waste.

Waste management today is different from the past focus on end-of-pipe management. Taiwan's resource recycling and reuse system curbs the generation of waste by adopting concepts and methods based on source reductions, recycling and reuse of all materials. Consideration is also given to conservation of energy and resources. The main concepts behind waste management policy are reduction, resource recovery, reuse and recycling.

Source Management, Resource Recycling and Reuse Act Promulgated

Taiwan promulgated the Resource Recycling and Reuse Act (資源回收再利用法) on 3 July 2002 to promote efficient use of resources. This Act is built around the concept of product life cycles and comprehensive planning starting from initial design, manufacture, and use, and extending to recovery and reuse. The Act comprises six parts starting with guiding principles, source management, operations management, guidance and incentive measures, penalties and an appendix.

After the Act was promulgated, the EPA's Renewable Resource Recycling and Reuse Promotion Committee (RRRRPC) was established in 2003. This committee reached the following consensus: the EPA should actively convene ministries for negotiation and discussion on the drafting of a "Resource Recycling and Reuse Promotion Plan Framework," to be proposed to the committee for review. This framework was built to achieve the objectives of waste reduction and resource recovery. Work was divided among each ministry in the "Resource Recycling and Reuse Promotion Plan" based on the Act's goals for source management, operations management, guidance and incentive measures. Eight main strategies (see chart) were developed with the planned timeline lasting from 2004 to 2020.

Since implementation of the "Resource Recycling and Reuse Promotion Plan," results of the RRRRPC's work and related resource recycling and reuse promotion efforts have been shared with each ministry and are shown on the "National Resource Recycling and Reuse Information Network.".

Management of industrial waste reuse and renewable resources involves various ministries and requires their promotion of resource recycling and reuse. The same is true for activities to select outstanding performers in industrial waste and renewable resource clearance and treatment. In order to expand practical exchange and bring resource recycling objectives to fruition, the EPA organized the "Plan for Promoting Integrated Resource Recycling and Reuse and Selecting Outstanding Industry Performers" in 2007. The RRRRPC, the Renewable Resource Recycling and Reuse Working Group, and the National Resource Recycling and Reuse Information Network all work together as an exchange platform to effectively promote resource recycling and reuse among all ministries. The current framework plan for promoting resource recycling policy is shown in the chart.

Regulations integrate life cycle concept for greater environmental benefits

Changes that have happened since the promulgation of the Resource Recycling and Reuse Act necessitate some of the content to be revised. To ensure this Act is implemented in a practical manner, the EPA revised Article 6 on 21 January 2009. The original article states, "in order to achieve sustainable reuse of resources based on feasible technology and economics, the use of materials should prioritize reduced generation of waste. After a material loses its original usefulness, further use without making physical changes should be the first consideration, followed by recycling into another product, energy recovery and finally appropriate treatment." To this it has been added that, "Maximization of the lifecycle of materials shall be considered so that those finding best overall environmental benefits of waste are exempt from the above order of prioritization."

As for now and the near future, general waste clearance and treatment work will continue to be based on zero waste, source reductions, and resource recycling. This will be implemented through a combination of plans and measures including the "Mandatory Garbage Sorting Promotion Plan," the "Food Waste Recovery and Reuse Plan," the "Garbage Treatment Follow-up Plan," the "New Image for Incineration Plants" project, the "Environmental Science and Technology Park Promotion Plan," the "Implementation Plan to Evaluate Newly Announced Recyclables," and the "Plan to Raise Recycling Rates of Announced Recyclables." With reference to a baseline of 8.33 million tonnes of garbage generated in 2001, total reduction goals set for years 2007, 2011, and 2020 are 25%, 40% and 75%, respectively. The 2007 goal has already been reached.

In terms of the management direction for industrial waste, the Resource Recycling and Reuse Act has set forth a 17-year Resource Recycling and Reuse Promotion Plan. Since implementing horizontal mechanisms to facilitate cross-ministerial work, each type of industrial waste recycling and reuse has already reached a 70% reuse rate. The EPA will cooperate with each ministry in the future to promote efficient recycling and reuse of resources, while at the same time minimizing generation of industrial waste and maximizing reuse.

Cross-ministerial promotion of resource recovery to promote zero waste

The EPA deemed a system of economic incentives as the most effective method to promote industry's voluntary participation and investment in resource recycling. This strategy calls for measures such as special financing deals, tax deductions and exemptions, and deductions on investments. It also includes assistance in obtaining environmental technology or land for renewable resource recovery and reuse. These measures were drawn up in coordination with the EPA's Environmental Science and Technology Parks.

Another part of promoting resource recycling and reuse among all ministries includes promoting further transparency and exchange of information by establishing new Web pages, announcing progress reports, and progressively achieving information disclosure goals, as well as providing channels for all circles to exchange views.

Appropriate treatment of waste and recycling of resources is an important issue that is intrinsically linked to everyone's lives. In the future, the EPA will continue to work through all government agencies and divide the task of recycling among all fields as well as seek the cooperation of citizens to help put measures into practice. With everyone's help, Taiwan will soon be able to realize its zero waste goals, enhance environmental quality, and establish a sustainable homeland.