Print

Mail

wiki links

EPA claims policy has seen nation's recycling rate jump

The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) claimed yesterday that the government's recycling policy has achieved "satisfactory" results, with the recycling rate rising to 12.7 percent last year.

As of the end of last year, the Cabinet-level agency said the number of Taiwan's recycling trucks had exceeded 1,945, which was sufficient to support recycling collection in cities, townships and villages twice a week.

According to the EPA, 72.4 percent of public agencies responsible for recycling -- namely city, township and village governments -- have set up recycling facilities.

The EPA added that 46 percent of local governments have reached the goal of collecting recyclable garbage twice a week, while 54 percent have not fully attained this goal. Among them, 10 percent have yet to start recycling; 26 percent only collect recyclable waste once a week; and certain areas manage to collect three or even more times per week.

To explore public opinion about garbage recycling, the EPA also conducted an opinion poll last year in which it sent out 38,000-plus questionnaires, receiving more than 20,000 valid responses.

The survey results show that 94 percent of the respondents were willing to have their waste recycled and only 6 percent said either that they were unwilling or had no opinion on the issue.

Meanwhile, 61 percent said they support a proposal for legislation that would require citizens to separate their recyclable materials from trash and would allow for the imposition of fines on those who fail to do so. However, 29 percent gave a thumbs-down to the proposal and 10 percent did not express an opinion.

According to EPA officials, more than 1.05 million tonnes of garbage were recycled last year, marking an increase of nearly 200,000 tonnes from the previous year. The recycling rate also rose from 9.79 percent in 2000 to 12.7 percent last year, marking a 23.3 percent growth.
This story has been viewed 1494 times.