The Environmental Protection Administration (EPA) yesterday introduced a raffle for car owners who dispose of their vehicles that were damaged in the flooding caused by Typhoon Morakot at certified vehicle collection junkyards.
The EPA introduced the raffle to prevent thousands of flood-damaged vehicles ending up on the illegal autoparts market or inadvertently harboring disease-bearing insects and pests.
“Because of the Morakot disaster, many cars in southern Taiwan were flooded and are now beyond repair,” Recycling Fund Management Board director Lin Chien-huei (林建輝) said.
Lin said about 100,000 cars were expected to be sold either on the second-hand or junkyard market from now until the end of the year.
However, if the cars are abandoned or disposed of improperly, in addition to the possibility of spreading disease, they may be taken apart and sold as parts on the illegal second-hand vehicle market, he said.
“To prevent the spread of the H1N1 flu epidemic and other contagious diseases, a speedy cleanup is necessary,” Lin said.
“From now until the end of the year, those who recycle their cars to EPA-certified junkyards are eligible to enter a draw in which we are giving away 100 KHS-brand foldable bicycles — with a retail value of NT$6,800 each — and Jack Wolfskin bike gears,” he said.
The value of the combined set exceeds NT$8,000, he said.
Owners of cars beyond 10 years old can also apply to the EPA for a NT$1,000 recycling reward, Lin said, adding that 10-year-old motorcycle owners were eligible for a NT$300 reward.
For more information on vehicle collections or to schedule a pick-up, call 0800-085-717.
Eight restaurants in Taiwan yesterday secured a one-star rating from the Michelin Guide Taiwan for the first time, while three one-star restaurants from last year’s edition were promoted to two stars. Forty-three restaurants were awarded one star this year, including 34 in Taipei, five in Taichung and four in Kaohsiung. Hosu (好嶼), Chuan Ya (川雅), Sushi Kajin (鮨嘉仁), aMaze (心宴), La Vie by Thomas Buhner, Yuan Yi (元一) and Frassi in Taipei and Front House (方蒔) in Kaohsiung received a one-star rating for the first time. Hosu is known for innovative Taiwanese dishes, while Chuan Ya serves Sichuan cuisine and aMaze specializes
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