A legislator today called for heavy penalties for illegal waste disposal, after a “mountain of trash” was discovered at a scenic spot in her constituency in Kaohsiung.
Anyone who illegally dumps garbage for profit should be “fined until they go bankrupt,” Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Chiu Yi-ying (邱議瑩) said, adding that she supports amending the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法) to increase penalties.
Her comments come after a “mountain of trash” was discovered within her constituency at Yanchao Moon World (燕巢月世界), a scenic area in Yanchao District (燕巢).
Photo: Lin Hui-chou, Taipei Times
The Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Bureau dispatched personnel to investigate after receiving a report of illegal dumping, finding that the household waste had originated from locations, including Tainan.
The bureau this morning dispatched 13 trucks from seven districts to begin the clean-up.
The local police unit has also launched an investigation to find the source of the trash by tracking suspicious vehicles and reviewing home security footage provided by residents.
The source of the waste is believed to be an unknown business that has dumped trash on multiple occasions, the bureau said.
Contravening Article 36 of the Waste Disposal Act, which prohibits improper disposal of industrial waste, currently carries fines of between NT$6,000 and NT$3 million (US$192 and US$96,200), it said.
Offenders may also be prosecuted under Article 46 of the act, which prohibits illegal waste dumping and carries a sentence of between one and five years in prison and a fine of up to NT$15 million.
Chiu also suggested that once the offenders are found, their names and photographs should be released publicly and their vehicles confiscated, as is the case for drunk drivers.
Her constituency contains many remote areas that are at high risk of illegal waste dumping, she added.
Suspected illegal waste dumping can be reported by calling 1999 or 07-7317600, the bureau said.
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