Environmental Management Administration

Taiwan is surrounded by the ocean on all sides and boasts rich, diverse marine ecosystems and abundant tourism resources. To maintain and protect our coastal environments, members of the public are encouraged to participate in beach cleanup activities to jointly reduce coastal litter and marine pollution. The public can search for open cleanup events or apply to organize their own cleanup via the "Coastal Cleanup Information Platform." Before joining a cleanup, it is recommended to verify the event location, waste disposal procedures, and safety precautions. After the event, waste should be sorted according to guidelines. If any suspected hazardous waste is found, do not attempt to move it yourself; instead, report it to the competent authority in accordance with official guidelines.

Members of the public can search for open beach cleanup events or apply to organize their own cleanups via the "Coastal Cleanup Information Platform." Prior to the event, it is advisable to confirm information such as the cleanup location, regional coastal waste collection procedures, designated disposal points, and contact windows. In recent years, an increasing number of local governments, civil society organizations, and enterprises have organized beach cleanups, providing the public with opportunities to protect our coastlines together. Beyond improving coastal conditions, these efforts aim to enhance environmental awareness through hands-on participation, reduce waste generation at the source, and safeguard marine ecosystems.

Before taking part in a beach cleanup, ensure proper self-protection by preparing work gloves, litter pickers, and trash bags. Wear closed-toe shoes and long sleeves, bring drinking water, and apply sun protection. Monitor the weather and marine tides a few days before the event; if weather conditions are unfavorable, suspend the activity to avoid dangerous situations.

Besides common items like plastic bottles, glass, and fishing nets, beaches often harbor potentially dangerous "coastal hazardous waste," such as syringes, lighters, compressed cans, broken glass, chemical containers, and unidentified objects. To help the public and cleanup volunteers identify and handle hazardous items more safely and efficiently during coastal cleanups, the administration has established the "Guidelines for Reporting and Cleaning Up Hazardous Coastal Waste." These guidelines center around a four-step framework: Discover → Observe → Assess → Handle, guiding the public to correctly identify and manage hazardous coastal waste.

1. Discover (be alert): watch for suspicious items, such as rusted cans, broken syringes, unknown liquids, sharp metal objects, or large unidentified waste.
2. Observe (evaluate): examine the item from a safe distance to see if it looks unusual, damaged, broken, emits a pungent odor, or shows signs of leaking liquid.
3. Assess (avoid contact): if you suspect an item may pose a risk, do not move or open it. Take a photograph and record or mark its location.
4. Handle (report): report the item to the local government or relevant authorities for handling by professional personnel, ensuring safety and proper disposal.

Upon finishing a cleanup, waste should be categorized into general waste, recyclables, fishery waste, and hazardous waste, and disposed of according to local government regulations. If suspected hazardous waste is discovered, do not attempt to move or transport it yourself. Report it in accordance with the relevant guidelines so that competent authorities or trained professionals can assist, ensuring operational safety.

• General waste and recyclables: gather, sort, and arrange for collection and disposal in accordance with local government regulations.
• Safely collectible hazardous waste: collect using appropriate containers, mark the location, and notify the local government or sanitation team for removal.
• Flammable and toxic chemical containers: if there is a risk of leakage, call 1999 immediately to notify the local government. If safe to do so, collect using appropriate containers, mark the location, and notify the local government or sanitation team.
• Explosives and protected wildlife carcasses: Do not move. Immediately dial 118 for the Coast Guard Hotline or report to the relevant competent authorities.
• Dangerous marine organisms or unidentified objects: Leave in place, avoid touching or stepping on them, and report to the relevant authorities when necessary.

Protecting coastal environments requires joint participation from both government and citizens. Since the launch of the "Salute to the Sea" initiative, mechanisms such as coastal patrols, regular cleanups, public reporting, and post-disaster emergency cleanups have been continuously implemented. Integrating aerial drone technology and AI image recognition has boosted inspection efficiency, steadily reducing the impact of coastal debris and hazardous waste on the environment and public safety.

Public participation in beach cleanups not only helps maintain clean coastal environments but also serves as a vital action to curb marine debris. Beyond participating in cleanups, practicing waste sorting in daily life, reducing single-use plastics, and preventing illegal dumping are essential ways to minimize coastal waste, allowing us to maintain a clean, safe, and sustainable coastal environment together.