Environmental Management Administration

Statistics show that between 2019 and 2023, there were approximately 322,952 cases nationwide involving violations of Subparagraph 1, Article 27 of the Waste Disposal Act (“the Act”). Among these, approximately 250,628 cases involved cigarette butt littering, accounting for 77.6% of all cases. This indicates that nearly three-quarters of all enforcement cases involved the littering of cigarette butts. Under the Act, individuals who discard cigarette butts are subject to fines ranging from NT$1,200 to NT$6,000.

To create a high-quality and healthy environment, nationwide cigarette butt cleanup activities will be promoted to increase environmental awareness among the public. The goal is to create an environment free of cigarette butts, improve environmental quality, and enhance living conditions through the following programs:

• A. Organize and conduct cigarette butt cleanup activities to enhance environmental awareness. Local governments and organizations will be invited to jointly organize events in tourist areas and other cigarette butt litter hotspots. The public will be encouraged to help maintain environmental cleanliness and support the goal of keeping cigarette butts off the ground.
• B. Collaborate with convenience stores on public awareness campaigns to educate the public on the impacts of cigarette butt pollution. Businesses will be encouraged to voluntarily maintain the cleanliness of areas surrounding their premises to reduce litter caused by cigarette butts and other waste as well as cigarette butt littering on streets.
• C. Work with local governments and the media to inspect stormwater drains. Target stormwater drainage channels will be selected for inspections and media coverage. Drain covers will be opened and documented to educate the public not to dispose of cigarette butts in drains.
• D. Promote environmental sanitation inspection and enforcement programs to encourage compliance. Environmental sanitation inspection and enforcement programs will be developed, and video recordings and surveillance cameras will be used to identify cigarette butt littering violations and impose penalties.
• E. Consult environmental organizations on solutions to cigarette butt pollution. Brainstorm with environmental organizations to develop innovative approaches and practical solutions for addressing cigarette butt littering.
• F. The ministry’s National Environmental Research Academy will study the microplastic content of cigarette filters and assess the ecological impacts of these plastic particles. When cigarette butts enter the environment, such as through sewer systems, the microplastics released during decomposition become mixed with microplastics from other sources. Relevant domestic and international reports on ecological impacts will be collected and analyzed.

• A. Renovation and construction of high-quality public restrooms
  • (1) To create high-quality public restrooms and improve environmental quality, the Executive Yuan approved the “Promotion Plan for High-Quality Public Restrooms and Beautiful Environments” (2019-2024). Through this program, local governments received subsidies for the construction and renovation of public restrooms, improving restroom quality and providing safe, comfortable, and dignified restroom environments. As of April 2024, 4,290 public restroom construction and renovation projects had been subsidized. To ensure project quality, public restroom construction inspections were conducted, and experts and scholars were invited to provide professional guidance to enhance construction standards.
  • (2) On April 3, 2024, the Executive Yuan approved the “Beautiful Environment Promotion Plan” (2025-2030), with an approved budget of NT$7.77081 billion. The program continues to promote the replacement and renovation of aging public restrooms, strengthen local governments’ environmental recovery capabilities following natural disasters, and improve environmental quality through the development of demonstration sites incorporating local features (such as distinctive public restrooms). The “Cost-Benefit Analysis Report for Preferred and Alternative Options” and the “Operational Guidelines for Beautiful Environment Promotion Plan Subsidies” were completed and submitted to the Legislative Yuan and the Executive Yuan for record on April 16 and May 1, 2024, respectively.
  • (3) The “Guidelines for Supervising Public Restroom Construction and Renovation Projects” were established to assist local governments in supervising and effectively managing project implementation progress during three major phases: the design phase, the procurement and tendering phase, and the construction execution phase. The guidelines were distributed to county and city governments on April 17 to improve the quality of public restroom projects.
  • (4) To enhance the aesthetics of public restrooms and provide users with comfortable, reassuring, and pleasant restroom experiences, a public restroom design competition was organized. The competition aimed to introduce innovative concepts for mobile, street-side, and permanent public restrooms and improve the service quality of public facilities. Following a preliminary review and the final evaluation on May 1, 2024, three entries received Excellence Awards and five received First-Class Awards from among 16 shortlisted entries, with the results announced on May 15.
  • (5) A draft “Taiwan Dry Toilet Pilot Program” was prepared. On May 16, a dry toilet experience-sharing meeting was convened, inviting organizations that have already installed dry toilets in Taiwan to share their experiences and discussing implementation plans with local governments.
• B. Improving public restroom quality
  • (1) To maintain the quality of public restroom environments during the Lunar New Year holiday period, the public was invited to participate in monitoring public restroom quality from February 4 to February 17. Members of the public were encouraged to actively report public restroom maintenance issues during the holiday period.
  • (2) A draft “Guidelines for the Registration, Maintenance, and Management of Public Restrooms” was prepared, establishing principles for the registration and management of public restrooms and outlining key maintenance and management requirements. The draft was discussed with local governments and, following revisions, was provided to local governments for implementation.
  • (3) Public restroom culture is being promoted through radio broadcasts that encourage proper restroom etiquette, including messages such as “Flush toilet paper down the toilet,” “Clean up after yourself if you make a mess,” and “If you encounter a public restroom cleaner, do not hesitate to say, ‘It's very clean, thank you.’”
• C. Future initiatives
  • (1) A draft “Gender-Friendly Restroom Promotion Plan” will be established. When carrying out public restroom renovation and construction projects, all agencies will be requested to comprehensively consider improvements relating to basic facilities, gender inclusiveness, and other aspects in order to enhance restroom friendliness.
  • (2) Public restroom and environmental sanitation inspections will be strengthened through the promotion of environmental sanitation inspection and enforcement programs and mystery shopper programs, covering public restroom inspections, vacant houses and lots, construction sites, environmental sanitation issues, and cigarette butt littering, with the aim of improving environmental cleanliness.
  • (3) The QR code-based public restroom quality reporting mechanism will be enhanced by improving reporting interfaces, reporting procedures, location identification functions, and activity implementation methods, thereby strengthening communication and interaction with the public.
  • (4) In response to demographic changes such as population aging, the expanded deployment of smart sensors in public restrooms will be reviewed and promoted. Sensors may monitor factors such as user traffic, odors, remaining toilet paper, and hand soap levels, providing real-time information to restroom management authorities for prompt cleaning and helping them more effectively plan cleaning schedules and replenishment frequencies.
  • (5) To comprehensively improve the quality of public restrooms nationwide and foster a positive atmosphere of benchmarking and learning, public restroom evaluation programs will be conducted. Outstanding facilities will be selected and recognized through awards ceremonies in acknowledgment of the hard work and dedication of their management units.

The Ministry will continue its efforts to improve the cleanliness and quality of public restrooms throughout Taiwan by establishing sound public restroom management systems, strengthening environmental cleanliness inspections and enforcement, and enhancing public outreach and communication. Subsidies are provided to local governments for public restroom cleaning and maintenance, while members of the public are encouraged to participate in public restroom quality evaluation programs. Through the development of high-quality public restrooms, strengthened environmental cleanliness measures, and targeted improvement initiatives, the ministry aims to enhance environmental sanitation and provide the public with restroom facilities that are safe, comfortable, and dignified.

• A. Protecting every inch of coastline through clear coordination and division of responsibilities

  On Sept. 23, 2023, the Executive Yuan approved the second phase of the “Salute to the Sea — Coastal Cleanup and Maintenance Plan (2024-2027).” Under the “Salute to the Sea” policy, cross-ministerial integration is promoted through coordination by the Ministry of Environment (MOENV; through the Environmental Management Administration), which oversees the participation of 15 agencies from nine ministries, including the Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Transportation and Communications, Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ministry of National Defense, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Agriculture, Ocean Affairs Council, and Ministry of Education. These agencies review and coordinate coastal cleanup activities and source-control management measures, while working with 19 local governments. Guided by the concept of ocean friendliness, the policy is implemented through five major dimensions: cleanup, reduction, disposal, transparency, and education. Through cleanup mechanisms based on regular cleanup, immediate cleanup, and emergency cleanup, the goal is to keep every inch of Taiwan's 1,990 kilometers of coastline clean.

• B. National coastal waste volume reduced by nearly 60% over the past four years (2019-2023)

  Following the Executive Yuan’s approval of the “Salute to the Sea - Coastal Cleanup and Maintenance Plan (2020-2023)” (Phase 1) on May 7, 2020, central government agencies and local governments invested personnel and financial resources to clean coastlines under their jurisdictions from 2020 through 2023. Nationwide, more than 230,000 metric tons of waste were removed from coastal areas. The ministry conducted coastal waste surveys, which showed that the volume of coastal waste nationwide in 2023 had decreased by nearly 60% compared with 2019, demonstrating the effectiveness of coastal cleanup and maintenance efforts.

  The ministry worked with the Water Resources Agency of the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA)to implement river waste interception operations through source reduction, reuse, and recycling measures, thereby reducing the amount of waste requiring coastal cleanup each year by intercepting land-based waste before it enters rivers. Statistics for 2020 through 2023 show that there were 1,243 fixed interception points nationwide, including 535 floodgates, 42 pumping stations, and 666 other interception points, as well as 32,175 mobile interception points. Together, these efforts intercepted approximately 40,000 metric tons of waste.

  Coastal waste cleanup begins with source reduction. The Fisheries Agency of the Ministry of Agriculture has promoted a real-name registration system for fishing nets and fishing gear, replaced expanded polystyrene floats used in aquaculture with environmentally friendly floating devices, and established temporary storage areas for aquaculture waste. The MOEA and the MOENVhave promoted river surface waste interception and made government-wide procurement contracts for the reuse of waste polystyrene and waste wood materials (including oyster farming racks) available to relevant agencies, thereby establishing appropriate recycling and reuse channels and mechanisms.

• C. Implementation results in 2024

  From Jan. 1 to April 30, 2024, central government agencies and local governments invested manpower and financial resources in cleaning coastlines under their respective jurisdictions and completed the first-quarter survey of coastal cleanliness. Nationwide, more than 8,379 metric tons of waste were removed. The ministry also worked with the Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs to carry out river waste interception operations to reduce the amount of waste reaching the coast. Statistics for January through March of 2024 show that there were 1,258 fixed interception points nationwide, including 544 floodgates, 42 pumping stations, and 672 other interception points. In addition, 32,921 mobile interception operations were conducted, intercepting approximately 1,429 metric tons of waste.

• D. Future directions

  Going forward, efforts will continue through coastal cleanliness surveys and monitoring, on-site inspections, and aerial patrols. Additional measures will include improving AI-powered marine debris identification capabilities and enhancing public reporting channels in order to further improve coastal cleanliness.

• A. Convening regular coordination meetings

  The Minister of Environment and the Minister of Health and Welfare jointly chair the “Executive Yuan Important Mosquito-Borne Disease Prevention and Control Meeting.” The meeting is held once a month, with its frequency adjusted as necessary in response to epidemic developments. Central government agencies and local governments are invited to participate to communicate disease prevention policies, coordinate prevention and control efforts, review results, and strengthen the inspection and follow-up of vacant lots, vacant buildings, and public construction sites.

• B. Enhancing dengue fever prevention and control measures

  o facilitate early preparedness and prevention of dengue fever outbreaks and to ensure the effective elimination of mosquito breeding sources, thereby strengthening response capabilities, enhanced dengue fever prevention measures for 2024 were developed. On Jan. 25, 2024, environmental protection agencies were convened to discuss dengue fever prevention. On Feb. 26, 2024, the Ten Enhanced Dengue Fever Prevention Measures for 2024 were issued, including public health education and awareness campaigns, diverse mobilization efforts to eliminate mosquito breeding sources, large-scale mobilization programs, establishment of baseline data and geospatial positioning, inspection and evaluation mechanisms, external auditing, enhanced inspections of vacant buildings, vacant lots, and construction sites, equipment coordination, preparation of necessary supplies and pesticides, and adoption of a policy of avoiding pesticide spraying unless strictly necessary.

• C. Launching the nationwide dengue fever source elimination campaign
  • (1) On March 7, 2024, the “Dengue Fever Source Elimination Mobilization Plan” was issued for implementation from March 25 to April 12, 2024. Based on the principles of “routine prevention” and “preventing disease spread,” the ministry worked with local governments to encourage communities, volunteers, and civil organizations nationwide to carry out “Inspect, Empty, Clean, and Scrub.” A total of 21 county and city governments participated in the campaign.
  • (2) A press conference was held and a press release was issued on March 20, 2024, and a related announcement was posted on the ministry’s Facebook page on April 2, calling on communities, volunteers, and civil organizations across the country to participate in the “Inspect, Empty, Clean, and Scrub” initiative.
  • (3) Public service broadcasting resources were obtained through the Executive Yuan. Beginning April 1, promotional messages were displayed for two weeks on LED screens at 73 locations nationwide, including railway stations, freeway service areas, hospitals affiliated with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, motor vehicles stations under the Highway Bureau, and local tax administration offices. Beginning May 1, the campaign was also broadcast on 198 radio stations nationwide for one month according to scheduled airtime arrangements.
  • (4) Promotional broadcasts were aired through Cheng Sheng Broadcasting Corp. beginning March 21 for a period of ten days, reaching an audience of approximately 36.2 million people. The primary audience included farmers, fishers, laborers, homemakers, and drivers.
• D. Strengthening public education and outreach

  On Jan. 30, 2024, the ministry organized the “One-Day Junior Director-General” environmental education and family event to promote dengue fever prevention and control. On Feb. 21, 40 key personnel from local governments were convened, and the and the Environmental Protection Departments of Taipei City and Kaohsiung City were invited to share their dengue prevention experiences. During March and April, the National Environmental Research Academy conducted six regional sessions of “Dengue Vector Control Training Workshop.” On April 22, as part of the 2024 Earth Day event “My Actions Reduce Plastic: Plant-Based and Waste-Free Family Day” held at Daan Forest Park, the public was educated on dengue prevention measures. On April 26, in anticipation of the rainy season, local governments were requested to continue strengthening supervision of environmental inspections, mosquito breeding source elimination, public education, and drainage ditch dredging. On May 7, central government agencies and local governments were requested to strengthen oversight of dengue prevention measures at high-risk sites under their jurisdiction, continue environmental inspections, promote container reduction, and remove water-holding containers to prevent mosquito breeding. From January through April 2024, local governments conducted 3,654 public education and outreach events.

• E. Resource preparation and inspections
  • (1) In 2024, NT$39,321,368 in dengue prevention funding was provided to county and city environmental protection agencies to support dengue prevention activities, including the procurement of disease-control supplies, pesticides, spraying equipment, and mowing machines.
  • (2) A nationwide inventory was conducted of equipment and supplies available for environmental disinfection and cleanup operations. As of May 14, 2024, the inventory included 2,561 sprayers, 836 fogging machines, more than 84,000 liters of liquid environmental pesticides, and 5,864 kilograms of solid environmental pesticides.
  • (3) During January-April of 2024, local government inspections mobilized 328,276 people, removed mosquito breeding sources at 429,057 locations, carried out pesticide spraying at 12,293 locations, and issued 1,242 enforcement citations. Central government ministries will continue to conduct inspections at the 1,991 vacant lots, vacant buildings, and construction sites under their management.
• F. Future priorities

  Environmental sanitation inspection and enforcement programs and mystery shopper programs will be established, covering public restroom inspections, vacant houses and lots, construction sites, environmental sanitation issues, and cigarette butt littering, with the aim of improving environmental cleanliness. The ministry will continue tracking the removal of dengue fever vector mosquito breeding sources and make every effort to prevent the spread of dengue fever outbreaks.

• A. Establishing a Smart Monitoring and Remote Enforcement Mechanism for Waste Clearance and Transport Vehicles

  The Administration promotes a joint enforcement model involving environmental authorities, prosecutors, and police agencies. From 2015 through the end of April 2024, environmental authorities and the Third Brigade of the Seventh Special Police Corps under the National Police Agency jointly investigated environmental crimes. A total of 2,326 cases involving 7,104 suspects were referred for prosecution, and 925 pieces of machinery and equipment were seized. These efforts have effectively combated environmental crime, with significant results.

  Traditional law enforcement efforts have generally focused on investigating offenses after they occur. However, by the time such offenses were uncovered, large quantities of waste had often already been illegally dumped, resulting in substantial environmental restoration costs. One major reason is that unscrupulous operators may switch off onboard GPS tracking devices while transporting waste or use waste-hauling vehicles that are not covered by the regulatory tracking system, thereby evading controls over waste flows.

  To effectively track the flow of industrial waste, a new smart monitoring mechanism capable of prevention and real-time response is needed to stop pollution from spreading. From a pollution prevention perspective, the Administration has designated remote enforcement as a key policy and adopted a forward-looking approach to developing comprehensive environmental improvement strategies, shifting from passive responses to proactive pollution detection. In illegal dumping hotspots, the Administration has established the “AI Geofencing for Illegal Waste Dumping.” By deploying license plate recognition and e-Tag systems at illegal dumping hotspots and along key inter-county routes, the system provides 24-hour remote monitoring of waste transportation activities. It can rapidly identify abnormal transportation activities, such as vehicles detected on the road without corresponding tracking data or with route deviations, allowing authorities to take immediate action in accordance with the law. This effectively enhances enforcement efficiency and prevents pollution from spreading further.

• B. Results of Smart Analytics

  Since September 2023, 11 monitoring sites have been installed in phases at waste dumping hotspots and along major transport routes. These monitoring sites identify the license plates of large vehicles and use AI modules to analyze anomalous patterns. As of the end of March 2024, the system had identified 5,143 regulated waste clearance and transport vehicles. It had also flagged 262 vehicles exhibiting anomalies and referred the associated cases to city and county governments for investigation and law enforcement. The system can substantially reduce attempts by illegal operators to evade regulatory controls and encourage operators of regulated waste clearance and transport vehicles to rectify abnormal tracking patterns.

• C. Future initiatives

  The Administration will formulate a medium- to long-term program and seek NT$1.43 billion in funding over six years to expand the system to 1,000 monitoring sites. In addition, existing monitoring resources across government agencies will be integrated to create a denser smart fence network. The Administration will also establish a smart enforcement decision-making center and apply remote enforcement to regional environmental governance, thereby enhancing enforcement effectiveness.