In Taiwan, 2% of its municipal solid waste is disposed of by landfill.[1] As of 2013, there are a total of 404 landfills in Taiwan.[2] Public landfills in Taiwan can be divided into sanitary landfill and basic landfill. The former has detailed regulations specifying it to prevent secondary pollution while the latter has none.[3]
History
Taipei's official landfill moved from near Songshan Airport to what became known as Neihu Garbage Mountain [zh] in Huzhou, Neihu District, in 1970. This location handled Taipei's waste disposal needs until 1985, when the Fudekeng location became operational.[4] The first sanitary landfill in Taiwan was constructed in 1984.[2]
Issues
Due to the land scarcity in Taiwan, building new landfills is difficult and is often met with opposition from nearby residents.[5] Common problems caused by landfills are increased traffic volume, higher noise level and damage caused by vibration.[6] Companies generally need around two years to construct a new landfill, due to lengthy negotiations with local residents who usually oppose the construction. There are also many illegal landfills in Taiwan which do not meet the minimum standard requirement. In summer 1997, trash were pilling up on the streets of Zhongli City, Taoyuan County for several weeks due to the unavailability of new landfills.[3]
Landfill restorations
Many of the landfills that have reached their capacity have been converted into parks and community centers.[1] The Environmental Protection Administration stated in 2011 that they would excavate old landfills for some materials and energy recovery, as well as adding bio-energy to the incinerator plants around Taiwan.[7]
