1.TOWARDS AN ECO-CITY - SUSTAINABLE URBAN LIVING IN TAIPEI
The Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection
(DEP), the leading agency for environmental management and
stewardship, is one of the more diverse agencies in local
government, protecting air, water, and land. DEP is divided into
six divisions, in charge of air quality and noise control, water
pollution, vector and toxic chemical substance control, waste
management
and
recycling,
environmental
maintenance,
garbage
and
removal
environmental
and
impact
assessment and evaluation. The ultimate goal of Taipei City
Government (TCG) is to establish a sustainable city, so that
citizens can enjoy a clean and safe living environment.
2. BRIEF HISTORY OF DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION
(DEP)
On July 1, 1968, Taipei City was upgraded to the status of a
municipality. The Department of Environmental Protection’s
basic duties include sanitation maintenance and waste
management, namely the treatment of sanitary sewage and
removal of trash. The Environmental Sanitation Department
was established on Oct. 30th in the same year. It was
responsible for air pollution control, water pollution control,
and garbage and sewage disposal. Taipei City Government
dissolved the Environmental Sanitation Department on July 1,
1982 and set up the current Department of Environmental
Protection (DEP). The DEP first worked to step up the control of
noise, vectors and toxic chemical substances.
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3.TAIPEI CITY ENVIRONMENTAL STATUS
Population
App. 2.69 million people
Area
App. 271.8 km2
Climate
Geography
Hydrology
Weather
Environmental
Education
Facilities
Taipei has a monsoon-influenced humid subtropical
climate. Summers are very hot, humid, and
accompanied by occasional heavy rainstorms and
typhoons, while winters are short, mild and
generally very foggy due to the northeasterly winds
from the vast Siberian High being intensified by the
pooling of this cooler air in the Taipei Basin.
Taipei City is situated at the northern tip of Taiwan.
Nestled in the center of the Taipei Basin, Taipei's
terrain is higher in the northeast and southeast
regions, consisting mostly of volcanic mountains
and hills that occupy more than half of the city.
In Taipei City, the Jingmei, Xindian and Tamsui
Rivers snake through the south and west rims; the
Keelung River and its tributaries cut through the
city, converging with the Tamsui River at Guandu,
and empty into the Taiwan Strait.
Cumulative Annual Rainfall：app. 2,910mm
Annual Rain Days：app. 179 days
Mean Annual Temperature：app. 23.2°C
Average Annual Relative Humidity：app. 75%
Yangmingshan National Park, Guandu Nature Park,
Neishuangxi Nature Center, National Taiwan
Science Education Center, Taipei Water Park, NTU
Experimental Farm, Feitsui Reservoir Environmental
Learning Center, Taipei Zoo, Neihu Refuse
Incineration Plant, Zhishan Cultural and Ecological
Garden
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4. GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE AND REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS
Climate change has become one of the most concerned
environmental
issues.
According
to
the
projections
of
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), by the end
of the 21st century, the global average temperature will increase
between 1.8-4℃, and the sea level will raise between 18-59cm.
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Taipei City
Council passed the “Energy Saving and Carbon Reduction
Plan” on April 13th, 2010. DEP, the administration is
responsible for (1) reviewing Taipei City’s GHG reduction
programs/projects; (2) holding international conferences with a
special focus on a low-carbon city or sustainable development;
(3) hosting big events to promote public awareness of climate
change; (4) Form community-based consultant groups to assist
local communities with saving-energy projects.
For more information, please visit Taipei Low Carbon City
and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Information Website
http://www.dep-greengas.taipei.gov.tw/
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5. (AIR QUALITY AND POLLUTANT CONTROL)
1. The major sources of air pollution in Taipei City are traffic
pollutants and stationary combustion sources. The main
pollutants are particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen
oxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. In recent years, the air
quality of Taipei city has been mostly within the PSI
standards.
2. Pollutant
Standards
Index
(PSI)
and
Health
Impact
Assessment
Index
Values
AQI
Category
0~50
51~100
Good Moderate
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101~199
200~299
Above 300
Unhealthy
Very
Unhealthy
Hazardous
6.NOISE CONTROL MANAGEMENT
Various methods of noise control management are
implemented to reach the most effective outcomes:
1. Non-mobilized noise sources control
i.
To inspect and raise public awareness of factory
plants,
entertainment
and
business
premises,
construction projects, public address facilities, and
construction
projects
or
facilities
officially
announced by Taipei City.
ii.
To delimit and officially announce new noise control
zone classes if needed.
2. Mobilized noise sources control
i.
To handle complainant conducts on traffic noises
ii.
To implement the transportation noise improvement
or amelioration plan.
iii.
The provision of assistance for the installation of
noise abatement facilities at residences.
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7. DETECTION OF RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED BUILDINGS
In
addition
to
residents’
health
concerns,
issues
surrounding radioactively contaminated buildings include
reconstruction, relocation, and compensation. From 1996
January, DEP has been in charge of the initial assessment on
radioactively contaminated buildings in Taipei City. In addition,
“Taipei City radioactively contaminated buildings autonomy
regulations” were promulgated on August 1st, 2005 to protect
citizens’ rights and health conditions.
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8. NEW RIVER, NEW WATERFRONT, NEW CITY
1. Revived Tamsui River
With the vision of “New River, New Waterfront, and
New City”, Taipei City Government has the goal of making
the city one of the most liveable in the world. The Revived
Tamsui River Committee was established in 2007 to execute
the following strategic action plans: (1) construction of
sewage systems and interception stations; (2) improvement
plans for Tamsui River landscapes and environment; (3)
community renaissance programs for surrounding areas; (4)
marketing strategies for recreational activities in Tamsui
River; (5) education on cultural heritage and ecological
systems alongside the river bank.
The ultimate goal is to revive the beautiful city from the
past.
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New River –
Preserving and restoring
the biodiversity and
ecological services of
Tamsui River.
1.
To establish the prompt pollution
reporting system
2.
To reinforce pollution source
investigation
3.
To build the sewer drainage systems
4.
To execute intercepting sewer
construction
5.
To build onsite treatment facilities
6.
A more thriving,enterprising and
New Waterfront –
active city
7.
Vibrant, safer and more tolerant
Reconnecting the city to
neighborhood
the river’s edge
8.
Bridge construction with Tamsui River
Image
9.
Restoration of river ecosystem
10.Analysis on ecological surveys of
Tamsui River
New City –
Raising public awareness,
enhancing knowledge and
empowering civil society
to protect our river
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11. To promote the recreational activities
12. To Organize water sport competitions
13. To advertise the success of integrated
management of Taimsui River.
14. To empower the communities and
schools to protect the river
15. To develop cultural and ecological
educational programs
16. To strengthen the public engagement.
17. 結合社區學校，招募護川志工
18. 河川資產之教育與宣導
19. 鼓勵民眾參與及宣導
2. Soil and Groundwater Pollution Monitoring and Auditing
The main work is to establish the database to monitor
the quality of soil and groundwater of Taipei City. For the
potential polluted sites, extra surveys and management
plans will be done to ensure the sustainable use of soil and
groundwater, enhance the living environment, and protect
public health.
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3. Drinking Water Management
To ensure the quality of drinking water sources,
improve public drinking water quality and maintain public
health, the sampling inspection on drinking water system
has been done by DEP regularly. In addition, public or private
premises that provide stationary continuous water supply
equipment to the public for drinking are required to perform
sampling and testing of water quality conditions to ensure
the quality of drinking water shall meet drinking water
quality standards.
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9. DENGNE FEVER PREVENTION
Dengue
education-
Fever
Prevention
capacity-building
depends
to
ensure
on
long-term
an
adequate
response to the local situation, and environment cleanupeliminating the mosquitoes’ habitats. Thus, an integrated
approach,
through
advocacy,
social
mobilization,
and
chemical interventions is used to ensure that public health
bodies and communities are strengthened.
Once the government received the dengue fever case,
DEP
will
spray
with organophosphate or
pyrethroid insecticides in the house and surrounding areas
twice a week.
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10. TOXIC CHEMICAL SUBSTANCE MANAGEMENT
There are 302 toxic chemical substances are listed as
control items in Taiwan. To prevent these toxic substances to be
imported to Taiwan illegally and threaten the public’s health,
the government uses top-down approach to manage the flow
of these substances. In addition, the government also
promulgated the regulation on pest control operators and
environmental medication vendors management, and do the
regular inspections on environmental agent labels to ensure
that the public’s health has been protected.
1. Toxic Chemical Substance Control
i.
Audition and management on toxic chemical
substances flow.
ii.
Drill and prevention practice on toxic chemical
substances disasters.
2. Environmental Agents Permits
i.
Audition and management on pest control
operators and environmental agent vendors.
ii.
Audition and Management on environmental
agent labels.
3. Educational Courses on Environmental Agents Safety
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11. CRADLE TO CRADLE SOCIETY
Taipei City is famous for its effort in garbage recycling,
which has become such a good international precedent that
other countries have sent teams to study the recycling system.
In an effort to attain the goal of "zero landfill, total recycling,"
DEP aims to foster implementation of integrated solid waste
management systems that are cost-effective and protect
human health and the environment.
Through media campaigns, school fairs, and local activities,
DEP assists communities, institutions, and schools to establish
more effective recycling programs. According to 2011-2013
statistics, the total amount is approximately 1.7 million tons,
with 82,430 tons of recyclable objects collected from public
collectors, and about 300,000 tons of kitchen waste (Fertilizing
Kitchen Waste, Pig-Feed Kitchen Waste). More achievements
are listed as below:
i.
Establishment of second-hand book center— 7,297
books were exchanged and 48,510 batteries were
recycled in 2013.
ii.
Performance evaluation on recycle projects among
local communities in Taipei City.
iii.
Designated peel bags for pedestrian-used trash bins
and recyclable objects sorted program.
iv.
Public Restroom Management- Since 2001, DEP has
co-worked with public and private sectors, take the
responsibility to provide and maintain the clean and
safe environment for its citizens.
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12. POLICY ON PER-BAG TRASH COLLECTION FEE
Since July 1, 2000, the Taipei City Government has utilized
the "Per Bag Trash Collection Fee”. Citizens must use
“designated refuse bag” to hold normal waste. Regulated
items must be categorized to reduce normal waste; meanwhile,
the separated recyclable waste and kitchen waste can be freely
given to waste disposal teams to directly help citizens
understand the meaning for fees to achieve the goal of
reducing waste and increasing recycling. The policy has
generally gained public consensus, and resulted in significant
increases in the quantities of recycled materials.
There are 7 different sizes (3, 5, 14, 25, 33, 76, and 120 liters)
of bags that citizens can find from most convenient stores. In
particular, the 3 liter and 14 liter bags are re-designed so that
citizens can use them as shopping bags.
The policy is based on the principle of equality- the more
waste accrued the higher the fee, and the less waste will equate
to lower fees. In addition, the amount of waste has been
reduced significantly since the execution. The household waste
reduction rate is up to 66.18%, and the recycling rate is 45.81%.
The household average waste collection fee is decreased from
NTD $144 to NTD $33.1.
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13. ADVANCED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (1/3)
Muzha Refuse Incineration Plant
Muzha Refuse Incineration Plant started operation on
March 28, 1995. It is the second largest modern refuse
incineration plant in the country. We use high class incineration
technology, to effectively control secondary pollution and
recycling resources. In particular, SCR technology is used to
decompose dioxin to non-toxic gas to meet the environmental
requirement.
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13. ADVANCED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (2/3)
Beitou Refuse Incineration Plant
In order to achieve reduction, stabilization, sanitation and
resource-recycle for waste treatment, and to save landfill space,
to control pollutants release, and solve odor problem, the
Beitou refuse incineration plant has the latest facilities and
technologies.
Beitou refuse incineration plant has the recreational center
for local residents, the observatory, and the revolving
restaurant. The observatory operates in Jan, 2000, and is the
first revolving restaurant built in the chimney of the
incineration plant in the world. With 120 meters height, the
observatory has become one of the most popular spot in Taipei
City. Besides, there is about 400,000 people use the recreational
center every year since it was opened in 2004.
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13. ADVANCED SOLID WASTE MANAGEMENT (3/3)
Neihu Refuse Incineration Plant
Taipei was announced as world design capital 2016. With
the theme of “Adaptive Taipei – Design in Motion”, DEP has
dedicated itself in creating a cradle to cradle society.
Administration of Neihu Refuse Incarnation proposed an
experimental project on transforming recycled kitchen waste to
bioethanol. By far, the feasibility assessment of the lab was
done, and a small scale platform was built in the plant. The lab
will collect more data to analyze how to utilize the usage of
electricity and heat energy. The results can provide insights for
future plant planning.
Kitchen Waste
Distillation
Smashing Pretreatment
Hydrolytic Tank Centrifugal Filter
Concentrators
Fermentation
Purfication
Absolute alcohol
Gelatinized Enzyme
Amylase
Seed Strain Yeasting
Tank
In addition, Neihu Refuse Incineration Plant was
certificate of Environmental Education Facility in September
2013. It is the first public-operated plant wins the honor. The
administration designs 2 environmental courses, “the story of
waste management”, as well as “Neihu Refuse Incineration
Plant- Insight story of brown land restoration”, and people can
learn the plant facilities via the courses. In addition, the
administration
also
plans
two
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excursions,
bioethanol
experimental
lab,
reuse
of
cement-stabilized
municipal
incinerator fly ash in concrete block experimental field and
environmental paths. By doing so, students have more insight
understandings on the practice of waste recycling and reuse,
and the blueprint of cradle to cradle Taipei City.
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14. ENVIRONMENTAL RESTORATION PARK
1. The area of Sanzhuku Sanitary Landfill Site is 30 ha, 9 ha
is used for storing big recycle objects and disaster wastes.
The other 21 ha was restored and became a Eco Park, The
park was opened to the public on October 27th, 2013.
2. After restoration engineering project, Fudekun Sanitary
Landfill Site was successfully transformed to Crawford
Hang environmental restoration Park, which is 37 ha. It
has grass skiing field, cycle path, remote control aircraft
ground, etc., providing great recreational space for its
citizens.
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15. CONVENIENT AND FLEXIBLE GARBAGE COLLECTION SERVICES
1. Policy on Per-Bag Trash Collection Fee
DEP executed the“3-in-1 Keep Trash Off the Ground"
program in 1997.
Before implementation, several
community meetings were held to decide the transport
routes and timetable. The “Per-Bag Trash Collection Fee”
policy was introduced in 2000. By establishing the
convenient garbage removal mechanism, DEP offers
large scale garbage collection services and 3-in-1
collection points for
garbage, kitchen waste and
recyclable objects. After the implementation, the amount
of garbage has been reduced significantly-from 1 million
tons in 1999 decreased to 360,000 tons in 2013.
2. Collection and Transportation Service
DEP establishes 50 time-limited points to collect general
wastes and recyclable objects (includes kitchen wastes).
The sites are opened from 6am to 11pm, 7 days per week.
For
more
information,
please
visit:
http://www.dep.taipei.gov.tw/MP_110001.html.
3. Large Garbage Collection and National Cleaning Week
Citizens can make a phone call to their local cleaning
squad and arrange specific time at assigned location for
large garbage collection.
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16.CLEAN URBAN ENVIRONMENT
1. To remove sediment, debris, and other pollutants and
maintain
clean
urban
environment,
DEP’s
street
sweeping program requires all the main roads need to be
cleaned twice a day; and for busy roads, the work needs
to be done before dawn. The cleaning squad use
manpower to clean sidewalks and alleys, street sweepers
and sewer flushing vehicles are used to clean streets
(above 4 meters), highways, and roads around landfills
and incineration plants.
2. DEP is responsible for cleaning roads (above 4 meters)
and alleys’ lateral canals, connecting pipes, box culverts,
culvert pipes, and open drains in Taipei.
3. There are more than 3,000 pedestrian-used rubbish bins
in Taipei City. Cleaning squad will maintain and clean
those bins regularly.
4. DEP is responsible for illegal posted ads cleaning and
reporting. For ads with phone numbers, DEP requests the
telecom company to have phone disconnected.
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17. REGENERATION FURNITURE EXHIBITION AREA
Taipei City executed the regeneration furniture project in 2002.
With the skills of master workers, the old furniture and bicycles
are transformed into sophisticated finished products to serve
as auction items to raise money so as to achieve the maximum
effect of resource recycling. The annual income from this
project has increased from NTD $3 million in 2004 to more than
NTD $10 million in 2013. Currently, there are 3 regeneration
furniture exhibition areas in Taipei.
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18. PROMPT AND COURTEOUS SERVICE
Taipei City Government set up an online report system to
make prompt and courteous services. For anyone who wants to
make complaints or other requests, he or she only needs to dial
1999 and the command center will contact the responsible
department to solve the issue. DEP is in charge of complaint
requests on noise and other pollutants. After receiving the
requests from the command center, the health inspection team
(HIT) will be on the scene to process the requests; meanwhile,
HIT will report the command center the situation so that the
procedure will be given a number and keyed in into the system,
so that the public can be informed the current process.
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Reported Items
Processing
Time
The HIT will
be on the
Noise pollution
scene
and
in
process the
Public/Private
complaint
Space
requests
within
3
hours.
Other
Pollutants (Air,
Smell, Water,
Waste,
Toxic
Substances,
Soil,
Public
Restroom, etc)
The
responsible
units will be
on
scene
and process
the
complaints
within
4
hours.
SOP
After receiving complaint
requests, the command
center will contact HIT to
the site. HIT will explain
the purpose to the site
manager and conduct
the noise measurement
based on the Noise
Control Act. If the result
shows the noise exceed
the
noise
control
standard
value,
the
responsible
person
should be reported and
be notified to make
improvement
with
a
specific period of time.
After receiving complaint
requests, the command
center will contact HIT to
the site. HIT will explain
the purpose to the site
manager and conduct
the measurement based
on
the
relevant
regulations. If the result
shows the pollutants
exceed
the
standard
value, the responsible
person
should
be
reported and be notified
to make improvement
with a specific period of
time.
Responsible
Unit
Health
inspection
team (HIT)
Health
inspection
team
and
local
cleaning
squad
From 2011 to Jan 15th, 2014, DEP has processed 89,662 of
noise complaints, as well as 53,002 of other complaints
from 1999 online report mechanism.
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19. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (EIA)
The Environmental Impact Assessment Act promulgated
in 1994 in order to prevent and mitigate the adverse impact of
development activities to the environment. DEP is responsible
for reviewing all the development activities’ EIA in Taipei City.
1. Development activities interpretation: If people concern
EIA preparation of any development activity in Taipei,
DEP should respond by interpreting the laws, and to
consult central competent authority if necessary.
2. Substantial
Examination:
Assessment
Review
Environmental
Committee
is
Impact
composed
of
experienced experts and scholars with professional
knowledge on EIA.
3. On-Site
Monitoring
and
Auditing:
During
implementation of the development activity and when
using
the
development
development
activity,
the
after
completion
of
the
implementation
of
the
environmental impact statement, environmental impact
assessment report and review conclusion will be tracked
and supervised by the DEP.
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20. EMPOWER THE PUBLIC, CAPACITY BUILDING ON ENVIRONMENTAL
EDUCATION
The Environmental Education Act was passed in May 2010,
and promulgated on June 5th. Taiwan is the 6th country has
Environmental Education Act worldwide. With the aim of
“Establishment of Low-carbon City, Empowerment on Public
Environmental
Awareness”,
Taipei
City
published
the
Environmental Education Action Plan in 2012, with 3 focus
areas- regulation, capacity building, and dissemination and
implementation.
1. Regulation: to make legislations based on Environmental
Education Act and National Environmental Education
Framework.
i.
Establishment
Directions
for
Environmental
Education Fund Management Committee of Taipei
City Government
ii.
Establishment
Directions
for
Environmental
Education Consultation of Taipei City Government
2. Capacity Building:
i.
Environmental
Education
Volunteer
Training
Education
Specialists
Training
Courses.
ii.
Environmental
Courses
iii.
Creative Teaching Workshops
iv.
Teachers’ Green Network Seminars
3. Dissemination and Implementation- popularization on
public’s environmental education
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To advance citizens' understanding of the interdependent
relationship between individuals, society and the environment,
to raise the different stakeholders’ environmental ethics and
responsibility, so as to maintain the ecological balance of the
environment and respect lives, and
cultivate
environmentally aware citizens and environmental studies
communities to achieve sustainable development.
For more information, please visit Taipei City
Environmental Education Website
http://www.dep-tee.taipei.gov.tw/
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