Legislature approves stricter penalties for illegal waste dumping

Taipei, June 16 (CNA) The Legislative Yuan on Tuesday passed amendments to the Waste Disposal Act that raise penalties for illegal disposal of industrial waste and impose harsher punishments for dumping in environmentally sensitive areas.

Under provisions introducing electronic-fencing monitoring, relevant authorities can use surveillance systems and other technological tools in areas considered at risk of illegal waste disposal to better track waste flows and prevent environmental pollution.

The revised law also classifies waste generated from end-of-life renewable-energy power generation equipment as recyclable waste and requires operators of such facilities to submit a recycling plan to the central competent authority within a specified deadline once the equipment reaches the end of its operational life or cannot be fully restored after disasters.

The plan must specify whether operators will establish their own recycling system or apply for subsidies, and can be implemented only after receiving official approval.

On penalties, the amendments raise the maximum prison term for the illegal dumping of industrial waste from five years to seven years. The sentence may be increased by up to one-half if the waste is illegally dumped in environmentally sensitive areas designated by the central authority.

The amendments also raise the maximum fine for failing to properly remove general waste from NT$6,000 (US$189.93) to NT$100,000, with repeat fines imposed for failure to make improvements by the deadline.

Meanwhile, fines of NT$60,000 to NT$300,000 are also introduced for violations such as failing to report, improper labeling, obstructing inspections or providing required information.

In illegal dumping cases, the amendments allow authorities to apply for provisional seizure at an earlier stage, once a written penalty decision is served. Company directors and major shareholders will also be held jointly liable.

The amendments give priority to government claims for cleanup and emergency response costs over other debts and allow authorities to collect those costs within 10 years.

After passage of the amendments on Tuesday, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) said the purpose is to strengthen waste management by improving oversight and introducing technology-based enforcement.

This includes the use of electronic-fencing and surveillance systems to strengthen the authorities' ability to track waste flows, the MOENV said.

The ministry said in the future, it will continue to refine related regulations and supporting measures, and work with local governments and industry stakeholders to improve waste management through cooperation and technology-based enforcement.

The amendments to the Waste Disposal Act will take effect after a two-year grace period following promulgation by President Lai Ching-te (賴清德), given the major changes to the waste management system and its operations.