J Mater Cycles Waste Manag (2005) 7:1–7 DOI 10.1007/s10163-004-0119-9

© Springer-Verlag 2005

SPECIAL FEATURE: ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Material Cycles and Waste Management is Asia (2)

Chun-Chao Lin · Chun-hsu Lin

What substances or objects should be recycled? The recycling legislative experience in Taiwan

Received: October 1, 2004 / Accepted: October 10, 2004

Abstract The legislative framework of waste management in Taiwan has never been efficient, mainly due to unclear definitions and regulations. In 2002, this system was split into two parts by enacting a new law, the Resource Recycling and Re-use Act (RRRA). However, it then became more complicated and recycling effectiveness was impeded. The causes were mainly the unclear definitions, conflicts about the scope, and issues between the RRRA and the Waste Disposal Act (WDA). This article examines the recycling legislation experience in Taiwan, and proposes two modifications for resolving these problems. The first proposal is merging these two acts into one. The second proposed modification maintains a two-system structure but introduces a new subject, “discards,” into the law. The subject of discards is further categorized as “recyclable resources” or “waste,” which correspond to “recycling operations” and “disposal operations,” respectively. The new structures, interfaces, prerequisites, properties, and comparisons are also explained. Key words Waste · Recyclable resources · Discards · Definition

Introduction
Finding suitable sites for waste landfill or disposal facilities in Taiwan, a small island with almost the highest population density in the world, has always been difficult. In 1991, the national policy for treating municipal solid waste (MSW) was formulated as “incineration first, supplemented by landfill.”1 Following this policy, the central government subsidized almost the full construction cost to