Throughout 2013, the Departments under the Taipei City Government continued to actively engage in pollution control, environmental protection, recycling, wildlife conservation, and multifunctional river management to fashion Taipei into a “City of Sustainability.” Two major projects were completed in 2013. One was the reclamation of Taipei City Shanzhuku Landfill into Shanshuilu Ecological Park, and the other was the completion of the removal of the Garbage Mountain in Neihu, giving Taipei 2 beautiful ecological parks.

9 EnvironmentalProtection andEcology

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Press conference on the new ordinance on karaoke usePress conference on an award ceremony for restaurants with proper air pollution control equipment

Pollution ControlPart1

In a move to conserve its rich natural resources and beautiful natural landscape, Taipei pioneered the nation in launching a series of environmental and ecological conservation measures. On the topics of green economy, energy, sustainable cities, food security and sustainable agriculture, water, oceans and disaster readiness, Taipei actively engaged in exchange activities with other progressive cities to further city diplomacy.

09Environmental Protection andEcology

1. Air Quality in TaipeiThe pollution level of all 5 statutory air

pollutants (including carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide, PM10 and ozone) are now fully compliant with national air quality standards. All districts in Taipei were upgraded to a level-2 ozone pollution control zone in 2013. The concentrations of various pollutants continued to drop, indicative of improving air quality. With just 6 stations cited, the poor-air-quality ratio in Taipei was figured at 0.33% throughout year 2013.

So far, 191 motorcycle exhaust inspection stations were set up to provide convenient exhaust inspection services to motorcyclists. To encourage citizens to report vehicles that emitted excessive amounts of exhaust to authorities and to implement plans to subsidize the purchase of electric motorcycles to retire two-cycle motorcycles, we continued to install and manage free recharge stations for electric motorcycles.

Currently 316 recharge stations with 462 sockets are in operation. On vehicle emission controls, we mainly focused on motorcycle emission checks, roadside inspections, diesel vehicle emission tests, visual inspections of exhaust emissions, and spot checks targeting substandard gases. The government also promoted “low pollution vehicle identification logos,” a voluntary measure that toughens emission standards. We used promotions and inspections to improve vehicle emission pollution.

The Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government continued to conduct the follow-up inspections on stationary pollutant sources, including construction sites, factories and var ious publ ic and pr ivate venues. Campaigns and assistance measures were also in place to encourage restaurateurs to cut back on greasy fumes emissions. In 2013, we hosted a contest for equipment for lowering air pollution from restaurants, its award ceremony

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Ecology Training CampAccurate Fertilization Workshop

and exhibition, and an accompanying press conference. Inspections of dioxin emissions by incinerators and spot checks on recovery facil it ies of gas station nozzles were also enforced to help these establishments comply with air pollution control regulations.

2. A Green, Quiet Living SpaceThe Department of Environmental Protection

proactively addressed residents’ complaints of undesirable noise, conducted environmental and transportation noise monitoring, and policy awareness campaigns. Additionally, the Department strengthened control of stationary noise pollution sources, and promulgated regulations in 2013 that prohibited non-business karaoke in the noise control areas from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am and from 12:00 noon to 2:00 pm on holidays. In 2013, monitoring results from the four noise control areas under the jurisdiction of Taipei complied with the environmental volume criteria.

3. A Homestead Free of Radioactive WasteIn the past , 845 un i ts o f rad ioact ive

contaminated buildings were watch-listed in Taipei. According to statistics from the Atomic Energy Council, 448 radioactive contaminated buildings were identified in Taipei as of 2013. In keeping with “the Taipei Municipal Radioactive Contaminated Building Aftermath Handling and Autonomy Statute,” the Department of

Environmental Protection handled matters related to the resolution of radioactive contaminated buildings, and it continued to provide radioactive detection services to residents concerned about possible radioactive contamination in specific buildings.

4. Safeguarding Water Quality(1) Conserving Water Resources

for Sustainable ManagementTaipei Feitsui Reservoir supplies water

to Taipei City and parts of New Taipei City, including Sanchong, Zhonghe, Yonghe, and Xindian districts; and timely supplies water to Banqiao,Xinzhuang, Tamsui, Xizi, Shenkeng districts as needed. The Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration and the Agriculture Department of the New Taipei City jointly sponsored a two-year “Accurate Fertilization” demonstration plan for tea farmers. It was hoped that the farmers would fertilize at appropriate times and quantities to ensure the sustainable development of water sources. The Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration continued to execute its one-year experiment for the public to use cleaning agents certified with environmentally-safe logos across the community. The experiment revealed a 27.5% reduction in phosphates in the waste water of the community hosting the experiment. The Environmental Protection Administration, Executive Yuan and the Water Resources Agency, Ministry of Economic Affairs, on the

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strength of that experiment, requested other reservoirs to change to use phosphate-free cleaning agents certified with environmentally-safe logos across their communities in order to improve the overall quality of water.

The Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration in 2013 completed its carbon neutrality pledge and declaration and external verification. It used its hydroelectric power plant to produce green energy to propel electric boats, electric cars, and electric motorcycles in the Operation of Green Energy Transportation, reducing carbon emissions by 12 metric tons a year. Its carbon neutrality plan was verified, thus making the Taipei Feitsui Reservoir the first reservoir in the nation to reach carbon neutrality. It set aside 1,295.93 hectares for the Feitsui Reservoir Yel low-margined Box Tur t le and Wi ldl i fe Protected Area, the first wildlife protection area designed for reptiles. Additionally, it built the Environmental Eco-education Center to promote education about sustainable aquatic ecology. It collaborated with elementary schools in the water source area to hold the Little Angel Protection Training Program. Using Citizen Scientists concepts, we advocated for the entire population to conserve water resources so as to reach the goal of sustainable management of reservoirs and water resources.

(2) Water Pollution Control

A. Water Quality at the ReservoirThe Taipei Feitsui Reservoir took samples for

inspection. All through 2013, the water quality was stable and normal. On December 27, the

Environmental Protection Administration declared that the “Xindian River Qingtan water quality protection area is a catchment area above important water intakes.” Patrols will be stepped up in the future. Anyone found to have resumed raising pigs will be penalized according to the law to protect water sources.

To protect against nuclear disasters, the Taipei Feitsui Reservoir Administration set up automatic environmental radiation monitoring stations and a nuclear radiation detection and analysis system that automatically monitor round the clock radiation levels in the reservoir area. To strengthen the rapid radioactive fallouts detection and response mechanisms at the reservoir, each month water samples were taken to examine for radiation type and concentration. The administration collaborated with Taiwan Power Company and the Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, to establish a routine radiation monitoring mechanism.

Taking samples for radioactive tests in a radioactive exercise

A camp on Taipei’s water sources Yellow-margined Box Turtle

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Observing benthos at Shuangxi Training and exercise for river emergency rescues

B. River Water QualityBetween 2007 and 2013, the three-year-

average RPI (river pollution index) of river water quality has steadily improved. In 2013, the RPI of Tamsui River's main stream was 5.26 (an improvement of 31%); Keelung River, 3.50 (an

improvement of 30%); Xindian River, 3.27 (an improvement of 44%); and Jingmei River, 2.64 (an improvement of 27%).

The Department of Environmental Protection continued its inspections of water pollution sources to better assist business and community sewage systems in meeting the criteria specified in the Water Pollution Control Act . Facility evaluations were also conducted; agencies not yet included in the management plan, schools and buildings of 8 floors or more are asked to clean their septic tanks at least once a year. Management and maintenance continued for the constructed wetland by Shuimokeng Stream in the Guandu Nature Park, where natural purification engineering was implemented to improve water quality. Emergency readiness awareness campa igns and d r i l l s we re conducted for possible r iver spil l crises. Awareness campaigns were hosted to support water conservation and pollution minimization; river-cleanings were also held. Citizens were also encouraged to participate in river pollution patrols and water education activities.

5. Vector Control and PreventionTo effectively prevent vectors, "the 2013

Annual Vector Control" and "the administration of outdoor spraying" were formulated. A Taipei City Government Vector Control Task Force was set up to oversee work on vector management and prevention. Each of the 12 districts in Taipei was sprayed once every 2 to 3 months. Verbal admonishments will first be given in problem spots. After an offense is reported, a crackdown

Dividing water samples taken from Feitsui Reservoir

Shuimokeng Stream wetland in the Guandu Nature Park

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ensues if no improvement is in sight. For areas where the Breteau Index for disease carrying (vector) mosquitoes – the primary agents for transmitting dengue fever – was 3 or over 3, the Department of Environmental Protection proceeded with cleaning or spraying if the responsible landowner could not be located within a short period of time. If a dengue fever case was suspected or confirmed, the Department of Health informed the Department of Environmental Protection to carry out emergency spraying. In the case of natural disasters, after the clean up had been completed, water had receded, or rains had stopped, spraying was immediately carried out. News and awareness cl ips were broadcast on the mass media to heighten campaign effectiveness and to consolidate citizen consensus of vector control.

Environmental Preservation and Protection

Part2

The 6th Taipei Golden Energy Saving Award ceremony

Inspecting gardens riddled with mosquitoes, a Dengue Fever carrier

The Department of Environmental Protection stepping up spraying for domestic Dengue Fever

1. Energy Conservation and CO2 Emissions Reduction (1) Greenhouse Gas ReductionIn hono r i ng t he “Ta ipe i C i t y Ene rgy

Conservation Promotion and CO2 Emissions Reduction Initiative,” with “lowering greenhouse gas emissions between 2016 and 2020 down to the 2008 level” as the goal, the Taipei City Government signed the Climate Protection Agreement launched by United Cities and Local Governments. With the greenhouse gas production level of 1990 as a baseline, Taipei City vowed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% before 2050.

In a move to actively promote greenhouse gas reduction, the sixth "Taipei Golden Energy Saving Awards" was held to publicly commend agencies that successfully conserved energy. Award winning units collectively saved 8,050,000 kWh of electricity and 603 kiloliters of diesel fuel. As many as 5,935 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions were eliminated. 2013 marked the 5th anniversary of the “Taipei Million-Dollar Lottery for household energy saving.” In Taipei, individual electricity bills from May to October that were at least 5% lower than those of a year before were eligible to enter for drawing. A new

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program, “Superior Saver Award”, was started for individual customers whose electricity bills were lower than their previous bills for 3 consecutive billing periods. From May to October 2013, the program led the participants to save 236 million kWh of electricity and reduce CO2 emission by 126,000 metric tons. Electricity expenditures were reduced by at least NT$902 million.

Subsidies for energy-saving for communities have been offered since 2011. Each year, the program provides subsidies for 100 communities to improve their electricity usage in their public areas. Each unit received a subsidy of NT$20,000. Through 2013, 298 units collectively have received NT$5,960,000 in subsidies, saving 3.697 million kWh of electricity, NT$12.192 million in electricity bills, and 19,720,000 metric tons of CO2 emission. We were also actively involved with international carbon reduction matters. We introduced the “Programme Clean Development Mechanism” (PCDM). The energy savings from replacing lighting fixtures can be used to apply for carbon credit from the Environmental Protection Administration.

In 2011 the Department of Environmental Protection selected Jiantan Village in Zhongshan District and Mingshan Village in Shilin District as Taipei’s low-carbon demonstration communities, building ecological surroundings, greening, beautifying, green roofing, planting green walls, building rain collection systems, solar energy demonstration systems, and building microcosmic pools. Using assistance from

Taipei and sponsorship from businesses, Jiantan Village won the Verification Opinion Statement of Carbon Neutrality Declaration from the British Standards Institution, and the village represented Taipei in the 2013 LivCom competition, winning a bronze medal. We strive for one low-carbon village in each district, and we will help those villages and districts that excel in carbon reduction to become low-carbon communities.

(2) Light Pollution Management Autonomous Regulations–the First in the Nation

To implement light pollution management to achieve better lighting and prevent inappropriate lighting sources from damaging the ecology and human act ivi t ies, the Depar tment of Environmental Protection drafted the “Light Pollution Management Autonomous Legislation ” (draft), the first of its type in the nation, which was passed by Taipei City Affairs Meetings on March 27, 2012. The draft was forwarded to Taipei City Council on April 3, 2012. As of 2013, it was in its second reading in the council.

(3) Encouraging the Commercial and Industrial Sectors to Conserve Energy

To help commercial and industrial businesses step up efforts to reduce carbon emission, the Department of Economic Development, Taipei City Government actively engaged in free energy conservation evaluation and assistance, rewarded subsidies for energy improvements, and carried out inspections. In 2013, Taipei provided energy conservation evaluations and technical assistance to 30 large businesses. It provided NT$8,200,000 in subsidies to 37 businesses for improvements to their electric equipment, and these businesses themselves spent NT$58,040,000. They achieved effective energy management, improved energy utilization efficiency, and reaped an average of 53% in energy saving. To collaborate with the Bureau of Energy, Ministry of Economic Affairs in enforcing the Energy Administration Act , the department

Press conference on a demonstration community for the Statement of Carbon Neutrality Declaration

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announced 11 types of users for inspections, and it stipulated that air conditioning shall not leak, incandescent light bulbs 25 watts or higher shall not be used, and the ambient temperature of air conditioning places of business shall not be below 26 degree Celsius.

During the peak electricity usage period in the summer of 2013, the Department of Economic Development went to major business districts and streets to promote self-help energy saving measures and air-conditioning temperature inspections. 2,006 businesses received the promotion, and the Department also selected superior energy-saving businesses for recognition. The Department held the Taipei Golden Energy Saving Award for the commercial and industrial sectors, and 23 businesses took part. The Department evaluated their utilization eff iciency, water conservation, resources recycling, greening and beautifying, and we chose winners as examples of energy saving to inspire others.

In 2013, the Depar tment of Economic Development also pioneered the launch of a program to assess the energy management personnel of businesses, and the Department conducted contests for stores for the design of energy saving. The Department strived to introduce energy-saving technologies and designs to stores and non-management energy management personnel to help them improve their effectiveness in energy saving. The Department also launched an energy

conservation certification project for the city’s commercial buildings to encourage business owners to pay attention to energy saving and help them to establish appropriate energy consumption levels. In 2013, 15 commercial buildings passed reviews and were awarded the energy conservation labels in recognition of their efforts.

Furthermore, to encourage Taipei citizens to adopt green consumption habits, each year the Department of Economic Development invited more than 300 outlets of large supermarkets and big retailers of electric and electronics shops to jointly promote green products. The initiative assisted them in conducting sales promotions in June and July for energy-saving electric and electronic devices. The promotion advocates for consumers to choose products bearing energy-saving logos and energy efficiency labels showing 1 or 2 for their high energy efficiency to help them save energy in their everyday living.

On-site assessment and evaluation of energy saving designs at stores in Taipei

The Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Wu demonstrating the use of reusable garbage bags

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Table 1 Showing Energy Conservation Effectiveness inTaipei's Commercial and Industrial Communities in 2013

Campaign Amount of power saved (10 kWh)

CO2 Reduction(metric tons)

CO2Total carbon dioxide

emissions absorptioncapacity by the number of

Daan Forest ParksTotal 13,304 72,231 195

Evaluation and assistance for energy conservation in the Commercial and Industrial Sectors

1,169 6,366 17

Promoting energy-saving products 7,558 40,240 108

Energy saving promotion campaign for business places in commercial and industrial sectors

2,759 14,678 40

Energy conservation competitions for high energy consumption users 1,312 8,179 22

(4) Promoting Installation and Application of Renewable Energies

To actively promote renewable energy instal lat ions in Taipei, the Department of Economic Development in 2013 implemented a project to evaluate and reward organizations performing well in using photovoltaic panels systems and held 2 information sessions about renewable energy technologies and applications. It held a demonstration at the Beitou Branch of the Taipei Public Library to help people put theory and practice together. By the end of 2013, photovoltaic panels systems totaling 2,900 kilowatts have gone into operation producing 2,650,000 kWh and reducing 1,408 metric tons of CO2.

(5) Water Conservation Measures

A. Water Supply Network ImprovementsIn 2013, the Taipei Water Depar tment

inspected 2,136 leaks and replaced 167.5 kilometers of pipes. Compared to the beginning of 2007, water leakage was reduced by about

The Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner attentively scrubbing a urinal

The Department of Environmental Protection Deputy Commissioner accepted an award on behalf of the Taipei City Government

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89,700,000 metric tons, equivalent to the total CO2 offset of 24 Daan Forest Parks.

B. Implementing Water Conservation MeasuresThe Taipei Water Department continued to

promote water conservation to go with 2013 United Nations International Year of Water Cooperation and other relevant international activities. Within its service area, household water usage per person per day dropped from 263 liters in 2007 to 220 liters in 2013. Water usage per person per day dropped from 352 liters to 334 liters. Both measurements surpassed the original goals.

2. Per-Bag Trash Collection Fee(1) TDEP Certified Trash Bags

On July 1, 2000, Taipei officially launched the “Per-bag Trash Collection Fee Program” and other matching measures. The garbage reduction rate reached 67.18% in 2012; the total recycling ratio reached 56.15%, greatly lowering the volume of garbage disposal and achieving the vision of “Total Recycling & Zero Landfill” of recycling all resources and burying no garbage. Garbage incinerator plants gradually had unused capacity to process the old garbage from Garbage Mountain in Neihu; the cost of processing was thus lowered. We passed on the saving to city citizens. Beginning March 1, 2013, the price of TDEP Certified Trash Bags is lowered from NT$0.45 per liter to NT$0.36, a 20% reduction, or by NT$6 to NT$69 per bag depending on size. This environmental achievement has won acclaim for Taipei, making it a capital of environmental protection in practice.

(2) Reusable Garbage BagsTo convenience citizens and reduce the use

of plastic bags, the Department of Environmental Protection began selling 2 types of retail garbage bags, named “Reusable Garbage Bags”. The price is NT$1 for a 3-liter bag and NT$5 for a 14-liter bag. The bag is first used as a shopping

bag for the purchaser and can be used a second time, as a garbage bag. In December 2013 the bags went on sale on a trial basis at 233 outlets of companies like Huikang Department Store, Songqing, Taiwan Sugar, Sanshang, Quanlian, and Hi-Life International.

3. A Citywide Movement for a Clean Home

(1) A New Outlook for Our CommunityTo educate the publ ic to ref ra in f rom

disposing of their bags of trash, cigarette butts, and betel nut juice at will, or allowing their pets to relieve their bowels at random on the streets, or posting illegal handbills, the Department of Environmental Protection set up patrol boxes in places surrounding the problem spots to regularly monitor the level of littering and to reinforce crackdowns. The Department also set up 45 mobile video cameras to heighten crackdowns.

(2) Upgrading the Quality of Public Toilets in Taipei

In order to provide Taipei citizens with a quality and pleasant restroom space, since 2011 the Department of Environmental Protection has formulated a ser ies of improvement measures for various public toilets on its watch-list. In addition, the Taipei City Government regularly holds “workshops for toilet cleaners of school-like facilities” to encourage all public toilet management units to jointly improve the quality of public toilets and the maintenance of their cleanliness. Every year, "Seminars for On-campus Cleaning Crews" and the "Taipei Municipal Watch-listed Public Toilets Evaluation Implementation Project" are conducted regularly to encourage members of the public, consumers and exper ts from outside the Taipei City Government to participate in restroom ratings; they also support public toilet management units in conducting effective greening, enhancing comfort and installing user-friendly facilities.

In 2013, we held 2 "Campus Cleaning and Learning Events" each at Taipei Nanmen and

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Chengde Junior High Schools. The event featured hands-on training to teach public toilet management and cleaning personnel proper cleaning rituals and appropriate use of cleaning tools and detergents. In a contest of all 22 counties and cities in the nation, Taipei won a superior award, the highest possible, in division one.

(3) Greenification of Government-Owned Disused Lands

The Department of Economic Development conducted the greenification and restoration of Taipei's public spaces. The focus was on landscaping those publicly-owned lands in disuse: applications from borough offices were accepted. In 2013, greening was administered on 34 sites.

4. Leveling the Garbage Mountain in NeihuThe Mountain is located in Neihu District’s

Hujou Borough. It was inaugurated in 1970 and

shut down in 1985. Garbage covered an area of 15.05 hectares. Of those, 5 hectares were located near Keelung River. To keep the river from contamination, a shutdown improvement project was implemented after it was sealed off. The mountain has weathered many typhoons, and there are no signs of sliding or large collapses on the edges.

Though the garbage mountain is rather secure, it has blocked a portion of the course of the Keelung River (with about 45 meters of encroachment upon the river’s course). To prevent flooding, protect the environment, and address demands of the residents, plans were made to remove the garbage mountain blocking the river’s passage and to comply with the Water Act . The portion on the river’s course was cleared to a relative height of 4.5 meters. After sieving, gravel was backfilled to a relative height of 6.5 meters. Of the portion outside the river’s course, 900,000 cubic meters were kept and fashioned into artificial landscaping of mounds and hills, and the remainder was leveled to the

A panoramic photo of the site after the removal of the Garbage Mountain in Neihu

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height of the dike. A total of 2,115,000 cubic meters was removed.

The removal was carried out by sieving the garbage into “combustibles,” “recyclables,” and “gravel” for separate processing. The embankment was built into an “ecological dike,” excavated and sifted in 2 stages. In stage one, 300,000 cubic meters of garbage were excavated by March 19, 2010. In stage two of the project, the removal of 1,824,000 cubic meters of garbage was completed by the end of 2013.

5. Environmental Education (1) The Environmental Education

Act and Environmental Education Venues

According to the “Environmental Education Act ,” employees, teachers and students working for government agencies, public business organizations, schools up to high school level, and legal persons whose government-donated funding accounts for over 50%, should set up an environmental education program by January 31, and enroll in environmental education courses for 4 hours or more by December 31 of each year to implement education campaigns. In honoring the environmental education program, the DOEP conducted courses accordingly for its employees to participate in environmental protection act iv i t ies. 40 seminars on environmental education were held between June and October 2013. Taipei leads the nation in available sites for environmental education. Taipei’s certified sites include the Taipei Guandu Nature Park, Taipei Zhishan Cultural and Ecological Garden, Taipei Water Park, Taipei Zoo, the Farming Arts Branch of the National Taiwan University Farm, National Taiwan Science Education Center, Yangmingshan National Park, Feitsui Reservoir Environmental Education Center, Neishuangxi Nature Center, and Neihu Refuse Incineration Plant, Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government. Each of these 10

sites offers a rich environmental education curriculum and ecological and cultural space and equipment. They are ideal for whole-family recreational activities.

(2) Community Education–Environmental Protection Volunteer Crew

The Department of Environmental Protection established the Taipei City Environmental Protection Volunteer Crew and held environmental education training sessions for them to bring up seed workers in environmental education. The crew, with 16,010 members, is composed of 198 and 13 detachments of student and non-student volunteers, respectively.

(3) Campus EducationThe Department of Education is in the process

of conducting activities for Environmental Education Counseling Corps to promote Tamsui River Revitalization Campaigns, establish low-carbon campuses, and promote sustainable ecological development. In collaboration with the Department of Public Transportation, we offered River Cruise activities for people to experience the aquatic environment of the Tamsui River. 6,966 people participated. Campus water preservation education activities were attended by 12,183 people. We selected 32 seed teachers on energy education; they researched

School education: a colorful forest community

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and developed curricula for each grade, and they established a website of reference sites for energy education. We collaborated with the Delta Electronics Foundation to send expert volunteers into school classrooms to promote low-carbon classrooms. We planned campus-based sustainable energy and environment courses and autonomous management of electricity usage at schools. We encouraged schools to engage in comprehensive water usage and bright classrooms improvement plans.

(4) Major Measures and AchievementsThe Neihu Incinerator of the Department

of Environmental Protection is the first case of using deserted and idle commercial or industrial land to build such an incinerator. It is also an important landmark for processing garbage on the principle of “primarily by incineration and secondarily by burying.” On September 13, 2013, the incinerator received certification as the first public incinerator offering environmental education facilities and venues, which include courses like “The Story of Garbage Processing” and “Getting to Know How Deserted and Idle Lands Were Revitalized and Used for Building the Neihu Incinerator”. The courses help students to understand the basic principles and flows of garbage processing in Taiwan, garbage incineration, thermal energy recycling, and recycling dirty water for reuse. Course

participants may also visit 3 experimental laboratories for resource recycling and reuse: “Total Recycling Program for Taipei City-Pilot study of bioethanol production and its reuse from recycling kitchen waste”, “Environmental Protection Footpaths Built with Concrete Blocks Made with Stabilizing Incineration Ashes”, and “Model Organic Farm with Organic Waste for Compost turned into Soil Ameliorant.”. Through these visits, they experienced “Resource Recycling and Reuse” and “Household Kitchen Waste Recycling and Reuse”. In 12 sessions, 637 people from schools and organizations have attended the course since September 2013.

The Neishuangxi Nature Center, about 7.2 hectares for environmental education facilities located in the Shilin District of Taipei, is the only forest-style environmental education center in suburban Taipei. The center focuses particular attention on forest ecology to show its rich animal, plant, geology, and water resources. The Geotechnical Engineering Office of the Public Works Department, Taipei City Government offered environmental education courses based on the theme of “The Multifunctional Services of the Forest”. In 2013, there were 43 sessions, which 1,360 people attended. The center also features a “Health Checkup Clinic for Forests”. In 2013, more than 200 children and adults were invited to attend the “A day in the life of an examiner of forest health” workshops.

A forest in your palm Special project: Health clinic for the forest

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1. Household Kitchen Waste RecyclingTaipei categorizes kitchen waste into 2

different kinds: “organic waste for compost” and “organic waste for pig feed.” The waste is sold in public auction to eligible pig farmers for reuse, who bought 5,656.21 metric tons in 2013 for NT$7,980,468. Organic Waste for Compost is stored temporarily in the Kitchen Waste Temporary Deposit Areas located inside the 3 incinerators in Taipei in order to drain off excess water; after self-initiated compost processing, turning, and initial fermenting, the waste is turned into semi-finished compost. The semi-finished products are then extracted to commissioned private compost plants and voluntary compost-makers for reuse. Through December 2013, a total of 61,815.86 metric tons of organic waste for compost was collected.

The Neihu Refuse Inc inerat ion P lant , Department of Environmental Protection, Taipei City Government participated in “The World Design Capital” project. It implemented the “Total Recycling Program for Taipei City - Pilot study of bioethanol production and its reuse from recycling kitchen waste” operations and established a pilot-scale trial platform on which organic waste for compost has been successfully

converted into bioethanol. It will continue to trial run the project in small volumes.

The Muzha Incinerator has been converting "semi finished organic waste for compost" into a soil ameliorant. By the end of December 2013, 2,264.18 metric tons of ameliorant had been offered to as many as 10,483 people from different agencies (the general public, organizat ions and schools) for use. The ameliorant has proven effective.

Also, to creatively process the organic waste for compost, an “experimental preprocessing technologies facility” was set up at the Beitou Incinerator. A high-temperature, high-pressure steaming method was used to manufacture farm-ready soil ameliorant and organic liquid nutrients. The method is a creative and effective way to utilize organic waste for compost.

2. Incinerator Ash Recycled and ReusedIn the past, fly ash piles which gathered at

incinerators were processed first with a chemical stabilizing process after which fly ash piles were tested and qualified through the Toxic Characteristic Leaching Procedure (TCLP). Then they were buried at a separate, dedicated burial area at the Shanzhuku Sanitary Landfill. To promote the reuse of incinerator bottom fly ash, the Muzha Incinerator reused, in 2010, 2011, and 2012, respectively, 3,300, 6,400, and 10,000 metric tons of prewashed fly ash as a substitute ingredient for making cement. From 2011 to 2013, the Beitou and Neihu Incinerators did the same using 3,302 metric tons of prewashed fly ash. To continue to promote and diversify fly ash reuse, the Neihu Incinerator won approval for a plan for the Neihu and Beitou Incinerators to each reuse 150 metric tons of stabilized fly ash. They are conducting laboratory experiments on the products that they have made to ensure that these concrete products pose no environmental risks. The Beitou Incinerator won approval in 2013 to plan to use up to 530 metric tons of prewashed fly ash for making steel. The certification process for the project is under way. The plan uses kilns to break down dioxin Trial use of compost at the Muzha Incinerator

Recycling and ReusePart3

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in a high temperature of 1,300 degrees Celsius. The heavy metals in fly ash will be recycled, and furnace residues can be used as filling materials for construction or road building. Such diverse reuse of fly ash is a fulfillment of the policy, “Total Recycling and Zero Landfill.”

3. Reusing Ditch Mud and Ditch SoilAt present two reuse methods for ditch mud

and soil are in effect. The first is commissioned from Earth and Stone Resource Processing Plant to mix ditch mud and soil with construction admixtures. These earth and stone resources are further graded and shipped to civil engineering and const ruct ion companies for use on construction sites, according to the specification demands of various construction projects. With the second method, the ditch mud and soil is

transformed into renewable soil, which is bagged and offered to the public and government agencies for their environmental and greening projects.

The Department of Environmental Protection manufactures such renewable soil and offered it to the public and agencies for environmental and greening projects to spruce up the cityscape. The project is critically acclaimed, and it was honored with the 4th Government Service Quality Award from the Executive Yuan.

Taipei in 2013 commissioned the Earth and Stone Resource Processing Plant to process 9,370 metric tons of ditch mud and soil. The

amount of renewable soil for reuse reached an impressive total of 13,825 metric tons. These measures have effectively reduced taking up the capacity of the Shanzhuku Sanitary Landfill Site and prolonged the site’s lifespan while saving the city on the cost of opening up new landfills.

4. Resource Recycling and Reusing (1) Refurbished Furniture

Taipei led the country in sett ing up a Refurbished Furniture Display Area, exhibiting and auctioning discarded furniture that has been repaired and refurbished by the DOEP. At present, such furniture is for sale at the Neihu, Wanhua, and Wenshan Refurbished Furniture Display Halls as well as online. Since their opening, wood cabinets, tables and chairs, couches and bikes have become the staple and are very popular with buyers. According to statistics, 15,942 items have been sold in 2012, totaling NT$13,703,910 in sales.

(2) Yen-Hui LibraryTaipei was the first to establish “Yen-Hui

Library” for recycled books, which students and low-income families may present their IDs and pick three or ten books each month f ree of charge. The general publ ic may exchange used batteries for used books. This measure maximizes the utility of used books, Free giveaway of a soil ameliorant that the Department of

Environmental Protection has made

The Yen-Hui Library opening ceremony and inaugural celebration

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reduces paper waste, helps disadvantaged schoolchildren, and teaches people to cherish and love resources. From January to the end of December 2013, 7,297 used books were exchanged and 48,510 batteries were recycled.

(3) Public Interest ActivitiesIn the Taiyuan Tribe, Taitung County, Typhoon

Tembin destroyed the more than 3,000 books in the “Taiyuan House of Books”, a place where more than 100 schoolchildren studied and did their homework. Upon receiving a letter requesting assistance, the Department of Environmental Protection held a “Send Our Love to the Disadvantaged with Recycled Resources” drive and used Yen-Hui Library and refurbished furniture outlets to collect aid supplies. The Department, 62 schools, and electric and electronic device sellers collectively donated more than 400 reference books, more than 600 volumes of encyclopedia or bibliographies of great characters, and 2,827 articles of school supplies, desks, chairs, and small appliances, which were delivered to those schoolchildren in Taitung.

5. Promotion of Green Consumption and Green Product ShoppingTo a id in the popular iza t ion o f green

businesses, the Taipei City Government has actively helped with the establishment of green businesses. So far the number of green businesses has reached 1,587 supplying over NT$4 billion in eco-labeled or carbon-labeled products. Taipei has also encouraged private businesses and groups to buy green. In 2013, 90 organizations were recruited, whose green purchase exceeded NT$2.6 bil l ion. Taipei has also promoted green consumption in communities, posting activity information on information websites for everyday green living. The city has gone into elementary schools to conduct promotion campaigns to convey eco-logos and environmentally-friendly concepts. We promoted green consumption to more than 110,000 people in 2013.

1. Animal Protection(1) The Capturing and

Management of StraysThe Taipei City Animal Protection Office has

assigned animal management responsibilities to districts. It has also set up animal emergency rescue mechanisms. In 2013, it completed 3,305 cases of stray captures and removals and 3,462 cases of stray rescues.

The Taipei City Animal Protection Office received 369 reports of animal abuse, conducted 55 mobile inspections, and cracked down on illegal breeding and sales and found 4 violations. For dogs left out to wander, the first-time offenders were given written admonishment notices while repeat offenders were immediately issued tickets. 25 individuals were fined for animal abandonment.

2. Wildlife SanctuariesTaipei is home to four wildlife sanctuaries:

the Taipei City Waterbird Refuge, Hua-jiang Wild Duck Nature Park, Guandu Nature Park, and Guandu Nature Reserve, with a total area of 398 hectares. In 2013, habitat restoration was conducted in Guandu Nature Park and Hua-jiang Wild Duck Nature Park. At Hua-jiang, sediment was removed from the park on about one hectare. At Guandu, improvements were made to 10 hectares of habitat in the central park area, and intertillage surface was removed on about 10 hectares. At Hua-jiang, road improvements were made on 3,173 square meters, 260 meters of barriers were installed and 420 meters of low-water protective banks were replaced in the crescent-shaped ecological pool. At Guandu, 1 new man-made wetland was installed, 7 tall

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lamps in the parking lot were fitted with solar panels, 212 meters of fence in the park entrance were replaced or fixed, and 160 meters of wooden walkway around the ecological pool were replaced.

From October 26 to October 27, 2013, under the theme of “The Wonderful Journey of Migratory Birds”, Taipei held the “4th Asia Birdwatching Fair and the 15th Taipei International Birdwatching Fair” at Guandu Nature Park. The Birdwatching Association of Malaysia presented Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin with a gift book, Magic Moments of Malaysia , and Taipei reciprocated with ‘the Home of the Taiwan Blue Magpie’ , a doll. A total of 8,244 people from 13 international and 13 domestic preservation groups in 7 countries took part in the fairs. The Taipei City Animal Protection Office, Wild Bird Society of Taipei, and WWF Hong Kong signed a memorandum of wetland cooperation to

strengthen the trilateral exchanges and elevate their capability and vision for preservation management.

The Guandu Nature Park Administration held “The 8th International Outdoor Sculpture Festival” opening ceremony press conference on September 15, 2013. 5 international installation artists from India, Bulgaria, Macedonia, the United States, and Taiwan and 1 domestic hand-made paper artist were invited to jointly exhibit 6 works at Guandu Hospital, Guandu Junior High School, and the Guandu Nature Park. The exhibit ran through to December 30.

3. Ecological Engineering(1) Ecological Engineering to Ensure

River Dredging and ManagementTo protect local resources and reduce

landslides and mudslides, the Department of Environmental Protection continued to conduct surveys on rivers and ditches in catchment areas along Taipei’s hillsides. River and ditch dredging was administered to stabilize bare hill surfaces and restore the covering of ground flora to prevent deposits of mud and sand from being washed off downstream. Landscaping and wild-river dredging management helps to address the needs of the community and provide recreational space and aquatic areas for the public. The sites can be used as venues for ecological education and to improve the quality of life of the public. The Department executed the “river improvement and maintenance engineering project” in 2013, which took into account local ecology and landscape. Stonework engineering was used to create a multifunctional project that ensures a porous biological habitat.

(2) Landslide Management and Disaster Prevention Campaigns

There are 50 debris flows in Taipei, of which 22 are vulnerable to major landslides. Dredging and maintenance were conducted in 2013 at 23 problem spots. Dredging management was completed on Gengliaojiao Brook in Jiuzhuang Village, Nangang District (No. DF037 Taipei). We

Inspecting pet registration

Guandu Nature Park core campus after construction

The three parties posing with the meeting mascot

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held 4 exercises for landslide evacuation and 7 information sessions on mud and rockslide hazard prevention education, and 1 workshop on mud and rockslide rescue operations.

4. Opening of Shanshuilu Ecological Park Shanzhuku Landfill in Taipei was opened in

June 1994 and scheduled to be closed in June 2004. However, the implementation of the Plan to Promote Energy Saving & Carbon Reduction in Taipei City policy and other relevant reuse measures led to greatly-reduced garbage intake into the landfill, hence extending its use. Planning for restoring the landfill into a park started in 2003 and construction started in 2005. The park was inaugurated in October 2013.

Taipei vowed in 2002 to “recycle all resources and bury no garbage by 2010.” Presently, most of the Shanzhuku Landfill has been restored as a park. Only 9 hectares are kept to serve as a temporary storage site for discarded items from disasters where things can be classified and recycled. It is gradually being transformed into an environmental exhibit hall. A contest was held to name the new park. Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin presented a cash award to the winner on October 27, 2013.

ConclusionThe Taipei City Government has always

strived to create a healthy ecosystem that can prosper sustainably. By giving thoughtful focus to both environmental protection and economic development, the City Government promotes a variety of future-proof policies, and works with the private sector toward a promising future.

A scene after the completion of a ditch improvement project

Mud and rockslide hazard prevention education at Beitou District Datun Village

Stepping up disaster prevention promotion on National Anti-Disaster Day

Taipei Mayor Hau Lung-bin presenting awards at the naming ceremony for Shanzhuku

A scene after the completion of a ditch improvement project