Taiwan’s Environment Ministry will propose a national waste storage plan following a fire at a temporary site in Tainan, officials said. The waste storage plan follows a blaze that erupted on Nov. 21 at the Wushulin temporary waste site in Tainan’s Houbi District. Authorities said the incident exposed structural weaknesses in post-disaster waste handling systems.
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming said the ministry will submit the proposal by the end of February. He described the months ahead as critical for strengthening national preparedness and preventing similar incidents at temporary waste storage facilities.
Meanwhile, the Tainan Fire Bureau continues investigating the fire’s cause. Peng said authorities will impose penalties if investigators confirm negligence by the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau due to improper planning or oversight.
On Monday, the Legislative Yuan’s Social Welfare and Environmental Hygiene Committee summoned Peng to brief lawmakers on national waste management challenges. During the session, he outlined the scale and distribution of exposed garbage sites across Taiwan.
According to ministry data, authorities identified 53 exposed waste sites since late last year. Cleanup teams have eliminated 20 locations, while approximately 608,000 tonnes of exposed waste remained nationwide as of last month.
Officials said Hsinchu County, Tainan, and Nantou together accounted for about 73 percent of all remaining garbage pileups. By contrast, Pingtung County and Chiayi City achieved full compliance with proper waste handling standards.
Peng acknowledged the ministry had aimed to reduce exposed waste to 410,000 tonnes by the end of this year. However, typhoon debris and food waste overwhelmed incinerator capacity, delaying progress toward the target.
Despite setbacks, Peng reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ensure proper treatment of all exposed waste nationwide by the end of next year. He said the waste storage plan will establish uniform standards for large-scale temporary sites.
The ministry plans to regulate stacking height, waste density, and spacing to reduce fire risks. Officials said these measures would improve safety and environmental protection during disaster recovery periods.
In addition, the ministry has studied Japan’s post-disaster waste management model. Officials noted that Japan’s strict controls on pile design and spacing significantly reduce fire hazards.
Environmental experts welcomed the initiative, saying unmanaged waste poses health and safety risks, particularly during typhoon seasons. They urged swift implementation and strong coordination between central and local governments.
Looking ahead, the ministry plans nationwide inspections once new standards take effect. Peng said authorities will prioritize high-risk regions and emphasize transparency to rebuild public trust in waste management systems.
The waste storage plan forms part of Taiwan’s broader effort to strengthen disaster resilience and environmental governance nationwide.
