Chiayi County expands tech-based enforcement against littering

The Chiayi County Environmental Protection Bureau is expanding its technological enforcement measures to combat littering, cigarette butt disposal, and public urination. The bureau has increased the use of high-resolution surveillance equipment and LED warning displays at environmental hotspots to provide 24-hour monitoring and real-time reminders.

While current fines under the Waste Disposal Act range from 1,200 to 6,000 TWD, a recently passed amendment by the Legislative Yuan will increase the maximum penalty for illegal dumping to 100,000 TWD. The bureau emphasizes that the primary goal of these technological measures is to raise public awareness and prevent violations through a strategy of pre-reminders, mid-process monitoring, and post-event enforcement, rather than focusing solely on issuing fines.

Key monitoring areas include interchanges, expressways, and areas under overpasses, such as the section under County Road 45 near the Xianghe Interchange on Expressway 82. Additionally, the bureau continues its three-year initiative of exchanging cigarette butts for environmental maintenance fees to encourage responsible disposal.