https://news.ltn.com.tw/news/life/breakingnews/3043471
[Reporter Huang Shuli / Yunlin] Yunlin County has long relied on outsourcing for waste disposal. However, when incinerators in other counties undergo maintenance or experience malfunctions, waste management becomes difficult. Currently, more than 60,000 tons of garbage are piled up across the county, with over 20,000 tons in Xiluo alone, causing a public outcry. The Yunlin County government has launched a waste-packing initiative today to mitigate the odor and address the lack of storage space.
At the Xiluo landfill, where over 20,000 tons of garbage are piled up, the resulting foul smell, mosquito infestations, and other environmental hygiene issues have drawn complaints from nearby residents. The Xiluo Township Office and local representatives have received numerous petitions and protests, with some residents even accusing them of inaction.
Wu Qizhen, head of the Environmental Protection Bureau's Waste Management Division, explained that the waste-packing process involves breaking open the bags of landfill waste, sorting it through screening machines, and using magnetic separation to recycle items like iron and glass. The combustible waste is then packed and wrapped, which helps reduce the odor and free up landfill space.
The waste-packing contractor stated that 35 cylindrical packages, each weighing about 1 ton, can be packed per hour, allowing for the processing of 280 tons of waste in an 8-hour workday.
Yunlin County Magistrate Chang Li-shan noted that the garbage problem has been accumulating in Yunlin for years. So far, 7,400 tons have been packed in Douliu, and 20,000 tons are set to be packed in both Huwei and Xiluo. This initiative will temporarily alleviate the overwhelming waste problem and reduce the environmental impact. While the current approach focuses on immediate relief, the county government is also planning long-term solutions to transform waste into valuable resources.
Li Mingzhe, a county councilor representing the Xiluo area, expressed gratitude for the county government's proactive efforts. He hopes that the Xiluo Township Office will take advantage of this opportunity to properly manage the garbage in Xiluo, reducing the pressure caused by excess waste and addressing the odor issue.