Where was the unmanned boat marine debris cleanup pilot conducted?

It was conducted at six coastal locations in Yunlin County, Taiwan, including the Liuging North Embankment and Xucuoliao Anchorage.

What was the most common type of debris collected?

Plastic bottles (PET bottles) were the most common, accounting for approximately 60% of the total waste collected.

What is the operational cost of the unmanned boat?

The cost is approximately NT$50,000 per trip, which is considered high and a challenge for the program.

Yunlin County Uses Unmanned Boats to Clean Up Marine Debris: 94 kg Collected in One Month, 60% Are Plastic Bottles

Published Jun 8, 2026 5:18 PM ・ Updated Jun 27, 2026 9:12 PM ・ 5 min read ・ Source: CNA (Central News Agency)

The Yunlin County Environmental Protection Bureau has piloted the use of unmanned boats to clean up marine debris. In nearly one month, 94 kg of marine waste was collected from six key coastal areas, including the Liuging North Embankment. 60% of the waste consisted of plastic bottles. This is Taiwan's first three-dimensional patrol model combining drones and unmanned boats. While effective, the cost per trip is high at NT$50,000.

(Central News Agency, Reporter Jiang Yijing, Yunlin County, 8th) According to the latest announcement from the Ministry of Environment, the Liuging North Embankment in Yunlin County ranks second nationwide among the most debris-accumulating coastal sections. The Yunlin County Environmental Protection Bureau has piloted the use of unmanned boats to clean up floating marine litter. In nearly one month, 94 kg of marine debris was collected, 60% of which were plastic bottles.

According to the Ministry of Environment's latest announcement, the top three most debris-accumulating coastal sections are: 1st place, Haomeiliao, Chiayi County; 2nd place, Liuging North Embankment, Yunlin County; and 3rd place, Baiyu Seaside, Taoyuan City.

The Yunlin County Environmental Protection Bureau stated that due to ocean currents and wind direction, the south bank of the Zhuoshui River estuary, including the Mailiao Liuging North Embankment and Xucuoliao coasts, often accumulates large amounts of garbage. Given limited manpower, the bureau pioneered a three-dimensional patrol model combining drones and unmanned boats. First, a drone surveys the area to locate garbage accumulation points. Then, an unmanned boat is dispatched for precise cleanup. The unmanned boat is equipped with a collection basket that uses water flow to trap the garbage.

From April 15 to May 11 this year, the bureau deployed the unmanned boat 20 times to six key locations identified by the Ministry of Environment as historically the dirtiest coastal sections or areas prone to littering. These locations include the Liuging North Embankment, Xucuoliao Anchorage, Lincuoliao Inspection Station, and Chenglong Radar Station. A total of approximately 94 kg of floating marine waste was collected.

The bureau's analysis of the floating waste showed that waste from "household garbage and recreational activities" was the largest category, accounting for 56% of the total. Among this, plastic bottles were the most numerous. Other items included oyster farming racks, fishing nets, plastic fragments, wooden planks, and glass bottles.

The bureau noted that while the unmanned boat demonstration cleanup was effective, the cost per trip is approximately NT$50,000, which is high. The most cost-effective and efficient method is simply not to litter. The bureau also encourages corporate adoption of coastal areas for harbor cleanup activities to reduce marine garbage. (Editor: Li Hengshan) 1150608

FACT BOX

Source: CNA (Central News Agency)
Category: Taiwan

Yunlin County Uses Unmanned Boats to Clean Up Marine Debris: 94 kg Collected in One Month, 60% Are Plastic Bottles

⚡ Key Points

FACT BOX

Editorial & Verification Standards

FAQ

Cite this article — HOW TO CITE

AI CRAWLER ACTIVITY