Ji'an Landfill Temporary Waste Storage Caused by Annual Maintenance, Hualien County Government Strengthens Disaster Prevention Preparedness

Hualien County Environmental Protection Bureau announced that the exposed waste at Ji'an Township Landfill has been reduced to under 200 metric tons. This temporary storage was caused by annual maintenance at Taiwan Cement from February 17 to March 29, and at incinerators in other counties from March 2 to April 12, leading to a phased suspension of transfer operations.

The accumulation of waste at the Guanghua Village Landfill in Ji'an Township had raised concerns about odor and fire. The Hualien County Environmental Protection Bureau issued a statement today, explaining that upon receiving notification of the transfer suspension, they immediately informed all township and city offices to coordinate temporary waste storage and implement measures such as partitioned stacking, disaster prevention management, environmental cleaning, disinfection, and deodorization to prevent secondary pollution and fire risks.

The Environmental Protection Bureau noted that since March 30, waste transfer to Taiwan Cement's facility has resumed. Subsequently, once incinerators in other counties complete parts replacement and return to normal operation, waste transfer and disposal will be prioritized and accelerated.

Currently, the Ji'an Township Clean-up Team continues to conduct enhanced disinfection, deodorization, 24/7 patrols, and surveillance equipment monitoring. They also plan to secure funding for additional temperature sensors and alarm equipment to improve early warning capabilities and response efficiency.

The Environmental Protection Bureau also urged the public to diligently sort waste, especially high-risk recyclables like batteries, gas canisters, and spray cans, ensuring proper classification before handing them over to the clean-up team or recycling vehicles to reduce fire risks and maintain public safety.

Hualien County Government stated that waste treatment is a fundamental public service, and the county government is actively addressing it. They have also simultaneously requested all township and city offices to strengthen landfill disaster prevention management and secondary pollution prevention. Due to a long-term lack of incineration facilities, Hualien County still relies on assistance from other counties for general waste treatment. In recent years, the county government has continuously promoted diverse disposal mechanisms (including planning for enclosed transfer stations) and source reduction campaigns to help townships and cities alleviate waste accumulation pressure.

According to Article 5 of the "Waste Disposal Act," general waste collection and disposal are carried out by township and city offices, while the Environmental Protection Bureau is responsible for overall policy planning, coordination, and inter-regional disposal allocation. The county government will continue to cooperate closely with other counties and Taiwan Cement to stabilize waste treatment capacity.

The Environmental Protection Bureau emphasized that they will continue to accelerate the sorting and disposal of exposed waste and have secured central government subsidies for landfill leveling, covering, and overall improvement projects in various townships and cities, aiming for "reduction priority, resource circulation, controllable risks, and zero waste" to strengthen Hualien's waste treatment system's safety, transparency, and resilience.