To Prevent Rat Infestations, Ministry of Environment: Food Waste Water Should Be Drained into Wastewater System
In response to concerns that food waste is a source of rat infestations, the Ministry of Environment urged households to drain food waste water into the "wastewater system" (e.g., kitchen sinks) instead of outdoor "storm drains." They also emphasized that Taipei City's incineration facilities are sufficient, ensuring proper disposal of food waste.
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- 📰 Published: May 5, 2026 at 17:46
- 🔍 Collected: May 5, 2026 at 18:01 (15 min after Published)
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-Feng, Taipei, 5th) In response to suspicions that food waste is the root cause of rat infestations, the Ministry of Environment today urged households to drain food waste water into the "wastewater system" (such as kitchen sinks) instead of directly into outdoor "storm drains"; it also emphasized that Taipei City's incineration facilities are sufficient and will not leave food waste without disposal channels.
New Taipei City Councilor Lin Ping-You posted on Facebook, alleging that Taipei City only incinerates food waste after accumulating a certain amount, suspecting it to be the root cause of rat infestations. The Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection today stated that household food waste is collected and entirely processed through crushing and dewatering at incineration plants, with no temporary storage, and that the aerial photos were also misleading, twisting facts.
Shen Zhi-Xiu, Deputy Minister of Environment, stated in a media interview today that according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, there have been 2 cases of Hantavirus investigated this year to date, which is the same number of cases as in the same period over the past four years. However, as the two cases were in Taipei City and New Taipei City respectively, he urged residents in the northern region to be particularly vigilant.
Regarding the accusation that food waste is the source of rat infestations, Shen Zhi-Xiu pointed out that for Taipei City, the daily production of food waste is about 200 tons, with about 100 tons being reused, and the remaining half being sent for incineration.
Shen Zhi-Xiu stated that most household food waste is collected by cleaning teams on the same day (Taipei City collects 5 days a week), but if abandonment or management loopholes occur, it will attract rats; however, he also emphasized that Taipei City's current incineration facilities are sufficient and will not leave food waste without disposal channels.
Shen Zhi-Xiu also took this opportunity to call on the public to drain food waste water into the "wastewater system" (such as kitchen sinks) instead of directly into outdoor "storm drains." If it enters storm drains, after contact, it will become a nutritional source for rats, leading to an increase in their numbers.
Shen Zhi-Xiu mentioned that the Ministry of Environment also reminds environmental protection bureaus in various cities and counties to pay attention to food waste management during monthly meetings. This must involve coordinated action with market departments, sewer departments, and environmental protection bureaus to avoid an increase in rat populations due to improper food waste disposal.
Tsai Meng-Yu, Director of the Chemical Substances Management Administration under the Ministry of Environment, added that the Taipei City Government has not provided monitoring data on rat populations; however, observations based on the manufacturing and import quantities of rodenticides show no particularly large changes from last year to the present. (Editor: Lin Shu-Hui) 1150505
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(Central News Agency reporter Chang Hsiung-Feng, Taipei, 5th) In response to suspicions that food waste is the root cause of rat infestations, the Ministry of Environment today urged households to drain food waste water into the "wastewater system" (such as kitchen sinks) instead of directly into outdoor "storm drains"; it also emphasized that Taipei City's incineration facilities are sufficient and will not leave food waste without disposal channels.
New Taipei City Councilor Lin Ping-You posted on Facebook, alleging that Taipei City only incinerates food waste after accumulating a certain amount, suspecting it to be the root cause of rat infestations. The Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection today stated that household food waste is collected and entirely processed through crushing and dewatering at incineration plants, with no temporary storage, and that the aerial photos were also misleading, twisting facts.
Shen Zhi-Xiu, Deputy Minister of Environment, stated in a media interview today that according to data from the Ministry of Health and Welfare, there have been 2 cases of Hantavirus investigated this year to date, which is the same number of cases as in the same period over the past four years. However, as the two cases were in Taipei City and New Taipei City respectively, he urged residents in the northern region to be particularly vigilant.
Regarding the accusation that food waste is the source of rat infestations, Shen Zhi-Xiu pointed out that for Taipei City, the daily production of food waste is about 200 tons, with about 100 tons being reused, and the remaining half being sent for incineration.
Shen Zhi-Xiu stated that most household food waste is collected by cleaning teams on the same day (Taipei City collects 5 days a week), but if abandonment or management loopholes occur, it will attract rats; however, he also emphasized that Taipei City's current incineration facilities are sufficient and will not leave food waste without disposal channels.
Shen Zhi-Xiu also took this opportunity to call on the public to drain food waste water into the "wastewater system" (such as kitchen sinks) instead of directly into outdoor "storm drains." If it enters storm drains, after contact, it will become a nutritional source for rats, leading to an increase in their numbers.
Shen Zhi-Xiu mentioned that the Ministry of Environment also reminds environmental protection bureaus in various cities and counties to pay attention to food waste management during monthly meetings. This must involve coordinated action with market departments, sewer departments, and environmental protection bureaus to avoid an increase in rat populations due to improper food waste disposal.
Tsai Meng-Yu, Director of the Chemical Substances Management Administration under the Ministry of Environment, added that the Taipei City Government has not provided monitoring data on rat populations; however, observations based on the manufacturing and import quantities of rodenticides show no particularly large changes from last year to the present. (Editor: Lin Shu-Hui) 1150505
Stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force for protecting press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.