📢 New Immigrant Bulletin: The "Garbage War" – Easy Yet Difficult!

When we first came to Taiwan, how many of us were once bewildered hearing classical music echoing through the streets, only to find no ice cream truck, but a stream of people rushing out with bags of all sizes? To avoid being "out of tune" with this symphony, here's a 3-step survival guide to save: 1. Sort before you throw! ♻️ Don't stuff everything into one bag; trash in Taiwan is divided into three distinct "households": (*) Recyclables (資源垃圾 /Zīyuán lèsè/): Paper, plastic, glass, metal, batteries, electronics... (*) Food Waste (廚餘 /Chú yú/): Divided into two sub-categories: cooked (leftovers, processed meat) and raw (fruit peels, vegetables, fruits) (*) General Waste (一般垃圾 /Yībān lèsè/): The rest that doesn't fall into the above two categories. 2. Identify the "Yellow Truck - White Truck" 🚛 (*) Yellow Truck: This is the main character that collects general waste. When you hear the divine "Für Elise" by Beethoven, it's time for you to "charge out". (*) White Truck: Usually runs right after the yellow truck on fixed days to collect recyclables. (*) Little Tip: If you miss the white truck, you can give your recyclables for free to the elderly ladies and gentlemen who collect scrap materials in the neighborhood (similar to "đồng nát" in Vietnam). 3. "Forbidden Zones" to avoid losing money 💸 - Bulky items (tables, chairs, beds, cabinets...): Absolutely do not arbitrarily discard them on the street! You must call the environmental agency or the waste disposal company to come and take them away. - Heavy Fines: Don't secretly dispose of trash in the wrong place or litter cigarette butts. The fine can be up to NT$6,000 (over 4 million VND) – not a small amount for your wallet. 💡 Tips for Newcomers: Ask your landlord, building manager, or neighbors about the specific collection times and locations. If there are elderly, sick, or lonely individuals at home, don't hesitate to seek help from volunteers to assist with trash disposal. Taking out the trash is also a great time to stop and get acquainted with your neighbors. Let's work together to build a civilized, green, clean, and beautiful new immigrant community...