i-Trash Looks to Add Some Convenience to Waste Disposal in Taiwan

Taiwan has been pushing both developing its technology and laws to push the country in a more environmentally friendly direction.  This is perfectly encapsulated in a new technology hitting the streets of Taipei.

Taiwan has been building new sources of energy including windmills and solar panels. They have also been cutting down on older forms of energy technology such as nuclear and coal. At the same time the small island nation has been working on ways to reduce waste and make its government and citizens better stewards of the environment, this can be seen in recent efforts to cut down on unnecessary waste one-use plastics.

Now Taiwan is introducing a new measure to cut down on waste and litter. The new method is a machine that will be placed on sidewalks, beginning in Taipei. The newly developed trash-collection device is named the i-Trash, continuing the now trite trend of naming all new technological devices i-something. Aside from this it seems that this measure has some potential to make a difference on the streets of Taiwan.

The system was created by Hao-Yang Environment Science (晧揚環境科技有限公司), a Taiwanese company. The systems consist of two parts. One part is for general trash, the other is for recyclable materials. Individuals will swipe either an EasyCard or iPass, see what I’m saying about the i- thing, next the user will be prompted to input their garbage or recyclables. After this, the user will be charged or refunded based on what they have deposited. To dispose of 500 grams of general waste you will need to pay NT$4, or about US$0.13. Users will get a small refund if they recycle, users will receive NT$1 for recycling  8 aluminum cans or 10 plastic bottles. Neither of these methods will require the government issued garbage bags that are required with throwing away trash in garbage trucks, which those in Taipei need to pay for.

While those of us who live outside of Taipei may not need to pay for these bags, there are other advantages to these machines, should they move outside of the capital. Residents would no longer need to find time to go to the garbage trucks when they make their daily rounds while playing their beautiful melodies. I actually believe this is a more convenient system than in some places, where trash trucks only come once or twice a week. This keeps trash from piling up, which leads to foul smells and sometimes pests. However, this new i-Trash method of disposal will help those who need to work during these times, or have other plans on a certain day.

This alternative to the current system promises to be sightly and smell free. The system sports a refrigeration device and deodorizers to keep unwanted odors at bay. It is also not the worst thing to look at with its sleek modern design.

While I don’t think that this method is going to take over the current system, not anytime soon at least, it does give citizens of Taiwan, though for now only in Taipei, an alternative. It also gives those in Taipei more garbage receptacles on the street, something I think anyone who has visited would agree are lacking. Checkout the video below to see more details and how this machine works or visit the company’s website.

 

Photo credit: www.itrash.com.tw/