TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Hualien County Government said Monday it is using mobile cameras to catch illegal dumping and keep streets and empty lots clean.
The county’s Environmental Protection Bureau said the cameras can be moved and set up at different times. It said this helps inspectors catch dumping in quiet areas where there are few people and little evidence, CNA reported.
“Some empty lots and roadsides in the county have become regular dumping sites,” the bureau said. It said the problem hurts the county’s appearance and its image as a tourist destination.
In one recent case, officials set up cameras for nine days on Jieshou 1st Street, where they recorded people throwing plastic bottles, lunch boxes, and household trash from scooters and cars, per Liberty Times. The bureau said the footage clearly showed the dumping and license plates, making it easier to identify violators and issue fines.
Hualien County Magistrate Hsu Chen-wei (徐榛蔚) said the cameras are not only for punishment. She said the main goal is to encourage residents not to litter.
UDN reported that people who dump trash can be fined under the Waste Disposal Act, the bureau said. Fines range from NT$1,200 (US$38) to NT$6,000.
The bureau said it plans to expand the use of mobile cameras in 2026. It will continue checking dirty spots and moving cameras to areas where they are needed most.
