TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taoyuan City Government has launched a subsidy program to help large catering businesses purchase food waste processing equipment ahead of a central government ban on using food waste as pig feed, which takes effect next year.
Beginning July 1, eligible businesses can apply for subsidies covering up to 50% of the purchase cost of commercial food waste processing equipment with a design capacity of at least 100 kilograms. The maximum subsidy is NT$200,000 (US$6,300) per applicant, per UDN.
The city said the program is intended to help businesses prepare for higher food waste disposal costs and operational adjustments when the nationwide ban takes effect on Jan. 1, 2027.
The subsidy is available only to catering-related businesses registered in Taoyuan City. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 30, though the program will close earlier if funding is exhausted.
City officials said commercial food waste processing equipment can significantly reduce the volume and weight of waste through crushing, grinding, oil-water separation, dehydration, and biodegradation technologies.
The equipment can also reduce collection frequency and ease the burden on downstream waste treatment facilities. It can help prevent grease from entering drainage systems, reducing the risk of pipe blockages and odors.
Processed food waste can also be converted into organic compost or potting soil, promoting recycling and waste reduction.
The city said household food waste will not be affected by the policy change. Food waste collected by district sanitation teams will continue to be transported to Taoyuan’s biomass energy center, where it is processed using anaerobic digestion technology.
Officials said the facility has sufficient capacity to handle current and future volumes, per the report.
Residents are encouraged to properly sort food waste by draining excess liquid and removing non-food items such as plastic bags, chopsticks, bamboo skewers, and tissues before disposal.
Items that cannot be processed as food waste, including clam shells, large animal bones, coconut shells, durian shells, sugarcane peels, bamboo shoot husks, and corn cobs, should be disposed of with regular garbage.
As Taiwan phases out the use of food waste as pig feed, city officials also urged restaurants and catering businesses to reduce waste at the source through more accurate purchasing and menu planning. Consumers are encouraged to prepare or order only as much food as they can eat to minimize waste throughout the supply chain.
