Taiwan has strived to facilitate conversion of combustible wastes into fuels by following the trends of advanced nations such as those in Europe and Japan. The MOENV has established relevant control systems and standards concerning solid recovered fuels (SRFs), designating both necessary facilities that are to be installed in SRF manufacturing plants and types of end-of-use facilities. Guidance will also be provided to help SRF plants enhance manufacturing techniques and quality. To prevent SRF-generated air pollution emissions, the MOENV preannounced amendments to the component standards for waste fuel as well as emission standards for boilers’ air pollutants in July 2023. These amendments include additional standards for source components, specifications for pollution-control equipment during manufacturing process, and end-of-pipe emission standards. The aim is to safeguard environmental air quality by cutting down pollution, emissions, as well as waste generation.

To promote utilization of combustible waste resources as fuels, the MOENV has formulated the Guidelines and Quality Standards for Solid Recovered Fuel Manufacturing Technology (固體再生燃料製造技術指引與品質規範). The regulations have outlined SRF management systems and standards, mandating SRF manufacturing factories to install necessary equipment, verify users’ needs and waste characteristics beforehand to ensure employment of appropriate equipment, conduct regular sampling and testing of finished products, and sell final products directly to SRF users who meet the specified requirements. And the evaluating authorities are to coordinate evaluation of both the manufacturers and users and conduct onsite inspections so as to ensure SRF quality and proper management of SRF utilization and that the evaluating authorities will be able to follow it accordingly.

After undergoing sorting, crushing, mixing, and other processes, combustible wastes are transformed into SRFs which can substitute coal. This substitution is able to lower emissions as one metric ton of SRF can replace 0.86 metric tons of coal, resulting in reducing 0.77 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions. This approach aligns with Taiwan’s key strategy of achieving “Resource Recycling and Zero Waste" in its transition toward net-zero emissions. From 2019 to 2022, Taiwan’s annual SRF production grew from approximately 50,000 metric tons to 200,000 metric tons, and the number of SRF manufacturers also rose from four to 28. Additionally, SRF usage increased from approximately 60,000 metric tons to 180,000 metric tons annually, and the number of SRF users went from four to 14.

Moreover, to prevent air pollution caused by the use of waste-derived fuels, the MOENV preannounced the amendment of the fuels’ component standards in July 2023. The amendments strive to manage the end of SRF utilization via source fuel standards, mandatory facilities and pollution-control equipment for users, and regulations concerning end-of-use emissions. SRF users are required to specify the type, compositions, and quantity of fuel used in their operation permit of stationary pollution source. Users are to operate in accordance with the permit's specifications once they obtain the permit after being approved, and also adhere to relevant emission standards and regulations under the Air Pollution Control Act (空氣污染防制法). In addition, they are required to regularly report to municipal, county, or city authorities the previous quarter's fuel usage, operational details related to pollution-control equipment, and test results of emitted air pollutants.

The MOENV stated that, for practices turning non-hazardous and combustible waste materials such as waste plastics, paper, and wood into SRFs that meets quality standards, there are currently stringent checks in place for the source, manufacture, quality, type of end-of-use facilities, and pollution-control equipment. SRFs can substitute coals and therefore are able to reduce the environmental impact from coal mining and utilization, ultimately leading to resource circulation, zero waste, and carbon reduction.

Excerpt from Major Environmental Policies, September 2023