Taiwan Rejects Truckload of Soil for Contamination, Highlights Strict Rules at New Site

A new temporary site for excavated soil has officially opened in the Lunwei area of the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park, aiming to manage construction surplus soil from central Taiwan. The facility, a joint effort between central and local authorities, began accepting registrations from five central Taiwanese counties on June 1. So far, 14 cases have applied to deposit 200,000 cubic meters of soil.

During its first two days of operation, the site processed 81 truckloads, totaling 1,134 cubic meters of soil and rock. However, one truckload was rejected on the second day due to excessive contamination with trash. Inspectors found the material did not meet regulations, resulting in a penalty point for the applicant. Accumulating three such points or a serious violation could lead to the rejection of future soil applications.

Strict inspection protocols are in place, with large banners at the entrance emphasizing that even a single piece of steel rebar or a piece of trash classifies the material as waste, thus violating soil acceptance rules. Operators are warned that non-compliance will result in rejection. The incident served as a stark reminder to haulers, as all trucks on the following day successfully passed inspection after the initial rejection.

The site, spanning 10 hectares, can accommodate 400,000 cubic meters of soil. Once capacity is reached, it will be utilized for land reclamation within the Changhua Coastal Industrial Park, eliminating the need for sand dredging. Officials, including Changhua County Magistrate Wang Hui-mei and representatives from various investigative and governmental bodies, visited the site to emphasize transparency and the establishment of an integrity platform to ensure a fair process for all stakeholders.

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The prosecutor stated that even a single piece of steel rebar or a piece of trash is considered waste, and according to the law, it does not meet the soil acceptance regulations.