By RK Shih/Staff
KAOHSIUNG — Following a series of illegal dumping scandals in Meinong’s so-called “Grand Canyon” (美濃大峽谷) area and in Dashu District (大樹區), southern Taiwan’s construction industry is on edge, with many contractors now reluctant to accept leftover soil and debris. In one recent case, a construction site on Mingcheng 1st Road (明誠一路) piled demolition waste nearly two stories high, prompting public complaints and an investigation by the city’s Environmental Protection Bureau (高雄市環保局, EPB).
Inspectors found the storage did not meet regulatory standards and cited the site for violating the Waste Disposal Act (廢棄物清理法), which carries fines of up to NT$3 million. The site supervisor defended the practice, claiming part of the waste will be reused for backfill and that the method complies with building codes.
The Liberty Times reports that records show the site was previously cited in August after scaffolding collapsed, damaging nearby vehicles. Authorities fined the demolition contractor NT$90,000 and ordered work suspended. Residents say the current mound of debris — including exposed rebar and dust emissions — poses safety risks to pedestrians and neighboring homes. Inspectors confirmed the waste did not meet approved storage facility standards and issued a formal violation.
The EPB said the contractor must correct the issue within a specified period or face additional penalties. If dust pollution occurs during demolition, the site could also be fined under the Air Pollution Control Act (空氣污染防制法), with penalties ranging from NT$100,000 to NT$5 million. Officials stressed that construction debris must be stored and handled according to regulations to ensure public safety and environmental protection.
