Key Legislative Amendments Proposed to Advance Circular Economy and Net-Zero Goals

The Ministry of Environment (MOENV) has proposed renaming the “Resource Recycling Act” to the “Resource Circulation Promotion Act” and amending the “Waste Disposal Act” to better align with Taiwan’s 2050 net-zero and zero-waste targets. The revised Resource Circulation Promotion Act emphasizes full lifecycle management, green product design, circular procurement, and industrial support. Key initiatives include forming a cross-ministerial resource circulation committee, promoting sustainable product policies, expanding government-led circular procurement, and establishing mechanisms such as financial support and a circular experiment sandbox to foster innovation and overcome land acquisition challenges.

In parallel, amendments to the Waste Disposal Act aim to strengthen enforcement and improve management of emerging waste types like solar panels and wind turbine blades. The revisions seek to enhance reuse regulation through cross-ministerial coordination, deter illegal dumping through digital tracking and stricter penalties, and improve sanitation by reversing the burden of proof in environmental violations. Recycling enterprises will also receive a two-year transition period to adapt to the new regulations, ensuring smoother implementation across industries.

Reference: https://service.moenv.gov.tw/File/Get/moenv-en/en/rFVMEKpMFGYuOB6