Issuing Agency: Yunlin County Environmental Protection Bureau
The kickoff ceremony for the “Yunlin County Environmental Cleanup Week 2026” was held on the 17th at the Tong Tian Temple Plaza in Shuilin Township. County Magistrate Chang Li-shan called on all residents to join the cleaning efforts and help “refresh” the homeland through action. She emphasized that when family members returning home and visitors set foot in Yunlin, they should immediately feel a clean, renewed festive atmosphere that highlights the county’s most beautiful image.
This year’s Environmental Cleanup Week adopts the theme “Yunlin Cleans with Full Effort—Let’s Work Together”, symbolizing the county’s united determination to welcome a brand-new year. During the event, Magistrate Chang presented certificates of appreciation to 62 public and private organizations and enterprises that have adopted and installed cigarette butt disposal bins. Together with Acting Township Chief Chang Tung-kai of Shuilin, Councilor Huang Wen-hsiang, and other distinguished guests, she demonstrated their commitment to promoting the “No Cigarette Butt Left Behind” initiative by disposing of cigarette butts into the bins.
Magistrate Chang urged the public not to discard cigarette butts carelessly and to ensure they are fully extinguished to prevent small sparks from causing fires, resulting in loss of life, property damage, and resource waste. She stressed that environmental cleanliness begins with individuals. Besides tidying up surroundings at home, residents should practice “inspect, tip, clean, scrub” to eliminate stagnant water containers, prevent dengue fever, and collectively create a safe and comfortable living environment that leaves returning residents and visitors with a lasting positive impression of Yunlin.
Magistrate Chang also stated that the county government will coordinate township offices, cleaning teams, and environmental volunteers to intensify cleaning efforts in public areas, roads, mountain regions, and coastal zones to safeguard the county’s environmental quality.
Environmental Protection Bureau Director Chang Chiao-wei noted that under Magistrate Chang’s leadership, the county continues to promote waste sorting and the SRF waste-to-energy policy. The Shuilin and Beigang transfer stations have now been fully cleared, with Kouhu and Gukeng to follow.
He further noted that over the past three years, the county has invested nearly NT$100 million annually in ditch-cleaning operations, completing approximately 1,300 kilometers of drainage cleaning. Cigarette butts were found to be the most common waste in ditches. Therefore, this year’s Cleanup Week places special emphasis on cigarette butt removal and recycling, including establishing a collection system. Violators who discard cigarette butts improperly will be fined NT$1,200 to NT$6,000 in accordance with the Waste Disposal Act.
Acting Township Chief Chang Tung-kai of Shuilin expressed gratitude to the county government and the Environmental Protection Bureau for choosing Shuilin Township as the starting point for the Environmental Cleanup Week. He emphasized that the township office will continue collaborating with the county government to safeguard the local environment and build a clean and happy Shuilin.
According to the Environmental Protection Bureau, over 150 cleaning team members, environmental volunteers, and residents are expected to participate during the Cleanup Week. Efforts will focus on removing cigarette butts from streets, dismantling illegal advertisements, and improving long-term neglected areas. Through concrete actions, Yunlin aims to present a clean and orderly new look during the Lunar New Year holiday.
SDGs 6 — Clean Water and Sanitation: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
SDGs 11 — Sustainable Cities and Communities: Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable