To encourage residents to reduce food waste at the source and alleviate the burden on garbage collection and downstream processing, the Environmental Protection Bureau of Nantou County Government has launched the "2026 Nantou County Household Food Waste Processor Promotion Subsidy Program," accepting applications from August 5 to October 30, 2026. Residents registered in Nantou County who purchase eligible household food waste processors can receive a subsidy of 49% of the actual purchase price, up to a maximum of NT$5,000 per unit, with one application allowed per household. However, households that received the same subsidy in 2022 are not eligible to apply again.

It should be noted that this subsidy is limited to general households; companies, government agencies, and schools are not eligible. Applications will also be rejected if the invoice includes a company or agency tax ID number.

The Environmental Protection Bureau explains that food waste is high in moisture and prone to spoilage. If left for long periods, it can produce unpleasant odors and attract fruit flies. When mixed directly with general waste, it increases the weight and burden on collection and processing. Household food waste processors use methods such as heating, drying, and grinding to complete processing in approximately 3 to 6 hours, reducing volume by about 80% to 90%. This not only improves the issue of storing food waste at home, but the resulting dry residue can also be used for home gardening. If reuse is not desired, it can be disposed of as general waste according to regulations.

The types of food waste processors included in the subsidy are divided into four categories: biological decomposition type, drying type, hybrid processing type, and grinding type. The biological decomposition type uses microorganisms to break down food waste; the drying type reduces moisture content through heating or drying; the hybrid type integrates multiple functions such as biological decomposition, drying, and stirring to enhance waste reduction; and the grinding type reduces volume and moisture through grinding and dewatering.

However, the Environmental Protection Bureau reminds users that for grinding-type processors, the processed waste must still be properly collected and handed over to sanitation teams for recycling. It must not be directly discharged into drainage systems to avoid pipe blockages or increased burden on wastewater treatment.

Notably, freezing-type food waste processors are not included in this subsidy program. The Bureau explains that freezing equipment only delays spoilage and reduces odors through low temperatures but does not achieve actual waste reduction or resource reuse, thus failing to meet the subsidy criteria.

Applicants must submit a completed application form, a copy of identification, the purchase invoice, product model information, and warranty or user manual documents to the Nantou County Environmental Protection Bureau during the application period. The purchase invoice must be issued on or after August 5, 2026, and must clearly show the product name and model to verify eligibility. Late applications will not be accepted.

The Bureau also reminds applicants to confirm in advance whether the product model and functions meet subsidy eligibility and to properly retain invoices and related documents to avoid affecting their application rights. Users should also operate the device correctly according to the product manual, practice proper food waste sorting and draining, and avoid putting non-food waste items such as plastic bags, metal, glass, or utensils into the machine to ensure normal operation and safety.

Additionally, the Bureau emphasizes that food waste processors are only auxiliary tools for waste reduction. The most fundamental way to reduce food waste is to practice moderate purchasing, cooking, and proper food storage in daily life.

Source: Nantou County Government Environmental Protection Bureau Editor: Wei Fu-Cheng

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  • Source: PR Times
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