Should Eggshells Go in General Trash or Food Waste? Environmental Bureau Announces New Rules! Avoid 6,000 NTD Fines for Incorrect Disposal

New Taipei City’s kitchen waste collection policy is undergoing a major transformation! In alignment with the central government’s complete ban on using household food waste as pig feed, the New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau has announced that starting in 2026, households will no longer need to distinguish between 'raw kitchen waste' and 'cooked kitchen waste.' Residents simply need to drain excess moisture before depositing food scraps together into the kitchen waste bin collected by scheduled garbage trucks.

However, with the new system rolling out, many residents are uncertain whether 'eggshells,' 'clamshells,' or 'large animal bones' count as kitchen waste or general trash. According to Recycling Encyclopedia, in New Taipei City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Keelung City, Kaohsiung City, Yilan County, Miaoli County, Yunlin County, and Penghu County, 'eggshells can be placed in kitchen waste.' In all other counties and cities, eggshells must be treated as general waste.

Residents are also reminded that failure to properly sort waste may result in fines ranging from 1,200 to 6,000 New Taiwan Dollars under the Waste Disposal Act.

New Kitchen Waste Rules Take Effect in 2026! Are Eggshells and Shrimp Shells Kitchen Waste or Garbage? New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau Provides Clear Answers! Risk 6,000 NTD Fine for Mistakes!

The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau announced on its Facebook page 'New Taipei i Environmental Protection' that, in accordance with central government policy adjustments, household kitchen waste will be completely banned from use as pig feed starting in 2026. To address public confusion over everyday food waste classification, the bureau provided clear guidance on its official Facebook page:

· Eggshells: Classified as kitchen waste. Please ensure they are thoroughly drained of moisture before placing them in the kitchen waste bin collected by garbage trucks.

· Shrimp shells and heads: Classified as kitchen waste (soft-shelled types). Drain moisture and place in the kitchen waste bin; however, lobster shells do not qualify as kitchen waste.

Should Eggshells Go in Kitchen Waste or General Trash? Recycling Rules Across Counties at a Glance

It should be noted that kitchen waste recycling regulations for 'eggshells' vary across Taiwan’s counties and cities. According to data from the 'Recycling Encyclopedia':

· Cities/counties where eggshells can be recycled as kitchen waste: New Taipei City, Taipei City, Taoyuan City, Keelung City, Kaohsiung City, Yilan County, Miaoli County, Yunlin County, Penghu County.

· Cities/counties where eggshells must go in general trash: All other counties and cities not listed above require eggshells to be classified as general waste.

Additionally, Taichung City, Tainan City, and Kaohsiung City currently still maintain the rule of separating 'raw' and 'cooked' kitchen waste (cooked refers to post-cooking food, raw includes fruit peels, fruit residues, etc.). Residents should pay special attention when handling waste across different municipalities.

What Cannot Be Placed in Kitchen Waste in 2026? These Items Must Never Go in Kitchen Waste Bins! Three Common Food Categories Should Be Treated as General Waste

The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau specifically reminds residents that the following three categories of items are strictly prohibited from being placed in kitchen waste bins and must be directly treated as general waste:

· Hard materials: Animal bones, fish bones, pork spare ribs, clamshells, oyster shells (oyster shells).

· Raw meat: Uncooked raw meat, raw internal organs.

· Others: Plastic bags, disposable utensils, and other杂物.

The New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau emphasizes that residents must properly sort their household waste into three categories: 'general waste,' 'recyclable waste,' and 'kitchen waste' before disposal. Failure to comply with classification rules and arbitrary disposal will result in citations under the Waste Disposal Act, with fines ranging from 1,200 to 6,000 New Taiwan Dollars.

For any questions regarding the classification of specific items, residents can visit the 'New Taipei City Recyclable Items Easy Search' website or add its official LINE account for inquiries.

2026 Kitchen Waste Classification and Recycling Guidelines Summary Table

Classification Item Representative Items Recycling & Handling Method Notes / Violation Penalties

Recyclable Kitchen Waste Eggshells, shrimp heads, shrimp shells (excluding lobster shells), general food leftovers Drain moisture and place in garbage truck’s kitchen waste bin Eggshells recyclable in 9 counties including New Taipei, Taipei, Taoyuan, Keelung, and Kaohsiung

General Waste Animal bones, pork spare ribs, fish bones, clam/oyster shells, raw meat, raw organs, lobster shells Place in general waste bag for garbage truck collection Hard and raw meat items must not be placed in kitchen waste bins

Prohibited Items Plastic bags, disposable utensils Dispose via recyclables or general waste Strictly prohibited from kitchen waste bins

Q1: Will New Taipei City residents still need to separate raw and cooked kitchen waste when disposing of it in 2026?

A: No. Starting in 2026, New Taipei City will align with central government policy and cease distinguishing between raw and cooked kitchen waste for households. As long as moisture is properly drained, all kitchen waste can be uniformly placed into the garbage truck’s kitchen waste bin.

Q2: Can clamshells and large bones leftover from cooking soup be casually dumped into the kitchen waste bin?

A: No. Clamshells, oyster shells, animal bones, fish bones, and pork spare ribs all fall under the 'hard materials' category and can damage kitchen waste processing equipment. Please ensure they are placed in general waste.

Source: New Taipei City Environmental Protection Bureau