Caotun Township Office in Nantou County has set up used clothing recycling bins to promote the circular reuse of second-hand garments, but recent inspections by the cleaning crew found serious misuse: the bins are not only treated as trash cans for non-clothing items, but some people also dig out donated clothes and take them away. There are currently 56 used clothing recycling points in the township, with the actual number adjusted according to usage.

Key Points

  • There are 56 used clothing recycling points in Caotun Township, with the number adjusted according to usage.
  • Cleaning crew inspections found quilts, shoes, socks, dolls, and other non-recyclable clothing items thrown into the bins.
  • The township office has established a real-time reporting channel and strengthened warning signs and enforcement evidence collection; those who rummage through and take away used clothes may be committing theft under criminal law.

Wu Yahui, an inspector with the Caotun Township cleaning crew, pointed out that during patrols, items such as quilts, shoes, socks, and dolls are commonly found thrown into the recycling bins, none of which are items that should be accepted by used clothing recycling bins. Cleaning crew leader You Jinhong stated that when people dig out already-donated used clothes and pick through them to take away, such behavior is suspected of theft and constitutes a violation of criminal law.

To improve the misuse problem, the Caotun Township Office has not only actively established a real-time reporting channel but also strengthened warning signs and enforcement evidence collection. The cleaning crew also reminds the public that if they find a recycling bin is full, they should hand their clothes to the recycling truck instead of piling them beside the bin, to avoid encouraging more people to dump items indiscriminately and causing environmental mess. They also urge everyone to follow recycling regulations so that used clothes can be properly reused.

Source: [Taiwanese-language News] Trash can? Used clothing recycling bins misused; Caotun Township Office to implement real-time reporting - Local - CTS News · Originally published on 2026-09-30