The project completed the following tasks: (1) the environmental impact analysis and regulatory management supporting measures for permitting mixed metal scraps import, (2) reviewing domestic regulations and laws of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes, (3) abroad on-site visit of exported waste disposal facility, and (4) the participation of international activities related to waste management. Details are described in the following section.
1.The environmental impact analysis and regulatory management supporting measures for permitting mixed metal scraps import
(1)In consideration of both the benefits for rare metal industry development and the potential environmental impacts, the environmental impact analysis was conducted on twelve categories of mixed scrap metals proposed for import permission, and the supporting management measures were evaluated, including analysis report of three alternative plans.
(2)The contents of the analysis report includes: (A) the introduction and scope of the report, (B) the regulatory history of the mixed scrap metals, (C) the status of rare metal industry in Taiwan, (D) the feasibility assessment of revoking ban on mixed scrap metals import; and (E) the proposal of legal regulation and supporting management measures.
2.Reviewing domestic regulations and laws of transboundary movement of hazardous wastes
(1)In concert with the draft cyclic resources act, regulations and laws were drafted and proposed, including the draft transboundary movement of hazardous wastes regulation, the draft waste resource categories import ban and management regulations, the draft waste resource categories export ban and management regulations, the draft revision of industrial waste categories for industrial material requirements, and the draft waste export/import permit reviewing and issuing regulation.
(2)The waste export/import management training materials were provided to the environmental professionals training institute, EPA. The industrial waste export/import permit application and procedure instruction handbook was completed. The Basel Convention information website was revised fourteen times.
3.On-site visit to waste disposal facilities abroad
(1)Two separate on-site visit trips to Korea and Singapore were completed. Each trip visited two selected disposal facilities which processed wastes imported from Taiwan, as well as one government environmental agency.
(2)The waste management regulatory framework and regulations of Korea and Singapore were researched and analyzed. Data collected from four on-site visit disposal facilities were synthesized, including the disposal methods, the pollution control installations, and the categories and amounts of waste imported from Taiwan. Suggestions were made regarding the cyclic resource issues in the Asia-pacific region.
4.The participation of international activities related to waste management
(1)Two representatives participated in the ninth meeting of the open-ended working group of the Basel Convention (from September 15 to 19, 2014). The meeting information and discussion with other meeting participants were synthesized and written in report. Asian conference information related to waste management ware also collected.
(2)The waste management regulations of Japan were collected, researched and translated to Chinese. An analysis report of the Japanese waste disposal laws, and the definition of wastes and hazardous wastes in the Basel Convention were completed.
