Multi-functional Launch of "Hobaoyu Green Sustainability Park"
The Lucao Garbage Incinerator, once viewed as a "NIMBY facility," has been transformed into the "Hobaoyu Green Sustainability Park," effectively reducing pollution and improving power generation efficiency while integrating ecological parks, health and living centers, and swimming pools into a multi-functional park. The opening carnival was held today, with Premier Cho Jung-tai and others jointly unveiling the park. This announced the official launch of Taiwan's first environmental education park transformed and upgraded from an incinerator, also demonstrating low-emission achievements aligned with the Air Pollution Prevention Plan.
Renovation Performance Improvement and Environmental Enhancement
Premier Cho stated that the renovated incinerator has not only improved efficiency, including an 8.1% increase in incineration capacity and 10.4% increase in power generation efficiency, but also reduced bottom ash and fly ash production, significantly improving environmental pollution issues. The park also features an ecological park, health and living center, and swimming pool, making the facility not just for waste processing but also a multi-functional public recreational space. The Chiayi County case proves that as long as localities have plans and execution capability, the central government will provide full support. He hopes the Lucao Incinerator will become a national model to be promoted to other counties and cities, demonstrating Taiwan's determination and capability in waste management and environmental protection, meeting the local demonstration requirements of the Air Pollution Prevention Plan.
Minister Peng Chi-ming stated that the Lucao Incinerator in Chiayi County can be considered the best incinerator model in Taiwan. The facility is not only clean and odor-free but also integrates a green sustainability park and sports space, and will collaborate with TSMC to develop Carbon Capture technology, showcasing future-oriented features and community integration. Chiayi's success lies in the joint cooperation of county government, private enterprises, communities, and local council, forming consensus and making waste management a demonstration case for resource circulation, also responding to the public-private collaboration and emission reduction strategies encouraged in the Air Pollution Prevention Plan. The Executive Yuan has set a target to resolve Taiwan's open-air garbage problem by the end of next year at the earliest and promote Chiayi's experience nationwide.
He stated that garbage should be viewed as a "resource" rather than waste and must be reduced at the source. Regarding environmental damage behaviors, the Ministry of Environment has collaborated with the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice to form joint environmental inspection and police action, targeting illegal disposal of construction surplus soil and waste, with plans to announce execution results in October, demonstrating the government's determination to protect the environment.
Lucao Incinerator Transformation Journey
County Magistrate Wong Chang-liang stated that Chiayi County produces more than 400 metric tons of garbage daily, and the incinerator can process up to 900 metric tons daily while also handling industrial waste. Site planning includes not only incineration and waste disposal but also ecological environmental education functions, with ponds and educational spaces in the park that will become an important base for environmental education in the future. It's not just a waste processing facility but also an important hub for environmental protection, education promotion, and improving people's livelihoods.
The Hobaoyu Park was formerly the Lucao Garbage Incinerator. From December 2021, the Chiayi County Government partnered with Taho Lucao Environmental Protection Company to launch the nation's first incinerator facility transformation project under the Act for Promotion of Private Participation in Infrastructure Projects. After more than 2 years and an investment of over NT$1.4 billion, 25 upgrade projects were completed, transforming a traditional waste disposal facility into a next-generation sustainability base integrating high-efficiency waste processing, resource circulation, ecological conservation, and environmental education.
Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming stated that the Lucao Incinerator in Chiayi County can be considered the best incinerator model in Taiwan. Photo by reporter Li Tsung-yu.
Chiayi County EPA Director Chang Hui-chuan introduces the Hobaoyu Green Sustainability Park. Photo by reporter Li Tsung-yu.
Waste Reduction - Collaborative Efforts by Government, Business, and Society
The renovation of the Lucao Incinerator and the Air Pollution Prevention Plan demonstrate the government's determination in waste management and emission reduction, but truly reducing total garbage volume still requires active participation from businesses and individuals.
If businesses reduce packaging during product design and improve recycling and reuse, resources can return to the circular economy. At the individual level, reducing single-use products, properly sorting recyclables, and choosing reusable containers and shopping bags can directly reduce the amount of waste entering incinerators and landfills.
These actions, combined with government-promoted incinerator upgrades and emission controls under the Air Pollution Prevention Plan, form a complete strategy of "source reduction + end-of-pipe treatment," truly achieving goals of waste reduction, air pollution reduction, and sustainable environment.
Reference: Taiwan's First Incinerator Transformed into Environmental Education Park: Chiayi County Lucao Incinerator Renovation Unveiled. (2025, September 21). Udn. https://udn.com/news/story/7326/9019366
