Department of Information and Tourism, Taipei City Government

According to Item One, Article 4 of the “Taipei City Social Welfare Organizations Engaging in Used Clothing Collection and Recycling Management Code” social welfare organizations for the physically or mentally disabled or underprivileged may apply to the Taipei City Department of Environmental Protection for approval to set up used-clothing collection bins. Only such organizations are eligible to operate used-clothing collection bins or carts. Recently however, city residents have discovered additional mobile used-clothing collection bins taking up space on roadsides or in parking lots around Taipei City. An investigation determined that these bins were registered outside of Taipei City; two belonged to a garment business, one to a private company, and two to an individual. As these bins do not belong to social welfare organizations, as set forth in the “Taipei City Social Welfare Organization Engaging in Used Clothing Collection and Recycling Management Code”, the Taipei City Motor Vehicle Office has demanded their removal before the end of February, 2009 based on other regulations controlling mobile advertising vehicles. In addition to posting notices on the bins, the Motor Vehicle Office has also notified the owners in writing. To efficiently utilize the city’s parking resources and maintain the cityscape, the Taipei City Motor Vehicle Office will step up enforcement of regulations on used-clothing collection bins beginning in March. Any city resident who discovers such bins by the roadside is asked to report them directly to the Motor Vehicle Office for further action. (Tel: 27630155 ext. 411)