Yuzu Peel: Food Waste or Trash? Regulations Vary by City, Fines Up to $6000 NTD for Improper Disposal

Eating yuzu during the Mid-Autumn Festival? Don't just throw away the peels! According to the "Waste Disposal Act," failure to sort waste properly can result in fines from $1200 to $6000 NTD. Regulations differ by city: ⭕ Taipei, New Taipei, Taoyuan, Taichung, Changhua, Tainan, Kaohsiung, Yilan, Kinmen, and others generally classify yuzu peels as soft fruit peels, considered food waste. They must be drained and disposed of in the food waste bin. ⭕ New Taipei will abolish the separation of raw and cooked food waste starting in 2026. Keelung, Hsinchu City, and Miaoli classify them as hard fruit peels, similar to durian shells, and they must be disposed of as general trash, not mixed with food waste. 🔴 Don't rush to throw away yuzu peels; the Council of Agriculture suggests these reuse methods 👇 ✔️ Cut the green outer skin into shreds and dry it to use as a natural mosquito repellent. ✔️ Soak the green part in 75% alcohol for a week, filter, and then mix with coconut oil, a foaming agent, and water to make a natural dish soap. ✔️ Dry them, put them in a mesh bag, and place them in the refrigerator or wardrobe for deodorizing and insect-repelling effects. ✔️ Wash and make a few cuts, then soak in a hot water bath for relaxation. ✔️ Yuzu peels can also be used to wipe kitchen grease or placed in the sink strainer to reduce odors. ✔️ They can be boiled into yuzu tea, which is environmentally friendly and practical. ✔️ Yuzu peels can be made into natural mosquito repellent, which is one of the reuse methods recommended by the Council of Agriculture. The Environmental Protection Bureau reminds the public that classification rules may be adjusted by each city. Before disposal, check your local Environmental Protection Bureau's website or call 1999 or inquire with the sanitation team. Food waste should be drained and free of plastic bags, and hard fruit peels should not be mixed with food waste. If you are unsure about your city's regulations, be sure to check the latest announcements to avoid fines for improper disposal. Correct classification not only prevents fines but also transforms yuzu peels into useful household items, making the Mid-Autumn Festival more environmentally friendly.