Taiwan\’s Trash Trucks Play Classical Music and Boost Car Races
Taiwan’s Melodic Trash Trucks: A Century of Sound and Service
Soundwaves that Signal “Take Out the Trash”
Since the 1960s, yellow garbage trucks equipped with a pre‑programmed soundtrack have become a familiar daily ritual on the island. When Beethoven’s “Für Elise” or Tekla Badarzewska‑Baranowska’s “Maiden’s Prayer” stirs the air, residents of Taipei, Taichung, and other cities know the moment to gather their bags.
- Clockwork rhythm: The trucks arrive late afternoon and evening, five days a week, prompting households to line up their sorted refuse.
- Community of the elderly: For seniors, the event transforms into a social gathering, offering a brief respite from routine chores.
- Physical exercise: Residents find the trash‑dumping trip serves as a gentle form of movement.
Positive Echoes and a Few Hurdles
78‑year‑old Lee Shu‑ning shares, “When we hear this music, it signals it’s time to take out the trash. It’s very convenient.” However, not everyone appreciates the fixed schedule.
31‑year‑old beautician Dai Yun‑wei remarked, “The fixed timing can be inconvenient because sometimes we’re not home or we’re busy, so we can’t throw away the trash.”
Economic Incentives and Creative Solutions
Shyu Shyh‑shiun of Taipei’s Department of Environmental Protection explained that Taiwan initially imported German garbage trucks pre‑loaded with “Für Elise,” but the origin of “Maiden’s Prayer” remains an enigma.
Yang Xiu‑ying, 76, has turned her service of sorting and loading trash into a living profession: she earns ₱11,200 a month from 28 households who depend on her to manage their refuse.
Meanwhile, young entrepreneurs of Tracle launched an app that allows users to book a specific time slot when their trash will be removed. Ben Chen, co‑founder, stated, “Our value lies in saving a lot of time for them, thus enhancing their life quality.”
Evolution of Taiwan’s Waste Management Act
Over the past 30 years, Taiwan’s waste‑management legislation has undergone significant reform. The economic boom produced a surge in garbage production, scarcely recycling, overflowing landfills, and air‑ground pollution protests. In response, the government increased recycling rates, incineration capacity, and mandated that households sort and drop their trash in designated trucks—rather than leaving it on streets.
Recycling and Incineration Trends
- Recycling rate rose from 2 % in 2000 to nearly 67 % today.
- Incinerated garbage has dropped by two‑thirds.
Shyu explained that residents initially perceived the new system as inconvenient, but as streets cleaned up, the public largely accepted the policy as beneficial. The trucks themselves, according to the department, are almost always on time.
Conclusion
From the lyrical cues of Beethoven to the practical rhythm of waste collection, Taiwan’s musical garbage trucks illustrate a humble yet profound way in which logistics, community, and sustainability intersect. As the island continues to refine its waste‑management practices, these trucks keep humming—reminding all that a well‑swept path is a sound one.
