- Contact Person: Mr. Chan Ching-ke, Section of Information
- Telephone: 037-559828
- Publication Date: 15:18, May 25, 2026
In response to the circular economy and net-zero carbon emission policies, the Miaoli County Government held a press conference on the 25th on the Recycled Asphalt Recycle Utilization Policy. The plan is to integrate sustainable public works concepts into the 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival, introducing recycled materials and low-carbon construction measures to the festival's construction and related public facilities to create the first "large-scale event with the utilization of recycled materials" for the nation. Magistrate Chung Tung-chin declared that recycled materials would become a new resource for public construction and large-scale events, proactively heading for a new milestone in "sustainability, recycling, and carbon reduction." Most of all, he expressed strong confidence in the application of this new resource in the Lantern Festival venue.
The press conference on the recycling utilization of asphalt was held in Conference Room A401 of the County Government Building, and was chaired by Magistrate Chung Tung-chin. Attendees included heads of various departments of the County Government, including the Department of Industrial and Commercial Development, the Department of Transportation and Public Works, the Department of Water Resources, the Department of Digital Affairs, Research and Evaluation, the Department of General Affairs, and the Environmental Protection Bureau. Participants included Wan Hao-peng, Deputy Director of the Green Energy Institute of the Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI), Chih-hao, Deputy Group Leader of the Green Energy Institute, Peng Chin-miao, Chairman of Lian Yue Sand and Gravel Enterprise, Lai Yao-hsing, Honorary Chairman of the Asphalt Industry Association, guests from co-working organizations, and representatives from related industries. In the meeting, Chan Tsai-ping, Director of the Department of Industrial and Commercial Development, and Dr. Chen Chih-hao of the ITRI first explained the reasons for the county government's initiative to promote the high-value utilization of recycled materials and expected benefits, technology used for the full recycling of road paving materials, challenges and innovative solutions for the reuse of asphalt scrap, and the data used to demonstrate the products that meet national standards.
The reason the county government is promoting this policy is to incorporate the ITRI's technology into the full recycling of road paving materials. This technology exceeds its competitors from countries like South Korea, and won Gold at the 2026 Edison Awards – a top award in the industry. It also represents the international recognition of circular materials technology for Taiwan, and further symbolizes Miaoli's practical actions to transform the concept of the circular economy into realization of public works. Lian Yue Sand and Gravel Co., Ltd. not only contributed funds, effort, and a site, but also jointly promoted the high-value application of circular materials. Magistrate Chung Tung-chin thus presented an award to express his gratitude.
Wan Hao-peng, Deputy Director of the Green Energy Research Laboratories of the ITRI, expressed his gratitude and support from the county government, Lian Yue, and the business community, which have enabled ITRI's leading and innovative technology to be successfully implemented. Wan noted that Miaoli's high-quality aggregates and full cooperation of the local government made it the ideal location for the national, perhaps even the world’s, first demonstration site. Wan stated that the ITRI is most willing to work with the National Land Management Agency, the Highway Bureau of the central government, and local township and city offices. He hopes that after the successful completion of the nation's first demonstration site, all counties and cities will participate in the project so that resource reuse and recycling can benefit future generations. Lai Yao-ming, Honorary Chairman of the Asphalt Industry Association, represented the industry in affirming the cooperation of the ITRI with the county government and that innovative recycling technology can be used to solve long-standing problems for businesses.
Magistrate Chung Tung-chin affirmed and expressed thanks to the Green Energy Research Institute team of the ITRI, Lian Yue Sand and Gravel Company, and the business community for their cooperation in launching the asphalt recycling policy. He recalled that when the asphalt stockpiling controversy first erupted in southern Taiwan six months ago, it sparked heated debate and criticism among the general public. The cause of the controversy was the large volume of debris from road excavating, leading to unavoidable stockpiling that would inevitably open the door for illegal activity. However, Magistrate Chung believed that if businesses could legalize their operations so that no one would violate regulations, controversy could be mitigated. Chung emphasized that Miaoli's pioneering utilization of high-value recycled asphalt gives it a significant advantage over other counties and cities in Taiwan.
This recycling mechanism from the ITRI is expected to reduce the amount of stockpiled materials and consequently decrease the amount of natural sand and gravel mined. Procuring asphalt is becoming more challenging, especially given recent international conflicts. By adopting alternative measures, reuse and recycling initiatives, and when technology matures and road paving costs decrease in the future, the government can pave more roads with same budget. After all, smooth roads, bright lights, and accessible waterways are important and impactful government policies, therefore road improvement projects are top priority for all county and city governments.
County Chung Tung-chin stated that since the policy of high-value recycled materials was initiated and the recycling capability of asphalt by Lian Yue endorsed by the National Land Management Agency, the county government will make use of recycled asphalt in all venues of the 2027 Taiwan Lantern Festival as host of the event next year. Used areas will be fully paved with recycled asphalt for the first time, and will be tested and analyzed to confirm that they meet standards. Magistrate Chung is extremely confident about the technology and testing phase.
Chung emphasized that Miaoli County is taking the lead in conducting recycling and reuse testing at the lantern area. With its advantageous conditions, the innovative technologies developed by the Green Energy Institute, and support from Lian Yue Sand and Gravel Company, the county government will work diligently to speed up the creation of a sustainable, circular, and carbon-reducing advanced city.