Kaohsiung Recycling Dispute Ends in Mutual Complaints: Father, Son and Sanitation Worker All Referred to Prosecutors
An argument in Kaohsiung over whether a car spoiler could be recycled ended with three people filing complaints against one another — bad news for frontline sanitation staff.
- A 73-year-old man tried to hand a car spoiler to a recycling truck. The sanitation worker said it was not recyclable, and the two began arguing.
- The man's son arrived on the scene to argue the case and was accused of yanking at the recycling truck's door, as well as declaring that he would "get a city councillor to put on pressure" and "deal with this after work."
- The sanitation worker filmed the entire incident to gather evidence and filed complaints of obstruction of official duties and intimidation; the elderly man countered by accusing the worker of hurling abuse and filed a complaint of public insult.
- Police accepted complaints from both sides, and all three people have been referred to prosecutors for investigation.
- The Environmental Protection Bureau reiterated that car spoilers are general waste and cannot be handled as recyclable material.
Outlook: Prosecutors will investigate the case to determine responsibility, and police have urged the public to raise any questions about law enforcement or regulations through proper channels.