A temporary garbage-truck worker in Taichung has been charged with corruption for taking recyclables home and selling them, the latest graft case to hit the city's environmental agency.

• The 32-year-old worker skimmed metal scrap, faucets, laptops and batteries from collection rounds over about eight months.
• He sold the material at a recycling depot, earning NT$9,900 in total.
• He said he did it because money was tight after his child was born.
• Crews spotted the thefts last year, and he turned himself in to the anti-corruption agency and handed back the money.

Outlook: Prosecutors have asked the court to reduce or waive his sentence, since the amount was small and he confessed.