Taiwan is a small but highly populated island nation (1995 est. population: 21,501,000; 13,885 square miles) which lacks available space for siting disposal facilities. Furthermore, local residents often protest the building of landfills and incineration plants. As part of its comprehensive plan to reduce disposal needs, the government has enacted EPR measures targeting many materials including packaging, batteries, automobiles, and end-of-life consumer electronics. EPR policies in place in Taiwan include deposit-return systems, mandatory product take-backs, and compulsory environmental labeling.

Under its Waste Disposal Act, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration (TEPA) is empowered to require manufacturers, importers and sellers to recycle and process those products that (a) are difficult to clean or process, (b) contain materials that do not decompose for a long time, or (c) contain hazardous materials. Pursuant to the Act, TEPA requires recycling of containers, used tires, used cars and motorcycles, lubricant oils, batteries, televisions, air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, and computers and computer accessories. The recycling requirements were introduced gradually, with the PET requirements coming into force first, in 1989, and computer printer requirements effective January 1, 2001.

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