Taiwan’s musical garbage trucks keep streets clean and residents connected

A decades-old waste collection system in Taiwan continues to draw attention for its unusual but efficient approach: garbage trucks that play classical music to alert residents when it’s time to take out the trash.

In Taipei and other cities, yellow compaction trucks playing “Für Elise” or “Maiden’s Prayer” make daily rounds, prompting residents to gather on footpaths with bags of pre-sorted waste. The trucks operate five days a week in the late afternoon or evening.

The system, in place since the 1960s, requires people to hand over rubbish directly, reducing street litter and cutting down on illegal dumping. General waste is tossed into the main compactor truck, while food scraps and recyclables are separated into bins carried by a second vehicle.

While some residents say the schedule is inconvenient, especially if they’re not home, others — particularly older citizens - say it’s a chance to socialise and stay active. Some, like 76-year-old Yang Xiu-ying, have turned the task into a paid service, collecting waste from neighbours and bringing it to the trucks on their behalf.

Digital services have also emerged. The app-based service Tracle allows users to book rubbish pickups, offering a more flexible option for people with busy schedules.

Taiwan’s waste management policies have significantly evolved over the past 30 years. In response to overflowing landfills and pollution protests in the 1990s, the government introduced strict sorting rules, expanded incineration capacity, and promoted recycling.