Citizen Detectives Earn Thousands by Reporting Litterbugs

Environmental Protection Agency's "No Cigarette Butt Littering" Policy Rewards Vigilance with Significant Payouts.

Maintaining a clean environment is a collective responsibility, and the Ministry of Environment's "No Cigarette Butt Littering" policy is empowering citizens to contribute. Since its announcement late last year, the Environmental Protection Bureau in Miaoli County has processed 1,149 reports of illegal cigarette butt disposal between January and April of this year. Notably, one diligent citizen filed 630 reports at the Service Area on National Freeway No. 3 in Xihu, resulting in earnings exceeding NT$120,000.

Recently, a netizen shared their experience of receiving a reward for reporting cigarette butt littering, sparking considerable discussion online. The individual posted a screenshot of their "October 113 (First Batch) Reward Payment" on the Facebook group "Bao Yuan 3 She" (爆怨3公社). The document detailed a report filed on June 21, 113, including the offender's license plate number and a fine of NT$1,200. From this, the netizen received a reward of NT$120, which, after a 20% tax deduction of NT$24, amounted to NT$96. The netizen expressed surprise, stating, "So, reporting cigarette butt littering really does come with a reward!"