In Tainan’s Jiali District, the morning light has barely touched the horizon when the iron gates of the recycling station are pulled open. Amidst the rhythmic clinking of glass bottles and the rustle of plastic bags, stacks of newspapers grow taller in the corner. As the recycling trucks arrive laden with discarded resources, local residents settle into their tasks with the steady focus of seasoned professionals. This daily flow of activity serves as the backdrop for a community dedicated to protecting the earth.
Rising with the sun
For Li-Chu Hsu (許麗珠), a volunteer from New Taipei City, the journey to document the Jiali Recycling Station began with a return to her roots. Originally from Tainan's Qigu District, she had spent over forty years in northern Taiwan. In July 2025, after Typhoon Danas caused significant damage to her hometown, Hsu returned for ten days to assist with relief efforts.
The aftermath of the storm brought an overwhelming volume of recyclables. Coordinator Yen-Chiu Huang (黃炎秋) worked alongside volunteers to manage the surge of materials, some of which had been soaked in floodwaters. Even as the disaster recovery teams raced against time to repair homes, the recycling station became a hub of silent persistence. Hsu observed how the mountains of discarded items stood as a testament to the power of nature and a reminder of the need for environmental mindfulness.
LEFT: Mei-Chun Li (center) opens the rolling door at dawn to begin sorting recyclables in the corner of the station. RIGHT: Coordinator Yen-Chiu Huang (right) and Mei-Hsiang Hsu (left) collect materials from a local factory. | Photos: Hsiao-Che Huang
Strength in resilience
The volunteers at Jiali prove that age and physical challenges are no barrier to contributing to the community. Wu-Hsiung Tu (杜武雄), 83, spends five days a week at the station. After decades of running a factory in Fujian, China, he returned to Taiwan and immediately sought a way to remain active. His energy encourages other retirees to join the efforts, proving that life after retirement can be filled with vitality.
Nearby, Po-Yuan Huang (黃伯源) meticulously folds newspapers. Diagnosed with spinocerebellar ataxia at age 45, he was once told by doctors that he might not survive another year. Now, twenty years later, he remains a fixture at the station. Although his movements are affected by his condition, he finds joy in the physical work.
Every Wednesday, Chien-Chung Hung (洪建中) starts his route at 6:00 a.m., collecting materials from fixed points and local schools before returning home to care for his grandson. He notes a shift in societal habits over the years.
The spirit is great, and the body becomes healthier the more I do! In the past, people were thrifty and used things until they were broken. Now, people discard items even if they look new or have only minor flaws. If everyone were willing to cherish things more, there would be less waste in the world. — Chien-Chung Hung, Volunteer
LEFT: Coordinator Yen-Chiu Huang (right) is capable of handling heavy physical labor, including moving recyclables and tying ropes. RIGHT: Wu-Hsiung Tu (left) volunteers five days a week, either organizing materials or driving the recycling truck. | Photos: Hsiao-Che Huang
A legacy of persistence
The Jiali Recycling Station has a long history, dating back to 1990 when Dharma Master Cheng Yen first called for the public to "protect the environment with clapping hands." Before moving to its current location in 2023, the station moved several times, operating out of empty houses, vacant lots, and even a bamboo grove.
For many, the station is a place of healing. Tao Li (李桃), 82, has been sorting glass bottles since 1990. After her husband passed away and they closed their family appliance business, she found a new focus in recycling. She sorts bottles by color, finding that the repetitive, meaningful work helps her let go of personal worries.
Similarly, 77-year-old Mei-Chun Li (李美純), a former construction worker with a pacemaker, joined the station to stay active. She finds that having a task to complete each day keeps her spirits high and her life productive.
LEFT: Chou Su-chen (center) carefully monitors plastic bag recycling by removing any materials contaminated with oil, debris, or stickers. RIGHT: Po-Yuan Huang (center), who lives with cerebellar atrophy, expertly folds and stacks newspapers in a corner of the station. | Photos: Hsiao-Che Huang
Finding peace through action
The station also relies on experts like Su-Chen Chou (周素真), who oversees the plastic bag section. Her sharp eye ensures that only clean, recyclable materials are processed, turning what many consider trash into useful resources. Another volunteer, Ah-Chih Chen (陳阿枝), found that the work helped her manage her temperament. Initially put off by the smell of the recyclables, she eventually committed herself to the task, finding that focusing on the present moment brought her a sense of inner peace.
Coordinator Yen-Chiu Huang has also grown through her role. Having faced the loss of two family members in a short period, she found solace in the support of fellow volunteers. She admits that managing the station comes with pressure, but she has learned to lead with patience.
It was my own issue; my personality was too anxious. When I asked others for help, my tone wasn't good, which also brought pressure upon myself. I understand that I must constantly adjust, slow down my pace, and speak more gently to make this path of recycling sustainable and joyful.
— Yen-Chiu Huang, Recycling Coordinator
The Jiali Recycling Station is sustained by about sixteen regular volunteers, with others joining on designated recycling days. Together, they turn simple, repetitive actions into a significant impact, proving that protecting the planet is a task that brings health, community, and value to every stage of life.
Written by Li-Chu Hsu (許麗珠)
