21-10-2023 (TAIPEI) A Taiwanese couple recently chose to commemorate their union by posing in front of a massive garbage dump. Their unconventional choice has garnered attention and sparked a conversation about waste disposal issues in Taiwan.
The photographs first came to public notice on Facebook when a leader of the local waste management team shared them on Saturday (Oct 14). He expressed his astonishment when his team stumbled upon the couple engaged in a photography session right in front of the trash heap.
These unusual wedding photos were taken in Puli Township, Nantou County. They depict the elegantly-dressed couple standing at the entrance of the garbage dump, with a towering mountain of rubbish just a few meters behind them.
Several images showcase the immense scale of the trash pile, with an excavator perched near its peak, rivaling the height of the neighboring buildings.
The bride, Ms. Iris Hsueh, shed light on their unorthodox choice to feature trash in their wedding photos. She explained that their intention was to raise awareness about the waste disposal problem in Taiwan, hoping that their photos would inspire others in the community to reduce waste generation.
Ms. Hsueh also responded to a question from a reporter regarding her awareness of the garbage disposal issue, despite not residing in the immediate area. She emphasized that waste disposal problems extend beyond a single county, affecting “every county and city” in Taiwan. She questioned how anyone living in Taiwan could remain unaware of the issue.
Her concerns are well-founded, as multiple media outlets have reported on the waste problem in Taiwan. A video posted by TVBS World Taiwan in July highlighted the accumulation of “9,000 tonnes” of trash due to a shortage of local incinerators, leading to the export of waste from Puli Township to other counties for disposal.
The employees at the waste management offices in Puli Township must also contend with the overwhelming stench emanating from the “garbage mountain” adjacent to their workplace.
Despite the grim circumstances, Ms. Hsueh injected positivity by inviting “everyone” to attend their eco-friendly wedding scheduled for January 20 next year. The couple plans to serve vegetarian dishes and even participate in a beach cleanup after the ceremony.
The initial post by the local waste management team leader showcasing the couple’s trash-themed wedding shoot quickly went viral, amassing over 1,100 likes and 129 comments as of Wednesday. Many internet users congratulated the couple for their environmental consciousness, while others playfully teased them about their unusual choice.
One Facebook user remarked, “What an amazing couple to have made such a move to change our culture! Love this!” Another humorously added, “This way, your husband will always smell better throughout your married days.”
The waste management team leader expressed his appreciation for the couple’s bold move in a subsequent Facebook post, emphasizing that if more people adopted similar ideas, Taiwan’s garbage problem could be mitigated. He urged society to consider the consequences of unchecked waste generation that future generations would inherit.
While some remained skeptical of the stunt and labeled the couple as “disgraceful” or “social justice warriors,” others defended the couple, highlighting their efforts to set an eco-friendly example and encourage guests to bring reusable utensils. One supporter noted, “Like that’s a bad thing? At least they are setting a good example by planning their wedding to be eco-friendly and vegetarian and even encouraging their guests to bring their own reusable utensils.”
