Beethoven's 'Für Elise' prompts Taiwanese residents to dispose of their trash
In the streets of Taiwan, the sound of classical music is not uncommon. Instead of coming from a concert hall, it's emanating from the canary yellow-coloured garbage trucks.
The tradition of using classical music as a signal for waste collection began in the 1960s when Taiwan imported German garbage trucks. These trucks were already equipped with Beethoven's "Für Elise," which became a solid staple of Taiwan's soundscape. Over time, Tekla Bądarzewska-Baranowska's "Maiden's Prayer" was added to the trucks' musical repertoire, though the exact reason for its inclusion remains unknown.
The music plays over loudspeakers on the trucks, typically five days a week in the late afternoon or evening. This consistent auditory cue helps regulate household waste disposal on schedule, making it convenient and reliable for residents.
For many, especially older people, hearing these classical pieces signals not just an alert to take out trash but also a chance to socialize with neighbours and engage in light exercise while waiting for the truck. While some find the fixed timing inconvenient, the musical cue remains a distinctive aspect of Taiwan's waste management system and local culture.
Under Taiwan's waste management policy, people hand-deliver their rubbish to collection trucks. This practice, combined with the use of classical music, has made Taiwan a largely litter-free society. However, Taiwan once had a reputation as "garbage island," but the decades-old policy has helped turn the tide.
Foreign visitors often mistake the garbage trucks for ice cream vans due to their music. The sight of elderly Taiwanese residents gathering around the trucks, chatting and exercising, creates a unique and charming scene that is appreciated by others. The community aspect that the singing trucks encourage in Taiwan is something that sets it apart from many other waste management systems around the world.
In 1997, the singing garbage trucks were first introduced, and since then, they have become a beloved part of Taiwan's culture. Stories of couples meeting while waiting for the tuneful garbage trucks are not uncommon. The tradition of using classical music to signal waste collection time has become a long-standing, practical, and cultural tradition that enhances social interaction, especially among the elderly.
[1] Taiwan's Singing Garbage Trucks: A Cultural Tradition [2] The Musical Garbage Trucks of Taiwan [3] Taiwan's Singing Garbage Trucks: A Unique Cultural Practice
[1] In cohesion with Taiwan's home-and-garden lifestyle, garbage trucks are adorned with classical music, such as Beethoven's "Für Elise" and Tekla Bańdzarewska-Baranowska's "Maiden's Prayer," providing a melodious background to everyday life.
[2] The integration of classical music into the waste management lifestyle of Taiwan has transformed the ordinarily mundane task of disposing of rubbish into a social and enjoyable event, making it a prominent feature of the contemporary Taiwanese lifestyle.
