Taiwan Implements Disposable Restrictions

From the May 2002 RLI, copyright 2002 Raymond Communications, Inc.

Taiwan’s EPA has announced that the first phase of restrictions on plastic shopping bags and disposable dishes will take effect July 1st of this year.

Targeted under the category of disposable dishes are cups, bowls, plates, saucers, and boxes that are designed to be used once.

The first phase is set to apply to restaurants and stores in government-run organizations, public and private schools, government-run enterprises, and military installations.

Legislators and manufacturers in Taiwan have criticized the EPA for not fully considering the effects the policy would have on the economy and water supply shortage, given that reusable dishes consume a lot of water for washing.

Despite the opposition, EPA administrator, Hau Lung-bin, says he believes regulations are necessary to control the “over-use” of plastics by the population. EPA says 20% of the country’s garbage is plastic --10% more plastic waste than most developed countries.

The new waste law allows the government to ban various plastic packaging. Retail polystyrene foam is impacted by the new rules. PS foam makers are concerned about this law and other similar authorizations in Asian countries, including Korea and the Philippines.

They held a meeting in Australia to discuss strategies for dealing with the new policies in May. (RLI will have details from U.S. foam makers in a later issue.)

Environmentalists and legislators are also opposed to the cancellation of payments for people who collect PET bottles set for the end of March.

EPA said the cancellation of payments is due to a financial loss of USD $66 million from recycling PET bottles in the last ten years.

Legislators predict the cancellation would hurt garbage collectors and eventually discourage recycling. Environmentalists say instead of cancelling refund money, the EPA should carry out stricter audits of PET-bottle manufacturers that understate their production of PET bottles in order to pay less in fees.

Contact: Taiwan EPA, +886-2-2311-7722 ext. 2610