TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The Ministry of Environment (環境部) launched a plastic reduction initiative at 47 markets across Taiwan on Tuesday (July 2) in collaboration with local governments. The initiative, aimed at encouraging citizens to bring their own shopping bags, is expected to reduce the use of plastic bags by approximately 20%, or around 65 million bags.
Lai Ying-ying (賴瑩瑩), director of the Resource Circulation Administration within the Ministry of Environment, said, "Reducing plastic has been a crucial task in recent years. We hope to use fewer plastic bags in the markets and encourage finding alternatives."
Lai urged the public to develop habits such as bringing their own eco-friendly bags and packaging vegetables into one bag. However, she remarked that plastic bags that come into direct contact with food can still be used to ensure food safety and hygiene.
Wang Chuan-kuo (王銓國), head of the Taipei Nanmen Market Association (台北南門市場自治會), said he has communicated with vendors about the impact of climate change and hopes that the public will develop the habit of bringing their own shopping bags.
The Ministry of Environment will ask local market associations to provide shopping carts and second-hand bag recycling facilities. Vendors are also encouraged to ask customers about their bag needs and display signs promoting less use of shopping bags.
According to the Ministry of Environment, traditional markets, which currently account for 50%-60% of plastic bag use, will follow the "Market Plastic Reduction Promotion Guidelines" (市場減塑推動作業指引).
After launching the plastic reduction initiative in 47 markets this year, the ministry will ask local governments to propose additional markets for plastic reduction next year. An evaluation report is expected to be completed by the end of next year, followed by further discussion of subsequent measures.