Forum showcases Taiwan’s community-driven social solutions

TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan social entrepreneurs showcased innovative solutions for aging populations and environmental challenges at the Social Enterprise World Forum (SEWF) on Wednesday (Oct. 29). The "Spotlight on Taiwan" session featured local companies addressing sustainability and elderly care through community-driven approaches. Speakers demonstrated how Taiwan's social innovation ecosystem tackles demographic change and environmental sustainability challenges.

Chris Chou (周博恩), co-founder and COO of PackAge+, presented his company's reusable packaging solution for e-commerce deliveries. The startup addresses waste reduction through circular economy principles, targeting a change in consumer behavior and implementing sustainable delivery practices. Entrepreneurs shared how local challenges inspire innovative approaches to social impact across Taiwan's evolving ecosystem.

Chou emphasized his company's mission extends beyond waste reduction to transforming consumer behavior and scaling sustainable practices. "Our priority is to change that, and to achieve this, we must start with consumer behavior," he said, explaining the shift from single-use to circular packaging models.

Chou demonstrated PackAge+'s reusable boxes made from recycled plastic, designed for 30 to 50 uses with real-time tracking capabilities. The innovative packaging features QR codes for location tracking and collapses in three seconds for space efficiency, he explained during the presentation.

Willy Chi (紀鈞惟), CEO of Beatitudes Elderly Service, highlighted human resource challenges in Taiwan's rapidly aging society. "The biggest challenge is human resources. There are more people needing care, but not enough people to provide them," Chi explained. The elderly care platform CEO emphasized increasing stress on communities providing care resources.

Chi stressed economic preparation as crucial for communities facing aging population challenges. "The most important thing is money. Because it's stressful when you start taking care of the elderly," he said. The CEO warned that financial readiness determines communities' ability to handle unexpected elderly care situations.

Taiwan entrepreneurs demonstrated how local solutions address global challenges through innovative social enterprises at the forum. The presentations showcased Taiwan's growing influence in the sustainable packaging and elderly care sectors worldwide. Speakers emphasized the importance of collaboration between communities, businesses, and individuals as a key driver of meaningful social change. ◼