TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan faces a daunting environmental challenge as approximately 30 million umbrellas end up in landfills annually. Discarded umbrellas, often left in parks and MRT stations, contribute to environmental burdens due to their composite materials that deter recyclers from accepting them. To combat this issue, companies are developing umbrellas with replaceable parts to reduce waste.
Chen I-chang (陳奕錩), vice general manager of Ta Chen Fong umbrella Co., Ltd. (大振豐洋傘有限公司), emphasized the convenience of these innovative umbrellas, which can be assembled in about five minutes by replacing only the damaged parts. His company is collaborating with the Resource Circulation Administration, Ministry of Environment (環境部資源循環署), and the Taiwan Design Research Institute (台灣設計研究院) on this initiative.
The Resource Circulation Administration held a press conference (Dec. 8) to showcase the 2025 achievements in circular design. Ying-Ying Lai (賴瑩瑩), director of the administration, highlighted the event's focus on advancing product use of recycled materials and complete recycling practices, aiming to promote responsible production and consumption. Meanwhile, Chang Chi-Yi, president of the Taiwan Design Research Institute, highlighted the event's contribution to the development of products and services that are 'easy to recycle, repairable, and extend life cycles', thereby integrating circular thinking into various aspects of society.