The plastics industry, which is well-developed in Taiwan, highly relies on finite stocks of fossil feedstocks. To achieve goals of maximizing the use of resources and minimizing the impact of environment, the Environmental Protection Administration of the Executive Yuan (EPA) has launched the "Project of promoting a circular economy model of plastic resources"(hereinafter simply called the Project). So far this year, we have proposed the roadmap of plastic circular economy in Taiwan. Based on the four major aspects of green production and design, consumption pattern change and market creation, recycle and reuse, and secondary material recycling cycle, key strategies have been established. The targets for 2040 are to reduce 5 million tons of CO2 emission, to reduce the amount of disposable by 50%, 100% of recyclable plastic packaging to be recycled, and at least 35% recycled content across plastic packaging. In order to improve effectiveness of resource usage, we have analyzed material flow of overall plastics and plastic packaging. Approximately 12.73 million tons of plastic resources were imported per year, with domestic recycling rate about 9.09%. It is estimated that the environmental benefits of promoting the plastic circulation can reach 4.612 billion NT dollars in 2040. In addition, approximately 1.619 billion NT dollars in output value, 685 million NT dollars in GDP, and 240 new jobs can be created. In order to promote circular economy model of plastics in Taiwan, we have visited 10 industries and launched 2 green deals, including the recycling alliance of packaging film, and promoting plastic container to increase recycled content. Furthermore, we studied international standards of using recycled materials in food containers, as a reference for the development of relevant standards in Taiwan. Standards of plastic recycled material verification system were also studied in the Project. Based on the implementation results of the Project, it is recommended to continue to review laws and regulations, strengthen extended producer responsibilities, lead to change consumption patterns and create markets, set substances of concerns and management measures, update baseline data, and strengthen propaganda. Through the Project, to gradually establish the completeness and applicability of plastic circular economy model in Taiwan, assist EPA to understand current domestic and international trends, and to facilitate the planning and formulation of policy in the future.

Plastic, Circular economy, Plastic packaging