The main aims of this project, which commenced on May 6th 2021 and is to be completed on December 30th 2021, include the collection of measures observed worldwide pertaining to the prevention and reduction of municipal waste, the accumulation of baseline data on single-use plastic products in Taiwan, the planning and implementation of control measures pertaining to source reduction of single-use products, the assessment, auditing and recognition of green night markets, and the promotion of the concept of source reduction of municipal waste. The major outcomes of this project include the following: 1) The collection and study of policies, regulations and measures related to the usage reduction of single-use plastic products, plastic microbeads and biodegradable plastics; the proposal of measures and recommendations that aim to improve the management of source reduction of municipal waste and biodegradable plastics in Taiwan. 2) The accumulation of domestic baseline data on single-use products. According to surveys, it is estimated that currently in Taiwan, 9.1 billion plastic shopping bags, 3.5 billion units of disposable tableware and 3.3 billion single-use beverage cups are used annually. 3) Support in drafting the “Operational Guidelines on Usage Reduction of Disposable Tableware and Packaged Drinking Water for Administrative Bodies and Schools”, which was promulgated in September 2021; the shooting of campaign videos and the researching and drafting of related coordinated measures. 4) The proposal of the draft “Objects and Means of Restricting the Use of Single-Use Beverage Cups" and the coordination of relevant legal processes. Through restriction of material, increasing discounts and offers for customers who bring their own cups and introducing reusable cup rental services, the amount of beverage cups used is estimated to be reduced by approximately 25%. 5) Proposals to minimize the use of thermal paper, and discussions around guiding business operators to do so. It is estimated that the usage of thermal paper can be reduced by about 21% in the second half of 2021. 6) Conducting the assessment and coaching of green night markets, and awarding prizes to them. In total, 16 organization units have been ranked as “Exceptional” and 2 as “Worthy of Merit”. 764 business operators in total have achieved the “Eco-Friendly Vendor” label. The use of 10 million pieces of disposal tableware is estimated to be avoided each year. 7) Working with NGOs to organize plastics reduction events at markets to encourage the public to bring their own bags and use them as containers for their purchases.

Municipal waste, Source reduction, Single-use Plastic products, Drink cup, Environmental protection night market