The Municipal Waste Disposal Scheme (MWDS) was established in 1984, with burial as the main disposal method. In addition, in 1991, the "Garbage Disposal Plan" was formulated, with "incineration as the main method and landfill as a supplementary method" as the main axis of garbage disposal. The EPA submitted a report and suggestions on waste disposal to the Executive Yuan (Taiwan's Cabinet) in 2003 to promote Zero Waste and to launch the policy of "waste minimization and resource recovery". In view of the concept of zero waste proposed by advanced countries in the world, a review of our country's garbage disposal method has been conducted, and the former end-of-pipe disposal method has been gradually adopted as the main method of source reduction and resource recovery. The plan includes source reduction resource recycling audit control and reporting, source reduction resource recycling audit document review and education training, policy planning and promotion implementation, promotion of resource reuse, and maintenance and update of network platform. The plan is currently underway until December 29, 2022, and a summary of the results according to the objectives of this project is as follows.
1. Control and reporting of source reduction resource recycling audits
The program has completed 2,222 source reduction resource recycling audits, and all audits were completed in accordance with contract specifications. 777(700) units of disposable tableware, 100(100) units of plastic particles, 613(600) units of disposable cups, 100(100) units of dry batteries, 100(100) units of plastic trays, 300(300) units of over-packaging products including 100 pieces of measured testing, 30(30) units of e-commerce packaging products, 200(200) units of PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) in food packaging. The number of cases received, in descending order, was 55 for single-use takeaway cups, 30 for disposable tableware, 2 for over-packaging and 1 for dry batteries and plastic trays, with a total amount of 89 cases recieved. This year, a high percentage of inspection cases passed, while 3 cases of over-packaging and 1 case of disposable tableware have failed.
2. Source Reduction Resource Recovery Audit Document Review and Education Training
(1) The program has assisted in the review of battery heavy metal applications. 71 applications have been reviewed, and omissions were often found in the clarity of battery photos, discrepancies in the wording of data sheets, and printing of documents.
(2) A total of 13 reports on the results of the plastic tray audits were accepted on March 31, 2022, and the manufacturers are required to submit the plastic trays and packaging reduction plan by November 30, 2021.
(3) 6 training sessions were organized for 460 inspectors from the cleaning teams and 1 training session for 8 staff implementing the program. A total of 4 workshops were held to explain the implementation of the guidelines on reducing the use of free cutlery and packaged water in institutions and schools and the restriction on the use of single use drinking cups, and 9 forums were held to promote and execute environmental policies.
3. Policy Planning and Promotion Implementation
(1) Promotion of eco-friendly shops: 28 new shops and businesses have been added, bringing the cumulative number of shops to 450, and a promotional event was held from April 20 to June 24 to expand publicity and reduce the use of at least 5,000 disposable cups and containers.
(2) reBAG platform construction and operation: The reBAG platform inventory, addition and distribution of second-hand bags have been completed, with a total of 312 operating locations and 1,350 plastic bags, 2,522 paper bags and 460 eco-bags distributed in the second-hand bag section.
(3) The promotion of non-plastic night markets or shopping areas: The promotion of non-plastic night markets or shopping areas has been completed since December 10, with 69 stalls located at the Xinzhuang Old Street Night Market and Ji Sui Shopping Area received a total of 2,484 reusable tableware and reduced 60,000 uses of disposable tableware and cups.
(4) Promoting plastic reduction in the catering industry: 55 restaurants have been guided to use reusable tableware for self-delivery or in combination with delivery meals. In addition, 448 restaurants in New Taipei City were guided to offer discounts to consumers for bringing their own shopping bags, eco-cups, eco-containers or cutlery.
(5) Large-scale events to promote plastic reduction: The event was held on April 16 alongside the "2023 New Taipei City Railway Relay" and on October 29 coupled with the "2023 Guanyinshan Marathon", using the New Taipei Ucup recycling cups to reduce the use of disposable products at source, estimated at 46,000 pcs.
(6) Promotion of plastic reduction or source reduction event: Partnered with food delivery platform, Loopick, a total of 44 businesses have participate to promote eco-friendly food deliverance service in New Taipei City. The promoting event have reached 196 orders since launched, with a total of 14,166 disposable container was reduced.
(7) Promotion of plastic reduction and reusable package: Continuously promote the EPA's " New Taipei Ubox" brand of recycled packaging, the project provides 4,000 recycled packaging materials and 1,000 promotion products for use in online shopping delivery in collaboration with Watson.
(8) Source reduction or plastic reduction policy: 47 public market has joined the “New Taipei City Public Market Shopping Plastic Bags Reduction Project”, a total of 108,972 plastic bags, accumulated to 6,538 KG of carbon emission was reduced since July.
(9) Introducing reusable cups to professional sports events: Collaborating with Fubon Guardians and Loopick, held a total of 20 reusable cups promotional events in Xinzhuang Baseball Stadium. Cumulatively 114,940 attendances had participated the events, 10,474 reusable cups were borrowed and 9,507 were returned, with a 90.74% returned rate.
(10) Promotion of disposable tableware reduction of roadside banquet catering businesses: Assisting EPA in establishing a list of 41 roadside banquet businesses in New Taipei City and organize 1 forum session. A total of 7 businesses had applied for subsidies to reduce the use of single-use products, the project aimed to aid rented and purchased non-disposable tableware and sum to reduce 206 pieces of plastic tablecloths and 13,726 disposable tableware.
(11) Promotion of accommodation supplies policy: In tandem with the Ministry of Environment’s “Restrictions of single-use accommodation supplies” policy announced on July 17, organize 1 session of forum, provided 20 cases of on-site guidance and promotional materials, and investigate the current reduction situation.
4. Promotion of reuse of resources
(1) Second-hand goods reuse promotion: 1 promotional campus event was held at National Taipei University, and 3 second-hand flea market were held which second-hand businesses and institution were invited, a total of 15,000 people were exposed to the event.
(2) Second-hand exchange promotion: 793 businesses were added to the “National Unused Goods Treasure Map”, accumulate to 901 second-hand businesses in New Taipei City.
5. Maintain and update the web platform
(1) Source Reduction Management Database: 100% of this year's audits have been completed and will continue to be maintained and updated during the implementation of the plan.
(2) New Taipei Plastic Free Shopper Friendly Map: The list of businesses that maintain friendly shops, “reBAG Bag to Bag”, “Rent to Buy” and Secondhand Repair Station has been completed.
