Greenpeace is calling on Taiwan’s government to expand restrictions on the use of plastic to cover traditional markets, snack shops, and drink shops. That’s amid an uptick in plastic usage in Taiwan over recent years despite existing restrictions.
Since 2002, Taiwan has worked to limit the use of plastic. Already, 14 types of businesses, including supermarkets, convenience stores, department stores, and wholesalers are subject to plastic-use restrictions.
However, plastic bags and other forms of plastic are still common at traditional markets, snack shops, and other kinds of businesses not covered by these restrictions.
On Wednesday, Greenpeace said that economics ministry statistics show an 11% increase over the last decade, despite existing restrictions on their use. During the same period, Greenpeace says, statistics show that the use of paper containers and disposable utensils in Taiwan has gone up 37%.
Greenpeace also says that a poll has shown that 42% of Taiwan’s people support expanding a ban on dining establishments from giving straws to customers eating in. In July last year, Taiwan introduced such a ban, but it only covers fast food restaurants and restaurants in department stores and shopping centers. The same 42% also believe the straw ban should extend to take-out orders as well.
Greenpeace also cited data showing that 69% of Taiwan’s people support increasing incentives for using reusable cups or bottles, or for making the use of disposable cups more expensive.
Taiwan has set a goal of becoming the first place in Asia to ban disposable plastic altogether. The goal for achieving this is 2030. However, Greenpeace says it has found that 80% of Taiwanese are unaware of this goal.