Single-use plastic straws will no longer be provided to those making dine-in purchases at department stores, educational institutions, fast food outlets, government agencies and shopping centers starting July 1 in Taiwan.
Announced in June 2018 by the Cabinet-level Environmental Protection Administration, the measure does not cover biodegradable or plastic straws for takeout purchases. This is likely to be implemented if public response to the initiative is favorable.
According to the EPA, an online poll conducted last month revealed 82 percent of respondents support the ban, surpassing the 70 percent recorded in a nationwide telephone poll in November 2018.
Agency statistics compiled over the last decade identify plastic straws as the second most commonly appearing item of trash on Taiwan’s shorelines after polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, bottles. It is expected the measure will remove 100 million straws from circulation per year.
The EPA initiative is in line with the ministerial declaration by 179 participating member states at the Fourth Session of the U.N. Environment Assembly committing all signatories to significantly reducing single-use plastic products by 2030. It also dovetails with the new law approved by the European Parliament March 27 banning single-use plastics across the EU by 2021.
Under the EPA’s existing disposable plastics reduction plan, the use of shopping bags, single-use drink cups and tableware will be restricted by 2025 and banned by 2030. (SFC-E)
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