The Ministry of Environment held a news conference Dec. 24 to call attention to regulations coming into effect Jan. 1, 2025, to require hotels and other types of accommodation to use less plastic.
According to the MOENV, operators will not be permitted to proactively provide six kinds of personal hygiene products: combs, razors, shaving foam, shower caps, toothbrushes and toothpaste. They are also required to put shampoo, conditioner, shower gel and lotion into large bottles starting no later than Jan. 1.
Speaking at the event, Environment Minister Peng Chi-ming said the measure responds to the global demand for carbon and plastic reduction. He added that it also aligns with the sustainable development concept proposed by the 2024 Paris Olympics.
To help operators comply, the MOENV said over 50 meetings will be held by the environmental bureaus of cities and counties around Taiwan, with various activities hosted and advertisements posted to expand public understanding of the measure. The ministry expects 460 million items to be saved each year, the equivalent of reducing carbon emissions by 2,500 metric tons.
In addition, the MOENV said it will provide subsidies for operators to cut the use of bottled water, in line with the country’s sustainable tourism goals.
Lin Hsin-jen, deputy director general of the Ministry of Transportation and Communications’ Tourism Administration, stressed the importance of green tourism during the event. The TA has set aside funding to assist operators applying for environmentally friendly labels and sustainability certifications next year, he said, adding that the administration is committed to shaping Taiwan into a leading green tourism destination.
Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)
