Opening the door to mountain views and driving out to the sea are simply part of everyday life in Taitung. Yet when faded drink cartons and plastic bottles begin to pile up at river mouths and along beaches, the environmental cost behind everyday convenience becomes harder to ignore. Reducing plastic waste should not remain a policy written on paper. It calls for everyone to take part through daily choices. From designating May 4 as the countywide Plastic-Free Day each year, to supporting businesses near night markets in becoming Plastic Reduction-Friendly Stores and promoting the Plastic-Free Eco Night Market, Taitung’s efforts have gradually moved from advocacy into everyday life, making reduced reliance on single-use items a practical choice.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
Making Plastic Reduction Easier through Incentives
In 2025, these individual efforts were brought together under Plastic Reduction i Taitung, shifting the focus from mandatory restrictions to rewards and convenience. Customers who bring their own food containers, utensils, or cups can receive discounts. Through the LINE Official Account, they can also find participating businesses and collect reward coins, making plastic reduction feel as easy as earning points during an everyday purchase. The number of participating businesses has grown from a few dozen at the beginning to 65. Combined with business guidance and pop-up campaigns at night markets, reducing waste at the source is no longer just a slogan, but something people can do as part of their daily routine.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
A Rewave Cup in Hand
On Green Island and Lanyu, visitors can now be seen carrying the Rewave Cup. Its name combines Reuse and Wave, while also drawing on the image of the rising sun. In Chinese, the name also sounds like the phrase for “refill,” adding another layer to its message of continuous reuse. Instead of looking like an ordinary plastic cup, it comes in a warm milk-tea shade with an easy-to-hold handle, making people more willing to carry it around. To find out where to borrow or return one, users only need to check the Rewave Cup LINE account. They can buy a cold drink, finish it, and return the cup without making a special detour. On the main island and across the South Link region, slow food businesses and market vendors have also joined the program. Customers who bring their own food containers receive discounts, allowing plastic reduction to become part of everyday dining habits.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
Cleanliness Matters Most
At county government meetings and public events, stacks of paper cups have gradually been replaced by the Nong Hao Reusable Cup. In Taiwanese Hokkien, “Nong Hao” means “everyone is well,” turning each cup into a small blessing.For many people, the main concern about reusable cups is whether they are clean. After use, the cups are first sent to a local social welfare organization for initial washing, then transferred to a professional company for high-temperature disinfection. They also undergo regular SGS testing. In other words, hygiene and peace of mind are built directly into the process. The initial cleaning is carried out by members of The Parents Association for the Mentally Handicapped Persons in Taitung, adding employment opportunities to the environmental value of reuse.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
From a Cup of Black Tea to a Night Market Snack
Change does not need to be loud. From August to November alone, the Rewave Cup program on the offshore islands recorded 378 rentals and returns, along with nearly 15,000 discounts for customers bringing their own cups. This reduced the use of approximately 215 kilograms of single-use cups and drinkware. Across the main island and offshore islands, more than 30,000 instances of people bringing their own containers were recorded within just three months.Even those who forget to bring a cup still have another option. Markets now feature an electric three-wheeled Reusable Container Promotion Vehicle, where visitors can register on site, borrow containers for free, and return them after use. From a cup of black tea at a breakfast shop to a snack at a night market, Taitung is quietly weaving sustainability into the rhythm of daily life.
(Photo credit: Taitung County Government)
